Mary Landrieu is done. I won't shed a single tear. Screw her and the big energy horse

[cali]

she's been, er, canoodling with for her entire Senate career. She's a corrupt, nasty piece of work. The Senate is gone anyway. And while we're at it, screw Reid and the other dems selling us out for her.

Mary Landrieu’s Pipeline Pipe Dream

Sen. Mary Landrieu wasted little time reminding everyone that the Senate’s lame-duck session is not a lame-duck session for everyone. The Louisiana Democrat, who will face GOP challenger Bill Cassidy in a runoff next month, took to the floor on Wednesday, less than 30 minutes after the upper chamber convened for the first time since the midterm elections. “I believe it is time to act,” Landrieu said, renewing her advocacy for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. “I want to say ‘yes’ to [the] majority leader—new Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The time to start is now.”

That Landrieu is launching such a Hail Mary is hardly a surprise. Greenlighting the pipeline has long been a goal of hers, and the three-term senator has little reason not to go down swinging now that she’s likely to be ousted from office. What is much more of a shock, though, is that Harry Reid—the majority leader for all of two more months—is indulging her, announcing Wednesday that he would bring her Keystone bill to the floor for a vote. That’s a baffling decision, not just because it’s so transparently politically craven—although it is—but because it risks so much for so little potential gain.

Landrieu faces a steep, perhaps even impossible battle to hold on to her seat. She bested Cassidy by 1.2 points on Election Day, but failed to garner the votes needed to avoid a head-to-head runoff. With third-place-finisher Rob Maness—a Tea Party favorite who won 14 percent of the vote—now backing Cassidy, the four-term GOP congressman has become the clear favorite.

<snip>

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/11/mary_landrieu_keystone_democrats_should_be_embarrassed_to_indulge_the_louisiana.html

[yeoman6987]

1. Her job is to support her constituents.

Her job is not to appease the entire United States population. She needs to ensure the voters in Louisiana are happy and nobody else. Of course she may fail at getting enough voter support anyway.

[hobbit709]

4. Some people can do things for the greater good but she's a wholly owned subsidiary of the oil corps

No great loss at this point.

She's no better than Lieberman was.

[cali]

5. sorry, I don't see it quite that way. She's corrupt.

and she owes it to her constituency not to cause harm. ]

fuck her.

[TheNutcracker]

56. Totally agree! she tried to redraw map lines in the Gulf to drill closer to FLA!!

Bye bye little oil doll, mary landreiu

[HereSince1628]

6. Basic issue of republics...representative must act responsibly in the interests

of their constituents (including people that didn't vote and people who voted in opposition to an officials election) and the nation, on topics that demand thoughtful consideration of domestic and international importance.

It is and -must be- a balancing act that considers more than the will of the elected official's base of support. It's never going to be perfectly satisfying.

Trying to nail elected representatives to the will of the people who voted for them promotes published partisan-polling and laying down for campaign contributions to make statesmanship redundant.

[treestar]

7. This is true

That's how it works, and explains why people disapprove of Congress but keep sending their own reps back.

[hobbit709]

22. Her oath of office requires this, nothing about constituents.

Oath of Office

Upon taking office, senators-elect must swear or affirm that they will "support and defend the Constitution." The president of the Senate or a surrogate administers the oath to newly elected or re-elected senators. The oath is required by the Constitution; the wording is prescribed by law.

[belzabubba333]

26. yes you are correct but sometimes your constituency is dumb and if they want to allow the burning of

witches and segregating lunch counters or teach creationism it's her job to vote differently

[yeoman6987]

33. Lol. Well I can't find fault in you reply at all!

[Bluenorthwest]

51. And yet many DOMA yes voters are considered liberal champions.

Some of them are hugely popular iconic figures on DU and in the Party. People say 'they had to vote that way because of their constituencies'.

[belzabubba333]

61. not everyone does what theyre supposed to do

[sabrina 1]

58. I doubt supporting her constituents was ever her real job. She is another 'democrat' voters were

pushed into supporting in order to 'win', while holding their noses. Looks like nose holding is going out of style at last.

