What will the poor White House do now that they're caught between Nelson and Sanders?

[cali]

Giving in to Nelson may well cause Bernie (and some others) to jump off the boat. Nelson won't vote for cloture without more anti-choice crap and who knows what else.

The White House is in a very tight spot.

And frankly, I think it's in good part their own actions that put them there.

[Cleita]

1. I would like to be a fly on the wall in the Oval office and listen

to whom is blaming whom.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Some of it is the WH's fault--however, Ben Nelson comes out ahead

in Nebraska by his opposition, the GOPers eat it up--it was just a matter of time before he did his song and dance. I don't see any way around this except reconciliation, really.

[democrat_patriot]

3. They negotiate with Nelson who is a Democrat.

And throw Sanders (I) under the bus.

They do whatever they need to do to get a bill passed.

As long as it says Health Care Reform in the bill, or even in the title of the bill.

[TwilightGardener]

4. Still not to 60 votes without Sanders, I don't think. They'd have to woo Snowe again.

Good luck with that.

[cali]

6. they can't get cloture without Bernie's vote. that makes it awfully hard

to throw him under the bus.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

5. This is not bad actually. With one obstructionist, it's easier to argue that we should accomodate.

But now Nelson's tossed his hat in with Lieberman. And if Sanders and the Progressives stand firm, then reconciliation is the only option left.

[Andy823]

17. Yep.

And as you said that might not be so bad! If they can pass something that makes sense for the people of this country through reconciliation, then they need to go for it. The idea that Lieberman and Nelson, or for that matter any democrat with ties to the insurance companies, is insane! Pass something good through reconciliation and then tell Leiberman where to go and take away his chairmanship position. Let him see just how much the republicans like him if he is of no use to them any longer!

[wryter2000]

27. I think you're right about that

This makes it look as if the whole thing is unravelling, rather than just the progressives having a hissy-fit.

[dgibby]

7. If they cave to Nelson and make abortion funding anymore

restrictive than it already is, then I hope every progressive Dem in Congress walks away from this pos.

[wryter2000]

30. I'd sure lean on Boxer to walk away n/t

n/t

[dgibby]

34. Me too, even tho she isn't my senator.

I contributed to her, so hope she'll listen to her supporters.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[gratuitous]

12. Nope, the Obama administration didn't do any of that

Perhaps, though, instead of telling us what the Obama administration didn't do in regards to the Senate, its members or its rules, just what has the administration done to make the Senate more representative? Poll after poll has shown very high support (over 60%) for a public option, and even higher support for single payer. I don't recall seeing President Obama use his bully pulpit to reinforce these public wishes, to pressure recalcitrant Senators, or to indicate that crossing such a majority of the American people might have adverse electoral consequences.

[tekisui]

13. Obama is the leader of the majority party in the Senate.

Is he powerless?

I'm sick of POTUS-baggers handing out excuses like candy.

[grytpype]

21. This is why libs can't govern.

The libs were good at tearing down Bush, with good reason, but now they they're in government they are irresponsible and infantile.

They can't face reality, and if they do they burst into tears.

[tekisui]

29. This is why centrists can't govern.

They beg for liberal votes and take all the liberals' money and then drop them in a matter of months.

Then, they lose.

[TornadoTN]

45. The "Libs"?

I see someone has been listening to too many AM Right-Wing Propaganda.

[dgibby]

15. And I'm sick of you using the term "leftbagger".

It's nothing but flame bait, but you know that, don't you?

[grytpype]

18. Well look at whose side they're on.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

16. Since we're registering opinions, I'm sick of assholes who use terms like "leftbaggers"

[AllentownJake]

19. Someone needs a hug

[dgibby]

22. Thanks, Jake. I needed that!

:rofl: :rofl: :yourock:

[rurallib]

23. Think that leftbagger will get some traction?

[dgibby]

32. If it doesn't , it won't be from lack of him trying.

He's like a broken record.

