If Republicans had any heart at all they'd lift the filibuster and let it pass with 59

[eleny]

Knowing that Senator Brown is at his mother's funeral memorial and how ill Senator Kennedy is, you would think they would stop applying the screws this one time.

But no. They force Senator Brown to return in the face of his family tragedy.

This ought to be made into something really, really big in the way of public relations in the months to come. Something huge.

They can never be expected to care about anything but their own self interests.

On Edit: Since some here say we have to have 60 for this vote - Then one Repub can change their vote for the sake of decency. Thanks to all who weighed in with clarity on procedures.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. "If Republicans had any heart at all..."

Ha.

And if my aunt had wheels she'd be a pastry cart.

And the people in Hell want ice water.

[eleny]

6. We could use this episode to illustrate what you say

Over and over until they gag on it on their way to political oblivion.

[Blecht]

2. If Republicans had any heart at all,

they wouldn't be Republicans.

[librechik]

3. They took a pledge to never vote yes for any Democratic initiative in the Congress

I think we should believe them, no matter how unpatriotoc and bizarre it seems under the circumstances.

[bdamomma]

25. I think they made that pledge a long time ago.

[Soupy Liberaltarian]

4. Budget Act requires 60 votes deficit spending. n/m

[eleny]

10. So one of them could change their vote - it amounts to the same thing

In the name of decency - once they learned that Brown would definitely return.

[bigtree]

12. they can wave the budget act by a unanimous consent vote

I'm not sure the act 'requires' 60 votes on the compromise since the House passed it first. I think that's a republican ploy.

[pleah]

5. They don't, so, they won't.

:-(

[Ocracoker16]

7. Actually we need 60 votes because the bill will increase the deficit

That is a rule that I just found out about today. i thought it was the Republics pulling the usual crap, but another DUer told me today.

x(

[eleny]

11. I understand now - so please see my reply #10 above

Thanks :hug:

[LSparkle]

8. Hey -- RatBastard came off the Plastic Ponderosa for Terri Schiavo ...

:sarcasm:

[eleny]

14. I almost forgot about that episode

Their priorities have been forged in hell.

[Siwsan]

9. No heart, and no soul

And, according to Arlen Specter, no fingerprints.

[eleny]

19. How ghastly

[glowing]

13. How many times does this 60 vote thing need to be explained to people.

Its a spending bill.. it takes 60 to pass. Another reason to work really hard for a 60+ senate majority.

[eleny]

15. So, one of them can change their vote

A little decency isn't too much to ask.

[Ocracoker16]

22. Unfortunately the Repubs aren't too big on decency

[bdamomma]

26. now if Franken was there we would have more than 60 votes.

damn these repigs, I just want to kick them!!!

[eleny]

28. "...damn these repigs, I just want to kick them!!!"

Oh, you sure made me smile. Simple eloquence! :hug:

[bdamomma]

29. oh they just get me so upset, cowards and hypocrites they all are.

[the_chinuk]

16. Regardless of the nature of the majority required ...

The title kind of poses and answers its own question.

Republicans have no heart and no compassion. They certainly have no soul, at least as I define it.

[eleny]

18. Yunno, I think that was a central point

And I think we ought to run like heck with it. It could be turned into a public relations nightmare if we get it right.

At every turn in the future when new legislation is discussed, it can be pointed out how they are without soul and can't be trusted to understand the needs of working people.

[the_chinuk]

23. Well, that's what I tell everyone I talk to.

Remember when we had that big 'ol, generous $300/taxpayer "pre-bate" back about 2003 or something (I think it was)?

I was talking to one of my cow-orkers about it and laid it out frankly to her, that is, that that payment was coming out of proceeds that we were going to get as tax refunds, and that her refund would be a little lower as a result.

Needless to say, she was appalled.

At that point, I layed on her, all maxim-like "Don't thank any Republican for a favor they do you until you get the bill".

There are three things of principal importance to any Republican:

1. Money
2. Money
3. Money

And when they know that you have a few extra bucks, they have an aneyurism wondering how their money got into your pocket. Life's so unfair.

[eleny]

17. I added an edit with thanks to all who explained the need for 60 votes

:hug:

[Stinky The Clown]

20. You'd think, huh?

But no. It isn't in their DNA.

[malaise]

21. Rushicans are like rejected spouses

after a divorce - nasty, bitter, spiteful and willing to destroy the entire family to prove that everyone else was wrong except them. Fuck all of those losers.

[bdamomma]

24. did Sherrod Brown show up yet? his vote is the winning vote.

where is he traveling from Ohio?

[eleny]

27. I heard on tv that he should be there around 10:30 PM...

And that they gave him use of a gov't plane for the trip.

[bdamomma]

31. I just want him to get there, I don't trust these repigs at all.

[Jack Rabbit]

32. Patience.

It's a quarter past nine in the east.

[RagAss]

30. I expect nothing from them but hatred, intolerance and loyalty only to their wealth.

One day we're going to really wake up.

[Spazito]

33. I agree, one repub could change their vote...

It is going to pass with Senator Brown's vote so it's not as if the repub would risk much and it would show a modicum of compassion for one of their fellow Senators.

Sadly, there is NO compassion to be found in ANY of them. They are despicable, imo.

[Patsy Stone]

34. If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a bus.

:hi:

[eleny]

35. Gotcha, for sure

:hi: