Comments on: Pelosi Goes Through The Motions

By: Dr. N

Dr. N — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:22:54 +0000

The Dems have been recruiting moderates for at least 2 elections cycles to put themselves back in power. Now, they need a way to keep those moderates at bay if they are going to implement a more leftist agenda. If Dem leaders continue down this path, there will likely be a moderate led rebellion at some point.

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:02:10 +0000

While the Democratic majority may find that the rules change is, over the short term, to their advantage in passing a few controversial bills, the medium to long-term effect may be to promote the erosion of their majority.

Two points come to mind:

1. What about when the Republicans are eventually back in power.

Sure maybe not for 10 or more years, but these things are cyclical, eventually they will be back in charge. Having that rule might be to the Democrats advantage then.

2. If this strengthens the more extreme members of the majority at the expense of the moderates then we might want to rethink that 10 or more years.

Then again politicians and long term thinking are like military and intelligence. Two terms that don't naturally go together.

By: legion

legion — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:39:05 +0000

While the Democratic majority may find that the rules change is, over the short term, to their advantage in passing a few controversial bills, the medium to long-term effect may be to promote the erosion of their majority.

Well, it's entirely possible that the Dems are more interested in actually making government function in a way that makes the US a little better, rather than consolidating their own party's power over the long term. Scott is entirely correct in that this has been needed for a long time. If the object of either party is to actually create substantive legislation - rather than simply putting roadblocks in the way of actual progress - this ought to be welcomed by all sides.

By: Scott Swank

Scott Swank — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:52:41 +0000

The problem is not with the option "to report forthwith" but rather with the option "to report promptly". This sends the bill back to committee and near the end of a session will typically kill the bill due to tight scheduling.

So the typical tactic is to send it to committee promptly with an amendment not to club puppies to death. Now the majority has to either vote to club puppies to death or kill the bill. Anyone in a competitive district tends to avoid voting to club puppies.

This is a change that the House has needed for some time, regardless of which party is in the majority.

By: Signifying Nothing

Signifying Nothing — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:35:48 +0000

On the motion to recommit...

Over at OTB, I look at proposed changes in parliamentary procedure in the House which continue the chamber’s bipartisan slide towards majority-party dictatorship—or, perhaps to riff on Matthew Shugart’s observations regarding the House, irrespons...

By: caj

caj — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:32:04 +0000

I must admit I have not been very impressed with Pelosi or Reid for that matter..they seem to have no backbone for doing the right thing.
Both have been wishy washy and have not shown strong leadership.