During his 38 years in the U.S. Senate, Patrick Leahy has spent plenty of time in the minority. So it’s no surprise that, like many senior Democrats, he’s looked warily over the years at proposals to empower the majority at the expense of the minority.
On Thursday, that changed.
Along with 51 other Democrats and independents — including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — Leahy voted to curtail the use of the filibuster by a minority faction to block most presidential appointments. The historic rules change means that a simple majority will suffice to confirm nominees to federal district and circuit courts and to the president’s cabinet.
“I believe in using the rules. I don’t believe in abusing them,” Leahy told Seven Days Thursday afternoon. “I have enough experience under both Democratic and Republican leadership to know that you have the rules, but you don’t abuse them.”
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I didn’t say you were a racist. But I believe there is a racist element in the hatred toward him on the Right.
And, no, in my view you did not “explain” why the President got what he “deserves.” All you explained is the obvious: that he passed a piece of legislation that the minority party doesn’t like. BFD. It’s been happening for 200 years by both sides. Get over it. It does not warrant the abuse and obstruction this President — this in actuality moderate President — has been subjected to.
I explained why he is getting what he deserves, if you want to ignore the explanation I gave and start insinuating people are racist then good day to you.
It seemed to me that by and large I enjoyed conversing with you on this board and for the most part you could engage in a productive conversation. I’m sorry that has ended and you feel the need to resort to such sorry tactics.
Maybe, and I’m sure the Democrats will whine about it if it happens. Regardless, there was nothing really stopping either party from eliminating the filibuster before. There is something incongruent about having a rule effectively calling for 60% approval to pass legislation, but allowing that procedure to be eliminated by simple majority.
If only they could have filibustered the filibuster reform.
“Obama is getting what he deserves”
What he deserves? Deserves for what? For winning the 2008 election? For beating McCain? For being a moderate? For proposing a law that says everyone must have insurance — private insurance, just like Romney imposed on Massachusetts? For that he “deserves” to be abused?
Oh, I get it. He’s getting what he “deserves” because he’s not white.
Shame.
It’s not a legit reason I agree.
Ideally you are absolutely correct. Realistically Obama made his bed and now he has to lie in it. The people of this country were stupid to vote him back in and think anything was going to be different.
You get what you deserve. The republicans have been getting hammered for being the party of “no.” They likely would have regained the Senate if it wasn’t for that.
Obama is also getting what he deserves, he made political enemies and now he wants them to play nice… sorry chief thats not the way it works.
Reid, will get his as well, you can count on that…
“they block OBAMAs nominees because they don’t like him …Obama as a person …and they don’t have any faith in him. “
That is NOT a legitimate reason to block a President from filling open positions in his administration!!! That is political abuse.
Its not the end of the story. And you are entirely incorrect, the republicans don’t block the presidents nominees because he is a democrat, that’s a lazy and disengenious cop out… they block OBAMAs nominees because they don’t like him …Obama as a person …and they don’t have any faith in him.
Do you believe that had Billary won the election things would be the same as they are today? I do not.
You need to lay off the partisan blame game here. It’s not the left they hate …. its Obama.
Clinton, did things differently and both he and the country were rewarded. Obama set a much different tone, and he gets to bear the fruits of his labor.
Blocking Presidential agency appointments — not just judges, mind you, but the President’s own Executive Branch agency heads, deputies, etc. — out of pure spite, is atrocious and not to be tolerated. These nominees aren’t baby-killers or criminals. They are qualified. The ONLY reason their appointments have been blocked is because the President is a Democrat. Period. End of story. This brand of Republicans doesn’t believe in abiding by the results of elections.
It is bitter to watch our two squabbling elites fighting over political spoils and near term gain. True statesmen would recognize that they are temporary caretakers of our civilization and their conduct and planning should reflect that we intend to hand it down to our descendants.
Instead it looks like we’d better teach our kids archery and sword fighting to get them ready for Thunderdome.