McConnell filibusters . . . himself

[billvon 3,132]

I didn't know you could do that.

Posted: 12/06/2012 2:30 pm EST
Updated: 12/07/2012 7:01 pm EST

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Debt Ceiling Bluff Called By Harry Reid, Leaving Mitch McConnell To Filibuster Himself

WASHINGTON -- A move to embarrass Democrats backfired on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Thursday as the Kentucky Republican proposed a vote on raising the nation's debt ceiling -- then filibustered it when the Democrats tried to take him up on the offer.

On Thursday morning McConnell had made a motion for the vote on legislation that would let the president extend the country's borrowing limit on his own. Congress would then have the option to disapprove such hikes, in a fashion similar to one that McConnell first suggested during last year's standoff over the debt ceiling.

The minority leader apparently did not think Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would take him up on his offer, which would have allowed McConnell to portray President Barack Obama's desire for such authority as something even Democrats opposed.

Reid objected at first, but told McConnell he thought it might be a good idea. After Senate staff reviewed the proposal, Reid came back to the floor and proposed a straight up-or-down vote on the idea.

McConnell was forced to say no.

"What we're talking about here is a perpetual debt ceiling grant, in effect, to the president, " McConnell said. "Matters of this level of controversy always require 60 votes."

Sixty votes are required to end a filibuster during debate on a bill and hold a vote.

Democrats immediately seized on McConnell's reversal, noting it was the sort of obstruction that they think warrants changes to the rules on filibusters.

"What we have here is a case of the Republicans here in the Senate once again not taking yes for an answer," Reid said. "This morning the Republican leader asked consent to have a vote on his proposal. Just now I told everyone we're willing to have that vote, an up-or-down vote, and now the Republican leader objects to his own idea, so I guess we have a filibuser of his own bill."
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[lawrocket 3]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4410003;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

I know, my spin is a bit different. "McConnell filibusters himself" is a far more newsworthy and politically juicy matter for the effect of government and society than "President wants authority to control national debt, and Congress may veto the President's debt proposal only with a supermajority in both Houses."

We know what the important stuff is here. Not the usurpation of authority but a filibuster.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[billvon 3,132]

> than "President wants authority to control national debt"

Well that's the odd part. He didn't ask for it; McConnell suggested that Congress GIVE him the power. (Of course now he thinks it's a great idea.) This isn't the executive branch trying to grab more power; it's Congress willingly giving up their power.

It's sad overall that Congress has so little trust in their own ability to make decisions that they'd rather just have someone else (the president) do it.

[lawrocket 3]

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Well that's the odd part. He didn't ask for it; McConnell suggested that Congress GIVE him the power. (Of course now he thinks it's a great idea.) This isn't the executive branch trying to grab more power; it's Congress willingly giving up their power.

The President IS now asking for it. Both parties are really good at looking at the other party's bad ideas and using them. And you are showing the primary reason: "They suggested it!"

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It's sad overall that Congress has so little trust in their own ability to make decisions that they'd rather just have someone else (the president) do it.

It makes sense. When things go badly, blame the President. Look at the Iraq War - Congress gives the president the authority to do whatever he wants and if it goes badly, they can all whine that the President lied, is incompetent, etc.

Economy? Blame the President.

National Security - "We didn't think the Patriot Act would go this far."

Congress should reign in presidential power. But it can't. It's like a temporary tax - it's nearly impossible to get rid of it once it starts.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Bertt 0]

Mitch McConnell said during Obama's first term that his number one job was to make Obama a one term president. Apparently that is still his goal. Gotta admire his persistence.

You don't have to outrun the bear.

[billvon 3,132]

>The President IS now asking for it.

Yep, now he thinks it's a great idea.

"Want some more power?"
"More power? Why yes - that sounds like a great idea to me!"

>When things go badly, blame the President.

There is something about Americans in general who really want a king rather than a president. The president was never intended to lead the government; that was the job of Congress. But we don't like that arrangement.

[Southern_Man 0]

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Congress should reign in presidential power. But it can't. It's like a temporary tax - it's nearly impossible to get rid of it once it starts.

Or a temporary tax cut.

"What if there were no hypothetical questions?"