Lott Breaks Deadlock Between Frist, Reid

[Jon8503]

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The dealmaking instinct can be hard to shake when one has been Senate majority leader and might again seek that post. Exhibit A: Former Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., who broke a two-week deadlock between his successor, Sen. Bill Frist (news, bio, voting record), R-Tenn., and Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., over the ratio of Republican and Democratic negotiators on a bill to secure the future benefits of millions with defined benefit pension plans.

Frist said the split should be 7-5; Reid insisted on 8-6.

The debate devolved Friday into bickering over other issues.

Frustrated, Lott could not contain his inner majority leader.

"We're at loggerheads here. Shouldn't be," he said on the Senate floor. "I have a novel idea: Go up to 9-7 or go down to 6-4."

"I'll take it," Reid declared. "Nine-to-seven and you've got a deal."

Rest of article @ link below:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060304/ap_on_go_co/pensions_lott;_ylt=Ap5Mv1_j_3SvmqImY2zBk1yyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

[Poppyseedman]

1. I hope Reid was being stubborn for a reason other than plain old

stubbornness.

There seems to be a lot bigger fish to fight over than how many people are on a committee, since the rethugs will be in lockstep anyway.

It would be interesting to know why?

[acmejack]

2. I watched this and it went by me...

Trent looked, dare I say it, adult. I may still be harboring lingering resentment over the the Patriot Act sellout, or maybe the Bankruptcy sellout, or maybe the war powers act sellout, or perhaps it was that thing with Alito, maybe I'm still sore about, ah, just forget it!

[slaveplanet]

3. The way Lott made it sound

There were many senators that wanted on this particular committee on both sides, and that was causing the delay. Frist was insisting on a 3 pug majority...Reid was right to oppose him.

Friday was an interesting day in Senate ...Reid gave a good speech , that was pounding the thugs, and Frist had to come running to the floor and try to deflect. Then we know about the Frist letter later on that day...I wonder If that's what he was working on when he had to come running back to the floor?

Friday thread- http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x564868#565105

Frist letter-
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x573297

[Poppyseedman]

4. I see. Politicians want to be able to suck up to their

constituents and say I was on that committee:

"Sorry the rethugs sold you down the road, we tried to stop them. I'm a wonderful guy, please vote for me again"

Hell, make the committee size 55 to 45 so everybody is happy. No wonder politicians rank behind used car salesman in opinion polls

[rocktivity]

5. Reid is as dumb as a fox and as wimpy as a lion

Behind his nerdy, milequetoast demeanor is an iron fist in a velvet glove.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Warren Stupidity]

6. yeah well whatever.

The only time I felt like Reid was on our side was when he shut down the senate on a procedural motion over the intelligence failure round two committee. That lasted all of one day. Meanwhile the committee never met, the opposition party continues to not oppose much of anything, and it is bidness as usual in that gentlemen's club.

They are establishing a one party tyranny and our 'opposition party' "leadership" is going along with it.

[Poppyseedman]

7. in what parallel universe is that true?

"iron fist in a velvet glove" Right !!!