It was always hard to tell which team she was on, but, we were told, we 'need the numbers'.

She is thoroughly exposing herself as what most of us knew her to be.

[DonCoquixote]

70. If Louisiana still sold slaves

would we have to ease up on anti slavery to help her get elected?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. If this were a valid strategy why didn't they try it before the general election?

[Travis_0004]

3. I dont think it matters

They will either pass Keystone now or in January. Obama will either sign or veto it now or in January.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. Think she has always wanted the pipeline, to help LA

refineries, yes. It's down to the same old question - do we want a conservative with a tinge of Democrat. Or a Republican with no tinge of Democrat.

[Kablooie]

9. If she gets this passed then loses the election...

she has been promised a very lucrative job in the oil industry.

That's why she's so hot to dump Democrats.
She's thinking of herself first.

[Atman]

28. ^^ THIS ^^

You KNOW she's already been approached about a nice cushy job lobbying for the oil industry if she loses. She'd probably welcome the loss. She'll won't have to spend all her time fund raising and defending her positions, she'll get paid ten times as much, she'll have a Congressional-level benefits package, and she won't have to dick around with those other douche bags in Congress as much, except for the lobbying. On an expense account. Paying off her former colleagues. Aw. Poor Mary. Show her the door.

[Ilsa]

38. I can only hope her water supply is from the Ogallala acquifer

if she is successful in getting Keystone XL approved.

[Kablooie]

53. With her new salary her water will be shipped in from Elysium.

[baldguy]

10. Because Bill Cassidy is so much more liberal. He's just an all-around better choice.

Unless you're a minority, or a woman, or gay, or if you have a job, or if you have children, or need health insurance, or need Social Security, or if you care about any issue that effects the lives of real people.

[cali]

12. It won't make any difference. The republicans already have a majority in Congress

[baldguy]

18. So, 45 is just as good as 47.

And let's just forget about all those important bills which pass with just one or two votes. Sucks if you're not a RW oligarch or a corporation, huh?

[ColesCountyDem]

24. Some folks are mathematically challenged. n/t

[B Calm]

11. No tears here, she left the democratic party long time ago!

If she ever was a democrat. .

[bigwillq]

13. Good. Good riddance (nt)

[Vinca]

14. How can you tell Mary Landrieu from a Republican? Anyone?

[hobbit709]

16. There is a "D" after her name.

[dsc]

17. she is pro choice

she is pro marriage equality, she voted for back round check bill. The number of Republicans who have done one of those three can be counted on one hand, the number who have done all three can be counted on one hand and you don't need the thumb. She also voted for the health care bill and nearly every nominee Obama put up. The number of GOP members who did that would be negative zero.

[brooklynite]

59. ...and pro-gun control

[B Calm]

62. and pro total destruction of planet earth!

[brooklynite]

65. Wow! Total destruction of planet earth?

You sure she doesn't want to total destroy just the U.S.? Or the Western Hemisphere? Because the total destruction of planet earth would be pretty ambitious.

I assume by the way that President Obama also wants to totally destroy planet earth because of his policies on drilling? Or is the total destruction of planet earth completely wrapped up in the Keystone pipeline?

Just a suggestion, but lines like that may have a tendency to dilute your argument.

[B Calm]

66. Okay, I'll try to speak where you may understand. The SC ruled that corporations

are people. Since that is the law of the land, the Keystone Pipeline is an illegal immigrant.

Some dispute (proven science) by making them out to be some kind of loonie.

[brooklynite]

67. I see, so a Law authorizing the pipeline would be Immigration Reform.....

Clever, but irrelevant to the hyperbole. I have no objection to opposing the pipeline, but yelling "end of the world" isn't the best approach.

[DemocraticWing]

63. I'm starting to get the impression that some people here don't care about those issues.

It would be awesome to keep more Senators who are pro-choice and pro-LGBT civil rights...Bill Cassidy (or any Republican) won't be so friendly to women and LGBT people though.

