Is Harry Reid negotiating to let Coleman keep his office, staff, etc. in return for McConnell's help

[OregonBlue]

with blocking Burris? I read that Reid was meeting with McConnell about Coleman, I also read he was meeting with McConnell about Burris, so quid pro quo? Reid is spineless. How do we get rid of him. Do we start a petition? Organize protests? Mass email? We really do need a Senate leader with a spine!!

[no_hypocrisy]

The business of the Senate is a series of trade-offs.

That's why this chamber is less rankorous than the House.

[ShortnFiery]

2. Give me The HOUSE any day. I much prefer "rankorous" to "smarmy." eom

[OregonBlue]

16. So they help block Burris and we let them block Franken, even if he is rightfully elected?

ROLAND BURRIS:Reid meeting top Republican to Plan

Reid said he expected to meet with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Monday evening in hopes "we can solve this issue on a bipartisan basis." Reid added, "I'm on old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate."

Such dealmaking might also involve Minnesota's drawn-out Senate race, which has Democrat Al Franken ahead by 225 votes as a statewide recount drew to a close. The state Canvassing Board was to reconvene Monday to declare which candidate received the most overall votes in the election. Senate Republican leaders have said the chamber should not seat Franken until all legal matters are settled, even if that drags on for months.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/04/roland-burris-reid-meetin_n_155068.html

[babylonsister]

1. Meeting w/McConnell about Coleman? Do you have a link?

Thanks. This is the first I've heard of that.

And no, I hardly think that's what Reid is doing.

[KittyWampus]

3. It's more fun to make shit up. Especially if it involves elected Democrats

[Deja Q]

4. *ding* *ding* *ding* We have a winner!

and people think I need to seek medical attention; I can't hold a candle compared to some who really dig this stuff up out of la-la land without so much a sentence or link claiming proof that is what's happening.

[OregonBlue]

10. Up yours!!!!

[OregonBlue]

9. Here's a link. I'll find others. There was a long discussion on Daily KOS a couple of days ago about

this very thing. I've read it in several places.

It is possible, however, that all of Coleman's privileges may remain intact should the two parties reach an accommodation, and aides signaled that talks were occurring on the matter through Friday.

“We are still reviewing the situation,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "Norm Coleman should respect the conclusions of the Minnesota State Canvassing Board."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17005.html

[babylonsister]

11. Thanks.

I honestly don't think Coleman and Burris and their separate problems have anything to do with each other. And now that Franken has won so many more votes, even the rethugs might have to concede, though I'm pretty sure they won't go down without a fight, no matter how ridiculous they look.

[OregonBlue]

26. I hope you're right. Several outlets have connected the two but perhaps they are in no way

connected. Just speculation on the part of Politico and Huffington and Kos, etc. Agree that now that Franken looks like the winner, it will be harder to "negotiate" for Coleman.

[ProSense]

12. This is routine until the election is certified

Since he has not been certified a winner in the race, Coleman may have to give up his privileges as a senator, including his desk on the floor, his personal office and his right to vote on legislation, according to Democratic aides familiar with the rules.

Some of his staff members could continue to get paid for up to 60 days if they do not find new employment, but each eligible aide would need to return every two weeks and sign an affidavit to certify he or she has not found new work. Coleman still would be able to enter the Senate chambers and meet with his colleagues on the floor, since former members are granted floor privileges so long as they are not registered lobbyists.

It is possible, however, that all of Coleman's privileges may remain intact should the two parties reach an accommodation, and aides signaled that talks were occurring on the matter through Friday.

“We are still reviewing the situation,” said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). "Norm Coleman should respect the conclusions of the Minnesota State Canvassing Board."

<...>

The state canvassing board is expected to certify a winner next week, and it’s unclear whether either Franken or Coleman would try to claim the seat following that certification. Doing so would spark a backlash since the fight over the election returns will ultimately land in court — and perhaps the Senate, which has a constitutional role in resolving election disputes. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the chief GOP campaign strategist, said he would block any attempt to seat Franken in the Senate until litigation is resolved and a winner is certified.

[OregonBlue]

18. Reid added, "I'm on old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate."

Reid said he expected to meet with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Monday evening in hopes "we can solve this issue on a bipartisan basis." Reid added, "I'm on old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate."

Such dealmaking might also involve Minnesota's drawn-out Senate race, which has Democrat Al Franken ahead by 225 votes as a statewide recount drew to a close. The state Canvassing Board was to reconvene Monday to declare which candidate received the most overall votes in the election. Senate Republican leaders have said the chamber should not seat Franken until all legal matters are settled, even if that drags on for months.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/04/roland-burris-reid-meetin_n_155068.html

[ProSense]

20. It's routine until the election is certified. Reid made the statement about his role in the process

MSM using it to relate to both the Coleman and Burris situations.

