GOP obstructionism works, part 973

The GOP just blocked the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in the Senate, and the immediate conclusion to be drawn is that this is yet more proof that GOP obstructionism works brilliantly. It fires up the GOP base, while simultaneously demoralizing Dems who want their leaders to prevail despite the GOP tactics.

Republicans will only gain with their base for standing firm, and for doing whatever was necessary in procedural terms to block the measure. By contrast, Dems are likely to suffer with their base. When it became clear the vote was in doubt late yesterday, gay activists were already blaming Obama and Dem leaders for not showing the fight necessary to get this done.

The complaint all along has been that Obama has not really put his prestige on the line to rally the Senate for repeal of DADT. More recently, gay activists have wondered why Obama didn't work the phones and twist arms to get centrist Dems to fall into line. Two Dems -- Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln -- voted with Republicans to block the vote.

Now that the vote has failed, gay activists are likely to direct most of their criticism at Dem leaders, arguing -- as Richard Socarides did this morning -- that they only made a "token effort" to get this done.

In short: Republicans will be rewarded by their base precisely because they were willing to use canny procedural measures to prevent a majority vote on the measure. By contrast, Dem base voters, rather than get outraged about the GOP procedural maneuvers, may see this as another reason to remain unenthusiastic about the Dem majority. Forget all the procedural white noise. Rank and file Dems want their leaders to win, even if those mean and nasty Republicans aren't playing fair.

UPDATE, 4:12 p.m.: As for what happens next, Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is pushing for Dems to hold another vote during the lame duck session:

We now have no choice but to look to the lame duck session where we'll have a slim shot. The Senate absolutely must schedule a vote in December when cooler heads and common sense are more likely to prevail once midterm elections are behind us.

2010

09

21

15

48

By Greg Sargent

More:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/09/gop_obstructionism_works_part.html

--
Together, we can change the world, one mind at a time.
Have a great day,
Tommy

--
Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups.
For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum
 
* Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/
* It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls.
* Read the latest breaking news, and more.