[DonCoquixote]

71. do they get to ruin the same water

that LGBT have to drink from, anyway. Posioned water does not care who drinks it.

[arely staircase]

74. you are about to find out nt

[brooklynite]

15. You'll be working to get a REAL liberal elected in Louisiana, right?

[cali]

19. No. I won't. There isn't a Senate election there for years.

and clearly, my dear, that's not the best state to focus on. but hey, keep up your support for the corrupt and worst pols in the party and keep telling us how much money you donate to get those fuck's elected.

[davidpdx]

36. Considering the person that responded to you back Clinton-Sachs the response shouldn't be

surprising.

[beerandjesus]

44. Actually, it makes me sick how quick "liberals" are to write off the Deep South

Huey Long was from Louisiana too!

The South has a long populist history, and just because "Democrats" like to throw up their hands and pretend it's just hopeless with those stupid rubes in flyover country doesn't mean there aren't a hell of a lot openings. (And needless to say, I hope, I'm not talking about you--I'm a big cali fan!)

I say RUN a fucking liberal in Louisiana for a change, and then we can talk! When's the last time we tried that, 1940??

[INdemo]

54. I agree

So let's use that same advice for The President of The United States
Lets run a liberal for a change and watch the Democrats show up to vote in record numbers

[Feron]

47. There may be an open La. Senate seat next year.

Diaper Dave is running for governor. So that Senate seat will be open next year if he wins (and he sadly has a very good chance).

Here's a quick rundown of gubernatorial candidates for anyone interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_gubernatorial_election,_2015

Maness, the teabag candidate, will almost certainly run again for the Senate. He's a moron, but he came in third place in this cycle.

Woody Jenkins will also likely run (barf).

I can't think of any Dems that will run. The Democratic party in Louisiana is in shambles and I think that the state is still winnable. Plus we're all sick of the Landrieu family at least in the NOLA area.

Personally I'll still vote for Landrieu, but I only think that she is marginally better than Cassidy. Cassidy doesn't seem to be an ideologue, but also likely possesses no spine either. So he's going to be a rubberstamper for his party. So, eh.

To be honest, I'm more interested in the local downticket races.

[baldguy]

20. Someone pure as the driven snow, too. ... In Louisiana.

They do get snow in Louisiana, don't they?

[cali]

21. No, not someone who is pure as driven snow. someone with even a shred of integrity.

[baldguy]

34. Bill Cassidy has a shred of integrity?

I'm thinking you have no clue who Bill Cassidy is.

[BeanMusical]

76. He's a criminal and the best pal of the Sundance kid?

[alarimer]

23. The Dems are selling out the environment to save her political ass.

Quislings, the lot of them.

[Javaman]

25. she was just another blue dog. good ridence to bad rubbish...

About 2 years ago, someone started a thread about something "good" that she did. I called her a worthless pandering blue dog and I got piled on by people defending her.

my have times changed.

[bullwinkle428]

27. The idea of selling out on the Keystone pipeline as some kind of

desperate "Hail Mary" to save the seat that she's at least 99% likely to lose is utterly pathetic. She's nowhere near worth the potential risk to the environment that the pipeline will create.

[lonestarnot]

30. Any risk to the greater good for her dumb ass is just fucking insane. What the fuck has happened to

this party? Is someone sweeping up the noise makers and party hats now?

[backscatter712]

60. "Whee I'm Republican Lite!"

And that is why Landrieu will lose. The voters have shown they're stupid enough to go for full flavor.

Only the real progressives, pushing a real progressive agenda, could make headway this election. The DINO's couldn't motivate Democratic voters, so they got their asses handed to them.

[Paladin]

29. Glad to see her gone. (nt)

[hrmjustin]

31. I rather have Landrieu re-elected because it makes it easier to win back the senate.

Obama needs to veto this pipeline bill.

