Tag Archives: reid

Political Climate shifting.

It’s a bit under the radar – as the gop candidates and occupy wall street dominate mostly everything at the moment, but here’s from the once so feeble punchingbag Harry Reid in the Senate:

“My Republican friends, those poor folks, are being led like puppets by Grover Norquist,” Reid told reporters. “They’re giving speeches that we should compromise on our deficit. Never do they compromise on Grover Norquist. He is their leader.”

Full story.

Meanwhile, the Senate.

reidfeat
Reid

We'll keep on voting.

Why not. If a political minority decides to block everything to hurt the country and gamble on putting the blame on the incumbents, the majority is left with no other choice in the end – than to expose and add pressure.

So now it’s all about the Jobs Bill – as a package or in small parts.

From WaPo:

In a particularly interesting moment, reporters repeatedly pressed Reid to explain why he was going to force Republicans to vote this way, given that they have already said they’ll never support raising taxes. (It would be nice to see these reporters question Republicans as aggressively on why they won’t back policies that even GOP voters like, but that’s probably expecting too much.) But Reid refused to give ground, again and again pointing out that the public is on the side of Dems, and against Republicans, on this issue.

“The Republicans in the Senate are the only group of people in America that feel this way,” Reid said, in a reference to their opposition to the millionaire surtax. “Around the country, Democrats, independents, and Republicans support what we’re trying to do.” As it happens, large majorities also support increased infrastructure spending — including of GOP voters.

Full story.

Three days.

On to the Senate building.

Now for the Senate..

Tuesday is closing in – and the House is finally done with its symbolics and rants. A little group of people are insisting on blocking the whole constitutional process of working together in Congress to find a practical solution on things – even when things like a grand bargain was available that would’ve been a big step in the right direction for everyone.

So now we have a three day period of Senate business to figure out another deal that is doable, or some kind of limited postponement will probably be decided by the White House next week.

The downgrade of credit will probably happen within a few months anyways, adding to problems, but it’s really just a very lagging indicator of the general mismanagement of public finances for well over a decade.

Now, some reflections on the process:

  • The House seems deeper divided than many expected. Some lie about taxes and the basics of economics – some truly believe in this stuff. And thus the fronts are hardened.
  • The Speaker might be a better negotiator than the President – but his caucus might be mission impossible to manage. The short-term young freshmen don’t care about rank and establishment – they’re on a mission to “change” government through necessary obstruction.
  • The responsible and non-extremist part of GOP has been a bit more forceful in their internal pushback of unyielding members among their own. The party is no longer one strong block of discipline and cohesion.
  • The President has pulled out, but maybe it’s for the best, as he really just can’t do this part of the job. Better to get out of the way.
  • Harry Reid showed some forceful moves the last days – well done. A very small and feeble force, but still – a clear improvement for the balance of the process.

So what to make of all this.

The economy will probably keep getting worse as debt grows and US companies choose to hire overseas. Even a $4tr package is not really enough to fix those kinds of problems. And with no new revenues and aging population – it just won’t work.

The country keeps declining with a non-functional government who no longer is able to act according to the peoples vote and wishes.

The political fallout is hard to predict. Short-term there will probably be more noise and even harder fronts, though likely shifted from between the parties to between extremists vs. the rest. Default and shutdown could be a permanent issue and media circus the next fifteen months.

Longer term who knows… But I sometimes think a strong moderate conservative movement AND a strong progressive movement is both needed to pull things back on track. And nothing will significantly change before business/money get less influence on congress and government. It’s not a democracy if someone holds a gun to the legislators heads and dictates their vote.

The problem with seniority in the Senate.

Good man.. but a roadblock.

Good man.. but a roadblock.

Judging from recent days – statements made by a President in regards to basic theft and supression by private money seem to be terrifying for the far right and the 1% cult. This is obviously not where some people would like to have the debate. Which, is therefore, why it is exactly where we should have the debate.

And to a lesser degree – statements by the senior new york senator, putting some sunshine on the far right tactics to gain power, also created some pushback and noise.

So it works, it creates attention on the basic problems of the day, and it’s good politics.

Which is also why Harry Reid is a long-standing problem. This whispering, cautious man is not made for these times as a majority leader. A strong combative voice could have done so much more. And made the rebuilding of America so much faster and less problematic.

Words have consequences: Angle loses on all fronts.

Latest poll from Mason/Dixon showing all groups leaving Sharron Angle:

  • Among men, Angle fell from 50 percent support to 41 percent now.
  • Among women, 38 percent to 33 percent.
  • Among Democrats, 12 percent to 8 percent.
  • Among Republicans, 81 percent to 70 percent.
  • Among independents, 41 percent to 35 percent.
  • Among Clark County voters, 37 percent to 32 percent.
  • And among Washoe County voters, 51 percent to 34 percent.

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal: “The Mason-Dixon poll showed that if the general election were held now, Reid would win 44 percent to 37 percent for Angle.”

Source.

You get it from your own..

The Reid quotes from yesterday lingers on..

“He is a person who doesn’t like confrontation. He’s a peacemaker”.. “Sometimes I think you have to be a little more forceful. And sometimes I don’t think he is enough with the Republicans,”..

And this from feeble and faint Harry Reid.. This whole thing reflects so badly upon him. Just after Obama came to a friendly visist to Nevada to support him. It’s like talking behind his back. And it leaves a bad feeling..

Source.