Hence the relevance of a “filibuster-proof majority.” Blaming the GOP for failing to schedule a vote is ludicrous.

Hence the relevance of a “filibuster-proof majority.” Blaming the GOP for failing to schedule a vote is ludicrous.

Apparently, some folks are operating under the assumption that Glenn Beck drives the legislative agenda.

God, I hate Republicans, but I fucking despise Democrats. Spineless fucking chattel.

(Yeah, yeah, I know that Feingold hearing was an exercise in “See, it's constitutionally legitimate!” and that The Lieberman hearing was about Lieberman getting his mug on TV, but Jesus Christ on a Segway, grow some fucking balls!)

A “hold” prevents a nominee even coming up for a vote. Any Senator (majority or minority party) can pursue such a parliamentary procedure to stop a vote from going forward.

From wiki:

A “hold” is placed when the Leader’s office is notified that a senator intends to object to a request for unanimous consent from the Senate to consider or pass a measure. A hold may be placed for any reason and can be lifted by a senator at any time. A senator may place a hold simply to review a bill, to negotiate changes to the bill, or to kill the bill. A bill can be held for as long as the senator who objects to the bill wishes to block its consideration.

Holds can be overcome, but require time-consuming procedures such as filing cloture. Holds are considered to be private communications between a senator and the Leader, and are sometimes referred to as “secret holds.” A senator may disclose that he or she has placed a hold.

Money quote: “Holds can be overcome, but require time-consuming procedures such as filing cloture.”

Modern day Republican legislative ideals are abhorrent to me, but they do not lack the fortitude to pursue them. Modern day Democratic legislative ideals are slightly less abhorrent to me, but they lack the fortitude* to pursue them.

* (Actually, it’s more likely a lack of party coherency caused in part by lacking the fortitude to forcefully discipline party members that stray from the party line.)

Tom DeLay was an asshole. A corrupt asshole. But an effective whip. There will never be a Democratic version of Tom DeLay. Maybe that’s a good thing.

I’d also note the Press-Register story touts Benjamin’s ability to promote the Democrats’ health care reform legislation. If that’s really the reason to get her confirmed, then the HHS “gag order” on critical comments would appear to be pertinent, no?

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