Moonage Political Webdream

Starting in early December 2005, debate began on renewing The Patriot Act. As soon as it began, the Democrats started threatening to filibuster it. Due to this threat, on a last second deal, the Senate extended it to allow more debate at a later time. As soon as it came back up, the Dems renewed their threat to filibuster again. It’s the only tool they have to use right now, and it’s one I don’t like. All the Dems were chanting filibuster, including Harry Reid. So, some changes were made to The Patriot Act. That didn’t stop Russ Feingold. He decided to filibuster anyway. The result of that filibuster threat? It failed 96-3. Feingold did get the entire support of the Independent. He also got the support of Robert Byrd. But, that’s it.

That begs the question, does Feingold even care what his actions do to affect his colleagues’ image? This looks awful politically IMO. His only support was from an independent and one crusty old Democrat with a mess of problems at home. I mean, hell, Ted Kennedy and Barbara Boxer didn’t even support him. Who did he check with to see if it wouldn’t go down in flames? The “Democrat” power play was a disaster. I don’t believe in using the legislative process to make a statement, that’s what his web page is for. What I do believe is the next time Feingold threatens a filibuster, everyone will laugh it off as they did this one. In other words, Feingold was publicly displaying how ineffective he is. Harry Reid needs to spend less time bitching about Bush and more time putting a leash on the Feingolds publicly displaying how disjointed and disorganized the Democrats are.

Technorati Tags: filibuster, Legislative Process, patriot-act, russ-feingold

Tags: filibuster, Legislative Process, patriot-act, russ-feingold

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