The word on everyone’s lips these days is “bi-partisan”. Bi-partisan this and bi-partisan that. The word from the administration is Bi-partisan, it seems to be coming out of everyone mouths.
On all the mainstream networks we hear bi-partisan over and over. On the cable networks particularly on CNN and MSNBC that is the word of the day/week/month. All the MSNBC promos we see the question; Will Obama be able to generate republican support? Will the house republicans play ball? Can they get republican support in the Senate? What will the republicans do? When I see these questions I ask Why?
Unless I can’t count the current congress has a large Democratic Majority in both houses. In the house; 257 seats. Since all spending bills must under the constitution come from the house that means that no republican votes are necessary period.
In the Senate the current tally is 57-41. It will shortly be 58-41 since NY will appoint a Democratic Senator in the Senate. After Minnesota it may well be 59-41.
(Sanders always votes with the Democrats, as does Lieberman on any issue not concerning the war)
There is nothing to stop any bill from coming out of committee for a vote as the Democrats will have at least a 2-4 vote edge on every committee. Any bill they want will be able to make it to the floor.
You might cry FILIBUSTER but the idea that the president is totally inhibited by those one or two votes is nonsense. Particularly when two of those seats are the rather liberal Senators for Maine and one Maverick from Arizona dying to get the approval of the mainstream media once more.
The question then is why? Why make the big deal, and why the big fuss over republican votes when the democrats have the power and the votes? Easy.
They want cover, they want power but not responsibility. They want someone to blame. They remember 1994 and the Clinton Tax increase. They also know that this country is still a 51-49 country and that the blue dogs in the house are not going to keep their seats if they go too far left.
Mark my words when things get worse (they will) the congress will get worried. In 2010 with the recovery hasn’t taken place (much too soon) Democrats in congress will be trying to deflect blame and ask for patience. In 2012 if recovery hasn’t taken place (unlikely; particularly with Democratic business unfriendly programs ) the administration will be dying to say it isn’t their fault.
This is what is happening , the ground is being prepared not for the recovery of the county’s economy but for the retention of power. If the economy recovers all well and good but if not they are going to be damn sure that they keep their majorities.
First things first after all.
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