[davidpdx]

37. Landrieu is toast whether the pipeline passes or not

There is very little money going into her campaign from the party and the Republicans are going to dump dirty money into Louisiana faster than an oil spill. She ran from President Obama during the election and will continue to run from him like a scared chicken. Since it looks like Alaska went down as a loss as well we'll be done 5 seats. We are going to have to run a better campaign in 2016 than this year and tell people if they actually want to win maybe they should consider not running from the president.

[hrmjustin]

41. I think if several who lost had embraced Obama they would have won because more Democrats would

have turned out yo vote. I think the LA seats and AR seats are not a part of that group.

[davidpdx]

72. Well we'll never know

[Euphoria]

32. Harry's role in this.

That's what bugs me.

[earthside]

42. Once again Democratic leaders trying to be clever.

That bugs me, too.

This 'emergency' vote on Keystone is a political stunt.

It reeks of desperation and it will actually backfire on Landrieu -- especially since the House sponsor of the pipeline bill is her opponent.
She is proving Cassidy's point that he would be a more reliable friend of big oil than is Landrieu (if that is even possible), since she gets a vote only when her back is against the wall.

This pipeline Senate vote is exactly what is wrong with so many national establishment Democrats. Instead of standing on principle and fighting the good fight, they look for micro-targeted, pandering, too clever tactical maneuvers to somehow get themselves a win.

[Autumn]

35. This is a loss I will celebrate.

If her state is republican, let them be republican.

[davidpdx]

39. I agree cali

The pipeline won't save her. Republican are going to throw dirty money at the campaign and with low turnout take that seat as well. People may not like hearing it, but they need to be reminded that Landrieu was one of the D's who ran from the president.

[ballyhoo]

40. I don't like her--never did. But Keystone is a done deal. Just

a matter of time.

[B Calm]

45. Does that mean you are for the Keystone, or you gave up the fight?

It might happen, but maybe not for another two years. That gives us two more years to fight.

[ballyhoo]

46. Fait accompli.......The Senate has changed

just enough. I am dead set against Keystone, but I understand reality.

[B Calm]

48. Thanks, I wasn't trying to be

a smart-ass. I didn't understand clearly which way you were.

[adirondacker]

43. Careful cali, some here might want to challenge you to a duel Ol' Zell style.

IMHO it's time to purge the most corrupt.

[Old Nick]

49. Yep, she is soon to be gone.............

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

50. *Sigh* Very sad. It's kinda like saying goodbye to Joe Lieberman.

[INdemo]

52. To serve as Lt. Governor in Red State

Should in itself show she is not really a Democrat.her political resume does show any signs of being a liiberal

[Thinkingabout]

55. If I was a democrat and wanted support I would look to a Democrat site to get

the support of Democrat voters. Oh, excuse me, this is a Democrat site, WTH, I guess there are some here who wants the GOP to control by 60 votes, not good for DNC.

[cali]

57. no one here wants the repubs to have 60

sorry, I don't do blind support for corrupt dems. you, evidently don't give a shit as long as there's a D after the name.

[Thinkingabout]

64. Corrupt, and what do you know about her opponent? You do not appear to back the

Democrat candidate, if Landrieu looses then it will be another extreme RW republican senator. One of the problems she has in Louisiana is her stand on civil rights issues.

[MoonRiver]

75. Why do you keep saying "Democrat" candidates.

Maybe you don't know but that is a very offensive right wing word, designed to demean the DEMOCRATIC party and its members.

[jillan]

68. Supporting the pipeline is NOT supporting her constituents! Unless she wants them to have poisonous

water.



She WAS one of those blue dogs that I liked most of the time.

Now I could care less if she wins or loses. It makes NO difference.

[Thinkingabout]

69. Do you prefer an extreme RW to replace her? That is going to happen if

She isn't re-elected, wonder if he will vote with Democrat platform.

[FreeJoe]

73. Yeah!

We should purge all of the apostates and get down to a tiny party of purists. We won't be able to do anything, but think of how righteous we'll feel!