From the Palm Beach Post-
Hastings told a Democratic Professionals Council lunch in West Palm Beach last week he's frustrated when bills passed by the Democrat-controlled House stall in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where filibustering and the narrow partisan split give Republicans more clout.Hastings has the distinction of being one of a select few South Florida congress critters, present or recently past, not to get my Knucklehead award."I like Harry Reid, but Mitch McConnell (R-Ky., the Senate minority leader) is a better politician than Harry Reid is today," said Hastings, who said Reid needs to be more confrontational.
"If Al Hastings was the person that was the majority leader of the United States Senate, I would call Mitch McConnell in my office and I'd say, 'Mitch, let me tell you one damn thing. What you are going to do is all of this legislation is going to come to your desk. And you can filibuster until you are blue in the face. We'll go to the American people and you tell them why children don't have health care...' "
Is Reid not confrontational enough? It is debatable. Has he been a good Senate Majority leader for the Democrats? I don't think so. If the Democrats really want to end the war in Iraq, this seems as good a time as any before the November 2008 elections. With majorities in both the House and Senate, and low public support for the war. Then why do so few Democrats support a straight up or down vote? Most House members have safe seats and only a dozen Senators are up for re-election. Wouldn't getting vulnerable Republicans on the record as supporting the war increase Democratic prospects next year?
It seems the Democrats lack the political courage to stand up for what they feel is right. Maybe Hastings is right about Reid.
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Congress, Democrats, Strategy
Tags: Alcee Hastings, Harry Reid
Comments (2)
Reid's failure in pushing h... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jim Addison | November 28, 2007 3:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Reid's failure in pushing his agenda isn't necessarily all his fault - not to say he is particularly effective, of course. But with a narrow majority, every Majority Leader struggles. The recent history of the Senate is a fairly close division, so minority votes are required to get anything done. Reid has actually done as well or better than most of his recent predecessors in attracting votes across the aisle, just not enough to reach the magic number of 60.
With the GOP now having to defend 23 seats (including Lott's) next year against only 12 Democratic seats up for reelection, the numbers could move his way and he will look much stronger (presuming he keeps his job).
1. Posted by Jim Addison | November 28, 2007 3:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 28, 2007 03:23
2. Posted by Falze | November 28, 2007 11:51 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"We'll go to the American people and you tell them why children don't have health care"
I'd like to be first in that line, Al. Cuz I thought:
1. All children already have health care available to them, rich or poor, legal or illegal; and
2. All children, via private or public source, have access to health insurance, though some parents don't take advantage of this.
So, put me at the head of the line, Al, I'd like you to tell me why Senate Republicans are the reason that children don't have health care. I'd be most curious to find out why you think that. But mostly I just want to laugh in your face and then cry because you're a freakin CONGRESSMAN and you probably believe what you're saying.
2. Posted by Falze | November 28, 2007 11:51 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 28, 2007 11:51