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A CHANGE...WILL DO YOU GOOD. (NOT.)
One of the upsides to nominating Judd Gregg for Treasury, we were told, was that it would mean another vote for Obama's stimulus package in the Senate. Gregg couldn't very well oppose the administration's central initiative than ascend to heads its Department of Commerce. But Gregg -- who'd already demonstrated his respect for the administration's agenda by insisting he be replaced by another Republican -- found a different solution: He's recusing himself from the vote. This outcome is no better than a "no" vote. Brian Beutler explains:
A cloture vote only succeeds if at least three-fifths of all duly elected and serving members of the Senate vote ‘yes’. With Gregg still seated, the Democrats need 60 votes to end debate, even if he votes ‘present’. If all caucus members vote yes, they have 58. They need two. Gregg could have been one of those two. But of course, Gregg has nothing but the utmost respect his soon-to-be boss–who has, of course, committed to changing Washington–and to vote the way Obama wants him to would appear unseemly.
Daschle withdraws his nomination. Gregg won't vote for stimulus. Whatever the optical benefits of the heightened sense of propriety Obama is bringing to Washington, it doesn't seem to be of much use in passing an agenda.
COMMENTS (15)
I'll just repeat myself:
Obama's whole schtick is not about getting to 58 + 2 or 3. It's about getting to 75.
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There is a REALLY important lesson here for healthcare reform.
While we will obviously begin the effort to do healthcare reform through the normal Senate rules while seeking to get Republican support, we should be prepared to move healthcare reform to the reconciliation process on a moment's notice.
Give moderate Republicans every opportunity to get on board with healthcare reform with them knowing that we'll pass it with 50 votes if necessary.
It will actually give moderate Republicans more of an incentive to get on board.
Posted by: Petey | February 4, 2009 1:06 PM
Holy crap I totally agree with Petey.
Posted by: NS | February 4, 2009 1:08 PM
How about Jack Lew for HHS?
Posted by: Sam | February 4, 2009 1:23 PM
For christ's sake is this stimulus not going to pass?
Posted by: bob | February 4, 2009 1:26 PM
I suppose he could vote for cloture while not voting for the bill itself... otherwise this entire exercise was incredibly stupid (I don't doubt it, but there you go).
Posted by: Jaime | February 4, 2009 1:33 PM
Once Gregg made clear his pro-quid-quo for accepting the Commerce job, Obama should have backed away. You don't get to negotiate a cabinet position.
Obama was rolled. Again.
There won't be anything left to Barak but a pile of bones once the GOP/Media are finished with their meals in mid-summer 2012.
The stimulus backdowns and Gregg are just the prep work for putting the BBQ in the smoker.
Posted by: JimPortlandOR | February 4, 2009 1:42 PM
can someone at CAP pack an overnight bag for Podesta and give him walking directions back to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave?
wtf is Emmanuel up to these days besides making sure Duckworth is taken care of?
Posted by: making Hamilton Jordan look good | February 4, 2009 3:38 PM
I don't understand what is happening. I was no fan of Obama's to begin with, so it's not a matter of disillusionment clouding my ability to grasp the situation here; I just couldn't be more confused. What the hell is going on?!
Posted by: Kristin | February 4, 2009 3:42 PM
Looks as if the GOP is happy to run with the "bipartisanship = date rape" line.
And what Petey said
Posted by: pseudonymous in nc | February 4, 2009 4:03 PM
What the commenters here have said.
Posted by: Obama -- Not as Tough as the Steelers | February 4, 2009 4:06 PM
What the hell is going on?!
Unity!
Posted by: eRobin | February 4, 2009 4:10 PM
There was little "bipartisanhip" at all.
It started with "I won" and went downhill from there. That's why the bill is losing ground.
Also, the public is just now paying attention to what is in the bill.....and they don't like it.
Support for Stimulus Package Falls to 37%
Posted by: El Viajero | February 4, 2009 4:30 PM
Where did you get your information that the support for the jobs bill is at 37%? Your ass (As usual.)? Last I heard, support for the jobs bill was well over 74% (Because at the end of the day, it's needed.). Typical that the regressives want to play politics, and ironic that they are doing it under the cloak of being "fiscally responsible". Let not anyone forget that the regressives had control of congress for 12 of the last 14 years, and had an un-elected empty suit as president for the past eight. This whole mess is 90% their FAULT. What irks me is Obama's fealty to "bipartisanship". Trust me, the last thing the regressives want is "bipartansanship", (Unless that means just doing what they say.).I do believe that Obama has a master strategy, and I guess it's a measure of my impatience that I can't seem to just let the whole thing play out, but what's happening in current is REALLY starting to get on my nerves.
Posted by: onlinesavant | February 4, 2009 7:04 PM
The public's hearing 200 whining liars in Congress and thousands of shameless whining liars playing little Sir Echo, like the hated slumlord bigot.
Posted by: Viajero = Bigot | February 4, 2009 7:05 PM
Dang, going off on el vagina made me totally forget what I meant to write. Which is:The corporate-owned media is pushing the regressive meme (As usual.) That the jobs bill does'nt have the votes it needs to pass in the Senate. Let me check. Ah, here it is. In order to pass a bill in the Senate, it must garner 50+1 votes. How many Democrats seated currently. Oh, that's right, 58. If Obama can't get two moderate Republicans TO BREAK A FILIBUSTER, then he has some serious issues.
Posted by: onlinesavant | February 4, 2009 7:13 PM