Re: GOP obstructionism works, part 973

    Of course we can have the bill up again during the lame duck session.   Remember as well that the Pentagon survy results will be available so that the Senate will be able to discuss what would need to be done to implement the non-DADT bill and that a decent bill will result.   Also the DADT question can be brought up by itself and not as an amendment to a bill that also includes legislation on illegal immigration and the building of a memorial to Sen Teddy Kennedy.   Oh and just maybe the military budget can be discussed on its own.   Then all of these can be questioned on their own merits.   If the military can come up with a way to implement gay people into all types of military activities then let 'er rip.  It will also stop the cheap shots that we are hearing from the Dems, the LGBT and the media about just who is responsible for the defeat of this bill.   Just remember that there were enough votes to pass this before all the amendments were added on and before Sen Reid decided that Republicans would not be able to add on more than 1 amendment.

Oh, and then maybe the commenters here can be truthful about what actually is going on in Congress.   We have been given all kinds of fake news by the "progressives" on these issues.  About time we got told the truth.

On 09/22/2010 01:32 PM, Tommy News wrote:

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

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

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