What was achieved with 60 votes?

[lsewpershad]

Didn't we have 60 votes during most of 2009? Why is it now we feel as if the world would come to an end if we lose Mass? Isn't it time that the democrats realize that 60 votes does not assure anything?
Isn't time that Obama call in Pelosi and Reid and together FIND ways to get things done for America without 60 votes? For the sake of all, stop making excuses and find ways to get things done.

[still_one]

1. That 60 votes is a misrepresentation, and implies that there is group think among Democrats /nt

[jsamuel]

2. actually, no, we didn't have 60 until Franken was sworn in in July

that is less than "most" of 2009

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. No, we didn't have 60 votes. We had 60 elected Dems.

When 15% of the elected Dems are closet Republicans, the two do not equate.

[DCBob]

7. Actually 58 elected Dems + 2 Independents..

= 60 in the D caucus.

[invictus]

4. Bailouts

[Romulox]

5. 1) We got a LOT of money to a LOT of wealthy bankers;

2) More money for endless war!;
3) :shrug:

[AlphaCentauri]

6. expose the republicans in the democratic party n/t

[Kablooie]

8. Nothing was achieved because soon with 59 all initiatives will die. Including healthcare.

It's all been a lot of angst over absolutely nothing.

AND THE REPUBLICANS GET THEIR WAY AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!

AND AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Why don't we just dissolve the Democratic party.
It's a complete waste and a sham.

[frazzled]

9. A hint that we're still trying to get 60? (and bad news about MA?)

I sometimes read the Morning Roundup on TPM, which, among other things, gives the president's and vice-president's schedules for the day.

One thing I noticed on Obama's schedule for today, sandwiched between an education visit and other things, was a meeting with Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio.

Is this a Hail Mary trying to recruit Voinovich--who is retiring and has sometimes bucked his party (though so far this year, not at all)--to be the 60th vote for HCR in the Senate? I doubt it would work. But am I reading too much into this anyway? Is it a sign they think Coakley will lose and a desperate attempt to get another vote?

[Salmonslayer]

13. Who is to say that Obama can't

persuade a Republican to vote with democrats on issues.

Here is an article regarding Voinovich on Michele Malkins website. The conservatives seemed to be concerned too.

http://michellemalkin.com/2010/01/19/is-george-voinovich-going-to-screw-the-gop-on-health-care/#comments

[frazzled]

14. Ooh, I can't go so far as to click on that link

it would give me the heebie-jeebies.

[Salmonslayer]

22. I assume you are somewhat joking, but,

I find reading opinions from all sides helps me form a more well rounded opinion than if I just read articles and opinions on DU.

[laughingliberal]

19. Could be something to it.

If he doesn't need to run a reelection campaign he would be able to cross the aisle with no political price to pay.

[Motown_Johnny]

10. someone doesn't watch enough Rachel Maddow

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#34833567



Watch the whole thing, it starts with Palin but then proves how wrong she is.

[gcomeau]

11. What planet are you posting from?

58 people with 'D's next to their name plus two supposedly left leaning independents (one of those being Leibermann for fuck's sake)do not equal "60 votes". It equals 60 people we'd like to think we could maybe get to vote the same way if we whack them over the head hard enough... sometimes... possibly... if the vote itn's too controversial or politically risky for them.

Welcome to reality land. What do they call the place you're posting from?

[Ghost Dog]

12. Plenty! I'm upgrading the yacht:

http://www.superyachttimes.com/
(and the private security: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/07/06/security.yachts.pirates/index.html ).

Thanks, adios, suckers.

(Nb. This is (bitter) sarcasm).

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/depression-chic-styles-mirror-a-depressed-economy

[leeroysphitz]

15. We seem to have had 60 cats to herd all moving away from each other at red shift speeds. n/t

[wuushew]

16. When did we have 60 showing up to vote?

Byrd is essentially an invalid. He needs to retire for the good of the party and his state, not vainly seek glory breaking longevity records and dying in office.

[Soylent Brice]

17. the only problems i see with losing Mass is

it would be a huge slap in the face of Ted Kennedy.

also, it would be an enormous bruising to the entire party.

i don't think we'd witness the downfall of the entire party, but it'll sure as hell sting for a while.

[laughingliberal]

20. Also a probem if we need to get any SC justices confirmed

Will be impossible to get anyone with any left leaning tendencies through.

[Soylent Brice]

24. good point. slipped my mind. fucking peachy.

[laughingliberal]

25. Not the most attention grabbing point but the one with the most impact over time

Sucks.

[asdjrocky]

18. Nothing. Zero. Nada.

[Orsino]

21. This presupposes that the Democratic agenda could do a lot for America.

When a couple of dozen Senate Dems actively work against the interests of American families, sixty isn't a magic number. Our majority so far has mainly kept Congress busy on not-quite-hard-right bills, rather than the neocon wet dreams they were pushing a few years back.

Getting things done for America is going to require more progressives and fewer Blue Dogs.

[tabatha]

23. The 60 vote rule in the Bush admin

stopped Social Security from being privatized.