Orrin Hatch puts a big wrinkle in McConnell's'potential nuking of the filibuster rule

[red dog 1]

Daily Kos
November 17, 2016

CROTCHETY ORREN HATCH PUTS A BIG WRINKLE IN McCONNEL'S POTENTIAL NUKING OF THE FILIBUSTER RULE


Gleeful Republicans see nothing standing in their way to giving tax cuts to the rich, starving the olds and poors, and a Supreme Court that will put women back in the kitchen, pregnant and barefoot now that they have Donald Trump going to the White House and a lock on Congress.
Nothing, that is, but Senate Democrats and the filibuster.

The way around that is, of course, the way Democrats did it when Republicans were refusing to allow President Obama's appointments to get to the floor - modifying the Senate rules with 51 votes to end the filibuster on them.
So McConnell just has to do that with the 52 votes he now has
(or likely will following the Louisiana run-off), right?
Or not.

On Wednesday, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) may have put a dagger in the scheme.

Asked by the Huffington Post about ending the filibuster, he was blunt:
"Are you kidding?" he said with some vehemence.
"I'm one of the biggest advocates of the filibuster.
It's the only way to protect the minority, and we've been in the minority a lot more than we've been in the majority.
It's just a great, great protection for the minority."

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), the most vehement of the Never Trumpers, agrees, telling reporters on Tuesday that it's "a horrible, terrible idea," and he would oppose on the floor "in a heartbeat."

Where Graham goes, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is pretty likely to follow, so there's a definite two and probably three votes to derail any visions that McConnell has of neutering the Democrats.

More;
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/11/17/1600870/-Crotchety-Orrin-Hatch-puts-a-big-wrinkle-in-McConnell-s-potential-nuking-of-the-filibuster

[drray23]

1. You can also add rand paul to the mix.nt.

[Lucinda]

2. Good!

Thanks for the info!

[malaise]

3. What surprised me most about Hatch was his relationship with Muhammad Ali

It was a pleasant surprise
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/10/politics/orrin-hatch-muhammad-ali/

[oldtime dfl_er]

12. I was surprised

that he's still alive.

[malaise]

14. ROFL

[Qutzupalotl]

4. The filibuster was the favorite tool of the Republicans

when they were in the minority. They used it a record number of times, without regard to a nominee's merit, entirely for political ends.

[Thinkingabout]

5. Changing the filibuster rule does not work well in changing, if it works for the moment

And the number should change then the Republicans would find themselves trying to climb out of their ditch they dug for themselves.

[dhol82]

6. Good to hear!

[Martin Eden]

7. One small ray of sunshine

in these dark times

[Chemisse]

8. Good for him for taking the long view.

Most of these people can't see past the next election. It's all about winning everything - right now.

[jg10003]

9. Hatch is old school, he respects senate traditions and norms, like Robert Byrd or Bob Dole

I don't agree with him on anything, but I do respect him. It will be a sad day when his type is replaced by the likes of Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton.

[lonestarnot]

10. Obstruction lessons have been given for 8 years. Hope they got it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. If they haven't gotten them yet, they will, and SOON. n/t

[sellitman]

13. Republicans tend to lie

I don't believe this bull crap for a second. As soon as they get obstructed they will do away with the filibuster so fast it will make your head spin.