GOP Obstructionism works

[spanone]

GOP obstructionism works, part 973


The GOP just blocked the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in the Senate, and the immediate conclusion to be drawn is that this is yet more proof that GOP obstructionism works brilliantly. It fires up the GOP base, while simultaneously demoralizing Dems who want their leaders to prevail despite the GOP tactics.

Republicans will only gain with their base for standing firm, and for doing whatever was necessary in procedural terms to block the measure. By contrast, Dems are likely to suffer with their base. When it became clear the vote was in doubt late yesterday, gay activists were already blaming Obama and Dem leaders for not showing the fight necessary to get this done.

The complaint all along has been that Obama has not really put his prestige on the line to rally the Senate for repeal of DADT. More recently, gay activists have wondered why Obama didn't work the phones and twist arms to get centrist Dems to fall into line. Two Dems -- Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln -- voted with Republicans to block the vote.

Now that the vote has failed, gay activists are likely to direct most of their criticism at Dem leaders, arguing -- as Richard Socarides did this morning -- that they only made a "token effort" to get this done.

In short: Republicans will be rewarded by their base precisely because they were willing to use canny procedural measures to prevent a majority vote on the measure. By contrast, Dem base voters, rather than get outraged about the GOP procedural maneuvers, may see this as another reason to remain unenthusiastic about the Dem majority. Forget all the procedural white noise. Rank and file Dems want their leaders to win, even if those mean and nasty Republicans aren't playing fair.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/gop_obstructionism_works_part.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

[babylonsister]

1. So rethugs obstruct, and Obama gets the blame. From the wapo.

okayyyyy.

Bullshit.

And 'canny'? Being totally obstructionist is 'canny'?

I do hope they pissed off all the people who had an opportunity to be considered an American with rights today. How 'canny' is that?

[AlinPA]

2. The President supported Lincoln in the primary. Like a snake, she votes against DADT repeal.

[mmonk]

3. Both parties can count for what it's worth.

And the Republicans know on most major issues and parts of bills, because of the 60 votes rule, they can count on anywhere from 3 to 5 votes from the Democrats adding to theiir totals.

[metapunditedgy]

4. Democrats fail to call them on it, part 973. Why exactly isn't Blanche standing

there right now reading from the phone book?

Sorry, but I care about this issue and right now, I'm just seeing a lot of theater.

[laughingliberal]

5. Do we have enough dry powder to fight, yet? Is there a chance the WH enforcer will ever visit...

a Blue Dog?

[AndyTiedye]

7. The Powder is Dry, But It Won't Light

[Better Believe It]

6. The Democratic Senate leadership has the weapons to overcome Republican crap but won't use them.

[TomCADem]

8. The Corporate Media Narrative Lives - Republicans Are Praised For Putting Partisanship Above All!

While Democrats who trying to govern are attacked for simply trying to run government, rather than letting everything go to hell. Heck, Republicans are so partisan that they even vote against initiatives that they sponsored in order to prevent the President from getting a win. And this is a virtue????

Only in a world with a huge corporate media that spends millions to undermine and attack Democrats and liberals. Only in a world where the only way to get air time for liberals is to attack the President.

Why isn't Howard Dean getting the air time of Newt The-Racist Gingrich?

Hey, perhaps D'Souza would say that Howard Deam simply lacks the get free media airtime gene.

I recall that when Democrats tried to put limits on Bush war spending bills, they were uninformly criticized, not praised, for their efforts to slow the passage of such bills.

It is a one way street.

[DonCoquixote]

9. Hey Bill Clinton

Thanks a whole lot for getting Blanche Lincoln elected. It make me sad that Obama Supported you, and it makes me shiver to think of the sh_t you would pull if your wife got elected President.