[fla nocount]

19. Replied to wrong poster. Self delete. n/t

[OregonBlue]

21. I've been reading about Reid "negotiating" with McConnell for days. Assumed others had too.

I'm really surprised that I would be attacked for bringing this up. I don't tend to be a chicken little. Guess some people here actually like Harry Reid but to me he's a spineless DINO. Maybe it's not true but it's all over the net and of course, since I don't trust him, I believe it. Perhaps I'm wrong but it's not like it hasn't been reported.

[fla nocount]

24. I feel ya, but look at the posts. You're solid in your complaint.

There's but a handful of folks willing to defend Reid and they're all party monkey's. If you remember, many are the "THANK GOD IT PASSED" crowd that also forgave and defended Lieberman. They're a fringe group here, vocal and vociferous yes, but still a fringe group. The use of talking points and running in a pack give them away.

Count the posts, there's more for ya than agin ya. Thinking people still own DU if not the party's policies.

[DefenseLawyer]

5. Coleman has promised Reid a truckload of ShamWows

Hard for anyone to turn down an offer like that.

[Captain Hilts]

6. What on earth are you typing about vis a vis Coleman. Are you crazy? nt

[OregonBlue]

15. Here's another link. Read the full article at Huffington Post.

Also read the Politico article.

ROLAND BURRIS:Reid meeting top Republican to Plan

Reid said he expected to meet with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Monday evening in hopes "we can solve this issue on a bipartisan basis." Reid added, "I'm on old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate."

Such dealmaking might also involve Minnesota's drawn-out Senate race, which has Democrat Al Franken ahead by 225 votes as a statewide recount drew to a close. The state Canvassing Board was to reconvene Monday to declare which candidate received the most overall votes in the election. Senate Republican leaders have said the chamber should not seat Franken until all legal matters are settled, even if that drags on for months.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/04/roland-burris-reid-meetin_n_155068.html

[Enrique]

7. DU has called for Reid's removal so many times it's funny

ok, so you think Reid's spineless and ineffective. What about the people that don't like him. What have you done to get him out. You talk about a petition, what's stopping you, let's see it.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

8. No no no, they're going to do a mass e-mail!

Which has been such a productive tool, historically speaking.

[Enrique]

13. sounds pretty spineless

not to mention ineffective. We need new leaders for the anti-Reid movement!

[natrat]

14. no negotiating -just trying to make it look the least crooked as possible

that piece of shit reid belongs in attica or levenworth getting pounded on

[Proud Liberal Dem]

17. "let Coleman keep his office, staff, etc."

:wtf:

If Coleman doesn't win and thus gets seated (which is how things look right now anyway) then how's he going to keep his office, staff, etc.? Do former Senators get to retain their office, staff, etc. if they're....um..........no longer in office?

Is Reid, dare I say, trying to sell Franken out by (possibly) agreeing to support Coleman's challenges against Franken and seat Coleman while his challenges are pending?

If so, Harry REALLY needs to go as majority leader if not resign as a Democrat and join the Republican Party! :mad:

[natrat]

22. this is as brazen as these crooks have been-why doesnt obama call reid out for the garbage he is

[Enrique]

25. so you think it's true?

or even plausible?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

29. I don't know if it's true or not (just responding to what has been posted here so far)

Plausible? Well, knowing HR as we all seem to, why not? Caving to or making (bad) deals with the GOP or GOP boosters like Lieberman seems to be his speciality

For the record, I hope any rumors of "deals" with McConnell, Coleman, et. al are just unfounded rumors and that nothing underhanded is going on.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

23. He won't keep it.

This hysteria is stupid, stupid, stupid.

[backscatter712]

27. I'm suspecting that after yesterday's returns it won't happen.

With Franken's lead expanded, attempts to seat Coleman won't be credible.

Reid literally would risk losing his status as Majority Leader if he did that.

[OregonBlue]

28. These articles don't say that he would agree to seat Coleman but only that he might allow him to

keep his office and his staff. McConnell does not want Franken seated. So what they are speculating is that McConnell would help Reid block Burris in return for not insisting on seating Al and not forcing Coleman out until all court challenges have been resolved.

I agree that the gains by Franken yesterday might change the negotiation but I still believe that Reid may not push for seating Franken. Coleman could not vote but would not be stripped of the office either.

[book_worm]

30. You do know that republicans could block seating Franken until court challenges are over, don't you?

if they are meeting it may be to discuss these matters. I don't see anything sinister.

[backscatter712]

31. If Reid had a spine, he'd be talking to Snowe and other moderate Republicans right now.

He'd be offering them some tasty porkbarrel earmarks or something, or threatening to take pre-existing pork away if they don't vote for cloture.

We have an effective majority of 57 right now (not counting Franken or Burris) so we only need three Republicans to cross the aisle and deliver a cloture bitch-slap to McConnell.

Of course, Reid doesn't have the stomach for doing what's right...

[high density]

32. nevermind

lameness