Some People Here Seem to be Mocking the Senate Leadership

[On the Road]

for the no-confidence vote that was not able to meet cloture. Look:

I Understand the argument that the Democrats should pursue impeachment, non-confidence votes, or other measures that are bound to fail simply on principle.

I understand the argument that pursuing these measures has no practical effect and may be politically counterproductive.

What I do NOT understand is both (a) supporting supporting efforts which are bound to fail and (b) mocking the Democratic congress when they do. That seems extraordinarily perverse.

The outcome of the vote and the blowback from the no-confidence measure was entirely predictable. Immediately, it causes loss of political momentum and the ability to get more doable measures passed. It may conceivably have longer-term benefits.

Personally, I think it's significant that the non-confidence vote had a majority. That should be the story.

Attacking Senate Democrats because they could not muster 60 votes with 49 Senators is ridiculous and self-destructive.

[aquart]

1. I'm wondering if we couldn't sell impeachment

by pointing out that the next president will have ALL the unchallenged power Bush has accrued to himself? Do Republicans really want a Democrat who can make little signing statements? Withhold documents? Lie outright at any time for any reason?

[On the Road]

4. We Would Need 17 Senators to Switch

18 if you include Lieberman. I can't see that happening in the current situation.

The hearings are making a difference and should continue full steam. There is lots more to discover -- possibly even things so bad that more Republican support will break free. But it's clear it isn't there yet.

[aquart]

8. I know, I know.

[On the Road]

9. That's Why I Started That Other Thread

on what actions the leadership can take with only a slight majority.

I am very, very happy that the Dems took both houses last year. I believe they are trying to listen to their base and be practical at the same time.

It just seems that when they mount a losing campsign to make a point or on principle, they get pilloried by partisans from both sides. Yet when they don't do it, they get torn apart, too.

It's possible that some of this could have been handled better from a political and media point of view. But most critics seems to feel that simply being in the right counts for something. I just want the party to get stronger rather than tear itself apart from unrealistic expectations.

[BootinUp]

2. What some are overlooking

is that 7 repukes splitting from the admin on the record makes this a significant vote.

[Tellurian]

3. yes, that was an important happening..

testing the water with a non-threatening Bush/Cheney issue.

I read this morning, some of the Repukes are afraid of retribution from the WH. The ones who have committed have crossed over the bridge at the point of no return. Hopefully, they will stick with us for another try at the next IRW Resolution.

[illinoisprogressive]

5. even if they got the no confidence vote, nothing could be done about it.

the AG is appointed by the president and therefore, only Bush can fire Gonzo. Even if the congress got the votes that is as far as they can go.
I think some people forget to assess things in what is reality or common sense.
they get either over passionate or too purist. I've been around long enough to know that is useless. go for what is able to be done.

[On the Road]

6. No, Congress Can Impeach a Member of the Cabinet

but absent sufficient votes, censure or no-confidence measures have a long history.

The practical differences are not clear to me, but I do not know why Reid chose the latter, especially when censure has a longer history in this country.

[jumpoffdaplanet]

7. They need to be mocked

They didn't have the guts to stop funding the iraq occuption.

So this no-confidence vote was a very lame attempt to pretend they still matter.

And it's was so lame they couldn't even make a useless vote happen. They couldn't even get all the senators running for president to vote on it.


So they will be mocked for the useless fools they are and will forever be.


I am truly sorry if it bothers you.

[depakid]

10. The so called "leadership" has earned its stripes repeatedly

over the past 7 years.

All we're seeing -and all we're likely to keep seeing, is more of the same.

As I mentioned when the Dems won back the Senate- cats don't change their stripes, and the DINO/DLC block of the party will NOT stop legitimizing and enabling the far right- either on policy matters- or on nominees.

Please, Harry Reid, prove me wrong on that last point and follow through with your threat to block recess appointments.