Can't they bypass Bunning through reconciliation ? After all these months

[BR_Parkway]

of hearing about how it's only able to be used for budgetary items - surely Federal road inspectors, unemployment benefits and Medicare payments should qualify, right?

If so, they need to do it now to stop the pain - and show the public that reconciliation can do good things in the face of this obstruction.

If not, they need to be out there explaining why not - the media's already done a bang up job of making it sound like the Dems can pass just about anything through this process if they want to over-ride the Republicults - it won't be long before the parts of the public suffering under Bunning's holdups start blaming the Dems

[WhiteTara]

1. it has to pass before it can be reconciled.

too bad Harry didn't change the rules at the beginning of the session.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Set up a table at the entrance to the building for him to sign baseballs.

That will keep him busy during the session.

[KharmaTrain]

3. It's All In The Timing...

Bunning pulled his stunt when Reid didn't expect it...typical. He pulled this crap on Friday when most Senators had headed home (they all blow out of town on Thursday night) and won't be back in full session until today. Reid thought he had consent on the bill and it wouldn't need a vote...and then got ambused when Bunning objected. My gut says this was a deliberate game by the GOOP leadership to embarass and make Reid look weak, once again. The full Senate will vote to over ride Bunning, but too late.

On the flip side, this could be yet another rushpublican miscalculation (they're very good at that). By shutting off benefits to millions, they may have pissed off more than they realize. Similar to Gingrich shutting down the government in '95 and having it backfire on him...the outrage at the pettiness of Bunning's stunt is getting a lot of negative attention. But Reid isn't smart enough to see this.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Especially with the video of Bunning giving the bird last night as

he walked away from the interview

Pretty well sums up the ideology on the right - I've got mine, so fuck you