Klobuchar launches filibuster reform effort

I have heard from some reliable sources that when Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders stood up and spoke for 8 &1/2 hours on the Senate Floor on why the Bush Tax Cut extension continuation was a very bad idea, that he was ignored and in fact treated very rudely by all 99 of the rest of the US Senate. ALL OF THEM.

I also heard that he knew that he would never be recognized by the Chair of the Senate and that that is why he was not able to do that 8&1/2 hour Filibuster speech on the Senate Floor, during the actual discussion and vote, the very next day.

THEN I remembered something very important from the movie Mr Smith Goes To Washington with Jimmy Stewart.

At one critical point, the Senate Chair was in a position to either ignore Mr Smith or call on him. The Chair chose Mr Smith, which then allowed him to Filibuster.

That was the movie, a movie upon which I can relate to and I based its principles on why I run for office. I can also relate to the part where Mr Smith was ignored, attacked and vilified by all those media outlets owned by the evil developer.

As an aside, I notice that this attempt to change the rules of filibuster is being done now. Not earlier. So if and when the nutsy Republicans gain a majority, due to progressive people giving up on voting as a way to change things, due to the constant betrayals and stunning cowardice or naked complicity of the Democrats, that it will be much more difficult matter to institute a filibuster, when this country shall really need it.

However, MN “Independent” (with its noted national affiliates, real grassroots there, or is that astroturf I see?) please.

Continue on with your carrying water for those in power.

Mr Smith’s (Jimmy Stewart) antagonist, the developers would be proud of you.

Oh and BTW

Pseudo democracy, Kabuki Theatre here. Move along now. Nothing to see.

Ignore the man behind the curtain.

Cavlan’s Rule: Don’t mention Vermont’s senator in a Minnesota story about filibusters and bear the full brunt of a perennial fringe-left candidate’s airquotes. Take that, MN “Independent”!

You go girl!! I have a great Idea on the Filibuster!!! Hows about 51% is a majority ….This 2/3rds crap is a crock of Sh1t…

B Callan

Yup, good old perennial fringe-left wing candidate. That is me.

Now, I put forward a political position. If you cannot answer it politically but instead just with ad homonym attacks, that means that you have no political answer to my points. That is what conservatives and right wingers tend to do.

So answer it politically or concede the point.

Marcus, please note my point. If this happens and the right take full charge, they can do anything and there is no ability to Veto them via filibuster.

That is my deep concern. The right have proven that they are willing to filibuster to get their way. If progressives do not exhibit the same courage and determination then frankly, we are lost.

Marcus

I suggest you go to the site Truth Dig, check out the article “FiliBuster This Plan” by Ruth Marcus.

It makes my point completely.

Just a thought.

“I have heard from some reliable sources that when Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders stood up and spoke for 8 &1/2 hours on the Senate Floor on why the Bush Tax Cut extension continuation was a very bad idea, that he was ignored and in fact treated very rudely by all 99 of the rest of the US Senate. ALL OF THEM.”

Including the ones who took turns speaking so he could get off the floor once in a while? You might want to question your sources’ reliability. Senators don’t actually use the floor except for when they’re speaking, or those high profile times when the cameras will be looking to see who’s there. They weren’t there to treat him rudely.

I hear occasional complaints that Klobuchar doesn’t get out in front of anything. Well, this time she did. If this is the way we want her to handle he job, an attaboy would be better than finding something to complain about.

EricF

Really? Because I watched it on C Span and I did not see any of the other Senators give Bernie Sanders a break.

I saw Bernie Sanders, all by himself speaking truth to an empty room. My post above about not being recognized by the Chair explains why Bernie Sanders did not give this magnificient speech on the floor, during the vote for this Bush Tax extention give-a-way the very next day.

You can try and spin this (as in lie) any way you want but it does not change the facts.

Of course, I am just a fringe left perrenial candidate so you can ignore what I say.

That is how it works right? Speak truth to power and those who carry water for those in power will smear ya.

It always works that way.

Apparently you didn’t watch very closely, Michael. Sen. Mary Landrieu spoke at length. So are you spinning (as in, lying) or did you simply make an error? I think Bernie Sanders is heroic, a true progressive. But while he may share your beliefs, Michael, here’s one difference between you and him: He keeps it classy. No name-calling, no put-downs, no sarcasm, no mistruths (like calling other commenters liars when it’s you who’s in error). I don’t mean this an attack, but I do think your bombastic angry style does no service to your cause, which is also my cause.

Thank you, BC. This progressive has also been annoyed by that “bombastic angry style.”