Category Archives: democrats
Scorched Earth Response to Filibuster Nuclear Option
Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell gave a “scorched earth” speech last week. Democrats have been threatening to end the filibuster which requires 60 votes to pass legislation. But McConnell said if they do that they’ll turn the Senate into a “100 car pile-up.” And nothing will get done:
Let me say this very clearly for all 99 of my colleagues: Nobody serving in this chamber can even begin — can even begin to imagine — what a completely scorched earth Senate would look like.
Mitch McConnell on the U.S. Senate floor
Senate rules require the consent of all its members to conduct business. So Republicans could easily grind the place to a halt. For example they could withhold consent to minor votes without quorum calls.
Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option” in 2013 to kill the filibuster for approving most presidential appointments. But when the worm turned McConnell added Supreme Court nominees to Reid’s list and Trump landed three new justices.
Bad Look for Cuomo, Hands Down
It’s a bad look for Andrew Cuomo, hands down. At least six women have accused the governor of harassment. Debra Katz an attorney for one of the women says Cuomo liked to brag about the size of his hands. Conversely, Donald Trump’s tormenters, including not a few cartoonists, delighted in mocking his allegedly tiny hands. The larger point, however, is that Cuomo insisted in 2018, during the Brett Kavanaugh hysteria, that women must be believed. Now, on the other hand, he urges that we not rush to judgement.
What the Heck is Unmasking Anyway?
What the heck is unmasking anyway?
Our government spies on foreigners all the time but not its own citizens –theoretically. So while eavesdropping on a Russian ambassador is ok, it’s not ok to spy on the guy at the other end of the call, if he’s an American citizen. So, in order to protect that guy, his information is “masked.” (Bokbluster was on this in 2017)
As it happens, the guy on the other end of Russian Ambassador Kislyak’s call was Trump’s incoming Trump National Security advisor Michael Flynn. And it turns out, dozens of members of the Obama administration, including Joe Biden, unmasked him.
Biden not Senile During Debate with Sanders
Joe Biden has a hairy leg up on Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination. If he can reassure voters he’s not senile.
The two members of the COVID-19 high risk set engaged in debate Sunday night.
Joe Biden, the 77 year old hero of the hazy center left establishment, took on 78 year old grumpy socialist Bernie Sanders. At a safe social distance, of course, and in front of no audience.
Biden surprised me in 2012 when he schooled Paul Ryan in a vice presidential debate. But he hasn’t aged gracefully and I thought Bernie would wipe the floor with him on Sunday. Except, I forgot that Sanders was highly likely to lead with his chin on “Medicare for All.” Which he did.
When Bernie griped that America was ill prepared for the Corona Pandemic because “We’ve got thousands of private insurance plans. Joe didn’t miss a beat. He pointed out that Italy has a single payer system and is way worse off than we are. So far.
Biden Not Senile
Vox says Biden “delivered his first coherent campaign message on Sunday night:”
“People are looking for results, not a revolution.”