[laughingliberal]

25. Had I, one time, seen a hint that Obama stood up, in the least, to the Senators

who are holding this bill hostage, I would say you have a point. But his team has been behind the scenes pushing this bill toward the Baucus philosophy from the jump. I didn't let myself believe it for a long, long time. But the Conservadems have been doing his bidding all along while providing him political cover with the base.

[cali]

26. sod off. call me names and I will respond, honeypie.

listen up little kumquat, I don't take kindly to your brand of crap. so, sweetums, take it and shove it and shove it good and hard.

[lapfog_1]

28. You are absolutely correct.

Obama didn't create this mess.

But, when HE did call a caucus meeting of all of the Senate Dems, what did he tell them?

And THAT is something that he is responsible for. He could have told them that he would veto the bill as currently crafted, instead he gave the marching orders to close ranks and get something, apparently anything, passed.

And that is why I'm angry with Obama.

He did that. He finally got off the sidelines and pressured them to pass something, even this piece of crap. And that's not what I was expecting when I voted for (and worked my ass of for and donated a huge amount of money to) "change I can believe in".

[suffragette]

33. What is this leftbagger nonsense?

On DU?
Really?

:wtf:

[AllentownJake]

35. One of the Field Organizers from the campaign tried using that term on my Facebook

yesterday.

Simple response

FUCK OFF

[suffragette]

41. I've just been noticing it lately

Was there a memo or something?

Bad enough to encounter it elsewhere, but on DU?

Hell, no!

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[suffragette]

38. You? Is that like "you people"?

What do you know about me or my views?

Is the sign I have the one in my sig line about power?

You're making strong and serious accusations without jack to back them up.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. If they made Nellie & Co. filibuster, O's approval would go through the roof.

(Not just the anti-choice crap)

Progs would like it it.

Indies would respect it.

And the GOP would have overstepped.

[n2doc]

10. I suspect their answer will be to blame "liberal extremists"

and put all the pressure they can on Sanders to vote for cloture. That is all they really want. They will get their 50 blue dogs , 1-2 repubs, and loyalists after that.

[FBaggins]

11. There's some confusion on that

A number of senators have indicated that they can't vote for the bill if "x" is still there (or not there).

That's not necessarily the same thing as being willing to join a republican filibuster attempt.

I fully expect that if we ever get a bill (good or bad), the final vote on the bill will gain 52-54 yes votes. A number of democrats will hang with us to clear cloture, but they vote against the final bill to retain political viability in their state. Once it passes (IF it passes), few will care much what your vote on cloture was if you voted the "right" way on the final bill.

When Lieberman says he opposes the bill, I think he's willing to join republicans in a filibuster. Other democrats may just be making noise to justify their final "no" vote on the bill itself... not a filibuster.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

14. I assume (hope) giving in to Nelson would lose a few female senators also

[lapfog_1]

20. Old English saying...

Once you pay the Danegeld, it's hard to get rid of the Dane.

i.e. once you give in to one extortion (Lieberman), you can expect more extortion (Nelson).

[laughingliberal]

43. Yes, I believe that is the basis for our stand that we don't negotiate with terrorists nt

[wryter2000]

24. The Whitehouse had better not go along with a Stupak-like amendment

:mad:

[TiberiusGracchus]

31. I predict we'll be hearing Gibbs and Axelrod calling Senator Sanders IRRELEVANT on national TV

[cali]

37. they need his vote on cloture just as much as they need Nelson's.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

39. Given the White House's recent actions...I find the question rhetorical.

And, the answer to it obvious.

[spanone]

42. checkmate

[Hippo_Tron]

44. The White House needs to sit down, take a deep breath and re-strategize

We're at an impasse, no doubt about it. Fortunately there is still a good deal of time left before this congress ends. Time to get creative and start thinking of different ways to pull some strings.

[damntexdem]

46. Hold their arms closer to their bodies.

It helps when going down the drain. ;-)