Call me cynical, but

[chieftain]

Collins and Specter are helping the GOP at least as much as Obama. The one outcome that would be devastating to the RW would be if the stimulus bill was actually voted down by a minority Republican bloc and the economic results were as dire as is predicted. The result of the Collins/Specter/Nelson intervention is to allow the RW dead-enders to rough up Obama and his program while not having to pay for their disloyalty to the American people. The ultimate passage of even this watered down bill is necessary and will be a plus for Obama. But don't think that the Republican leadership isn't breathing a sigh of relief that they can posture to their base without paying the price for their irresponsibility.

[patrice]

1. That IS the way that they do THEIR business.

[ronatchig]

2. a question

When the House and Senate are finished with reconciling the two bills, will another 60 vote be required in the Senate?

[Tesha]

6. Thats how it works, yes.

The conference report/bill still needs to pass both houses and
in the Senate, they can still debate it to death unless you can
get cloture (so 60 votes supporting cloture) against the Republicans.

Tesha

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. You're cynical.

[chieftain]

4. Thanks, I really needed someone to do that for me. eom

[elocs]

5. I think you're cynical too. Now I will have to go back and read your post. n/t

[Cha]

7. You can't be

cynical enough when republicons are involved.

[TexasObserver]

8. Agreed. Let the GOP shoot it down with 42 votes.

When the DOW, S&P and Nasdaq all plunge 5-10%, let the news channels fill the airwaves with blame for the GOP. THEN bring it to a vote again.

Our Dem leaders have to stop acting like they lost the election. The American people sent them to DC to ACT, not to let 42 petulant senators of the GOP highjack another 4 years.

If we had anyone but Harry Reid as senate majority leader, this would already be done. He's the worst Democratic majority leader EVER.