Posted on 09/19/2002 8:28:11 PM PDT by jdontom
Democrats Preparing to Block Reorganization if Carnahan Falls
By Mark Preston
Senate Democrats are prepared to bring legislative activity to a screeching halt in a lame-duck session if Sen. Jean Carnahan (D-Mo.) is defeated in November, an outcome that would temporarily give Republicans control of the chamber before the 108th Congress is sworn in. Democrats have already mapped out a strategy to defend against a quick takeover by the GOP during a lame duck if former Rep. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) defeats Carnahan in the midterm elections, several sources said.
"By God, if Republicans think we are going to roll over while they try to jam through the harshest elements of the White House's right-wing agenda, they got another thing coming," said a senior Democratic aide speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Another top Democratic staffer added that the floor would be tied up in knots "unless the legislation is something we wanted, or agreed-upon items such as an appropriations bill."
According to most readings of Missouri law, should Talent defeat Carnahan, he would be eligible to be sworn in to replace her immediately because she was temporarily appointed to the seat until an individual was elected to fill it. The most recent independent poll, taken in early September, showed the race in a dead heat.
Republicans said they would move for Talent's immediate swearing-in if he wins and the Senate is still in session mopping up the unfinished business of the 107th Congress. His victory would give Republicans 50 votes and the majority, while Democrats could have no more than 49 votes.
Even if Independent Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.), who caucuses with Democrats, officially joined the party, Vice President Cheney - in his role as President of the Senate - would cast the tie-breaking vote for Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) to be Majority Leader.
"That is the way the rules work," said a senior Senate GOP aide. "It's not that we dislike her."
But Republicans would not have full operating control of the chamber under such a scenario. Democrats plan to prevent the GOP from passing a new organizing resolution to give Republicans control of the committees if they seize power in a lame duck.
"You wouldn't do an organizing resolution for a month," said Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.). "We didn't do that in January [2001] when I was the Majority Leader for 14 days, so you wouldn't do it for a few days either. But she is not going to lose, so that is not a question we are concerned about."
While Lott would be recognized as the Majority Leader on the floor, his committee chairmen would consist of liberal Democrats such as Sens. Edward Kennedy (Mass.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.) and Jay Rockefeller (W.Va.), who would still retain their one-seat majorities on the panels.
A Senate Republican leadership aide said such preparation shows that Democrats fear the worst in the Missouri race.
"The Democrats are so scared they are going to lose the majority they are beginning to plan for the loss of Senator Carnahan," the aide said. "It looks like they are getting ready for minority status."
A Democratic Senator, who asked not to be named, charged that Republicans are trying to raise money in the final weeks before the election by continuing to talk about the possibility of a lame-duck coup.
"First, she is going to win, and secondly we are not going to have a lame duck," the Senator said. "It sounds like something somebody is trying to do for a fundraising letter."
Still, some Republican Senators suggested the potential for a majority switch in a lame-duck session is leading to increasing support for a long-term continuing resolution if Congress fails to complete its work before it leaves for the midterm elections.
"What it all says is, you don't have a lame duck," said Senate Republican Policy Chairman Larry Craig (Idaho). "You have a lame duck to do things, and if they won't let anything happen, nothing gets done. So you don't have a lame duck."
"It would be very easy of them to obstruct," added Senate Minority Whip Don Nickles (R-Okla.), who favors a CR through February. "We have about 10 races across the country that are too close to call, so it is hard to see how you can get anything substantive done in that period of time."
A Senate Democratic aide agreed with the Republican leaders that a majority shift would be a "recipe for disaster."
"One thing is clear under such a scenario, we would never get anything done in the Senate," the staffer said.
Still, Republicans are taking the necessary steps to ensure that they wield the gavel should Talent win and the Senate returns to work after the elections.
"I have asked the question that under current law, if Jim Talent is elected in Missouri and certified, is the current Senator then able to be on the floor legally voting in a session following the certification?" Craig said of possibilities he has asked the Senate counsel to explore.
"Before we go out of session, I'll know clearly what should happen," Lott said.
It has nothing to do with backbone.It has to do with core beliefs versus the poses they adopt to try to convince people they are "different from the Dims" so that they can get elected. They don't fight the Dims harder because they don't WANT to "win" if it means reducing the size or power of the feral gooberment. They know where and how they get their biscuits buttered.
What makes you think they are "putting up" with anything? Lott is there doing what they want him to do,cave to the Dims. This is the same thing Bob Dolt made a career out of.
All he knows about leading is how to lead the race to see who can cave to the Dems first.
I rest my case.
Is that the $200 billion more for education?
Absolutely correct.
Ashcroft wanted to be a "gentleman", so we've had two years of paralysis.
No news there - eh?
On the other hand, if the Pubbies get 52 or 53 Senate seats starting in January, then the handwriting will be on the wall and the Pubbies will get real control--either in November or January, depending on whether the Dems throw in the towel early or obstruct just for the sake of it til January.
Unless he gets a spine transplant somewhere along the line.
POLL from 9/3-5 by Research 2000: Talent 45% Carnahan 46% Margin of Error: 4% To make a contribution to Jim Talent, former Congressman from St. Louis, running against current Senator Jean Carnahan (who was appointed when her dead husband narrowly "won" in 2000 election over John Ashcroft), click on the Link below or mail a check to the address below.
Jim Talent for Senate
9433 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132
But the Dims don't behave like the minority.
I recommend they take lessons from Trent Lott and Denny Hastert on how good little minority members are expected to behave.
What? You say Hastert's NOT in the minority?
Then why does he act that way?
Thank you, sir, for my first outloud laugh of the morning!
Bullsh*t!
'Vacant' Lott is a weasel, the consummate politician, and a disgrace to the state of Mississippi!
Just because you might not be able to win doesn't mean you can't at least try, and at the very least show the voters where you stand, and where your opponents stand.
Otherwise, how is anyone to know there is any ideological difference between Trent Lott and The Chappaquidick Kid?
Oh, wait a minute - bad example!
There IS no difference!
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