The third-ranking House Democrat said Monday the Senate thinks of itself as a "House of Lords" that happens to be out of touch with voters.
Majority Whip James Clyburn's (D-S.C.) remarks are one of the most significant public shots taken at the Senate by a Democratic leader since healthcare negotiations between the two chambers stalled.
"[Senators] tend to see themselves as a House of Lords and they don't seem to understand that those of us that go out there every two years stay in touch with the American people," he said in an interview with Fox News Radio. "We tend to respond to them a little better."
....
Tensions between the House and Senate have grown since healthcare negotiations broke down after Republican Scott Brown's win the Massachusetts special Senate election.
Tensions between the Senate and me have grown since health care negotiations began.
And why don't the Democrats in the Senate take on the Republican threat of a filibuster? Just do it, Harry! A real filibuster, not a faux procedural filibuster.
At TPM Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania says:
To those Democrats who are worried about passing health care reform in the wake of Republican Scott Brown's upset victory in Massachusetts, Rendell said "get that best bill as strong and as tight as you can then send it back to the Senate and let's see if they (Republicans) are going to filibuster."
Rendell, who was speaking to ABC News, also said, "my message to those Democrats is don't be afraid. ... Listen, you got elected because you wanted to do something to change the quality of people's lives - here we have a chance to do something historic and if it means some of us are going to lose because of that so be it. At least you will have lost your office fighting for something and accomplishing something."
...don't be afraid.... That IS the message, Senators. I heart Gov. Rendell and not just for this one statement. I've heard him before urging the Democrats to be bold and demonstrate courage.
Being a Democrat means having the White House and big majorities in both houses of Congress, and then explaining to the voters why you couldn't get anything done.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Republican means winning by a whisker, acting like you won a landslide, and then driving a bulldozer through the Constitution and right over a cliff.
I'm ready to form another political party that truly represents me and my interests. I'm not interested in creating an alternative to the Democratic Party, I want to REPLACE a party that should have gone the way of the Whigs ages ago.
I didn't vote for Republican Lite.
For the first time in my life, I'm seriously considering staying home on Election Day this year.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, I am fed up to the gills with the craven ninnies called Democrats. The Dems have 59 votes in the Senate, and they claim not to be able to do anything?
ReplyDeleteI'm all for a third party. It might mean a good many years of Republican rule, but the Dems are clearly played out, with the exception of a courageous few.
For crying out loud, as Gov. Rendell says, "Go down fighting."
I don't want a third party, I want a SECOND party.
ReplyDeleteYes, indeedy, Counterlight. I kind of missed the point in your original comment, didn't I? And you typed in caps, too. Sorry about that. :-)
ReplyDeleteOk you two.
ReplyDeleteLong ago, I worked for McGovern in f'ing Alabama, and we lost big, but I was proud of the effort. We now have a Democratic party afraid of Ben, Blanche, and Mary, and a president fool enough to think that the Maine pair of Wall Street Republics are honest negotiators. WTF?
I'll still vote, even though I usually lose.I will NOT donate another penny to the Democratic party machine, but I will support individual progressive candidates across the country. Unfortunately, and especially with the recent SCOTUS ruling that grants corporations personhood, the chances that a true political party of the people arising from the ashes of the last decade are minimal.
I think we'll just have to call on Jesus, light of the city of G-d.
John, exactly. You lost, but you went down fighting for a good man. He won only Massachusetts, right? And now Centerfold Brown is governor of the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ReplyDeleteI will NOT donate another penny to the Democratic party machine, but I will support individual progressive candidates across the country.
Agreed. I think we are probably doomed. Good thing Jesus saves.