Posted on 12/15/2004 2:41:43 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WASHINGTON (Talon News) -- The White House is expecting Senate Democrats to be more cooperative when the new session begins in January, but recent statements by their incoming leader suggest otherwise. President George W. Bush made a point of reaching out to members of the body's minority in the days following the elections, but it doesn't appear they are inclined to reach back.
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) announced the formation of a committee to investigate the Bush administration. Claiming that the Republican majority has failed to properly perform its oversight duties with regard to the executive branch, Dorgan expects to begin a series of hearings in January. The panel will have no subpoena power to compel witnesses to appear or cooperate.
Despite the rhetoric, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan indicated that Bush would not be deterred. He suggested that the president would move forward with his agenda and hope that enough Democrats follow his lead.
McClellan told Talon News that President Bush "intends to continue reaching out to people on both sides of the aisle who want to get things done."
"We are here to focus on getting positive results for the American people, and implementing the priorities for the American people. That's where the President's focus will continue to be," McClellan said. "We hope that members of Congress will also reach back to us."
Bush has spoken of having "the will of the people at his back," and a mandate for his agenda.
Reid said recently that he would rather "dance than fight" but the tune he is whistling sounds to many to be very similar to the one that became his predecessor's swan song. Sen. Tom Daschle's (D-SD) obstruction of the Bush agenda as Senate minority leader factored into his defeat in a state that went for President Bush by a twenty-two percent margin.
Continued blockage of the president's agenda could make for another disaster for Senate Democrats, handing the Republicans a ready-made campaign for 2006. Emboldened by the expansion of its majority in 2004, the GOP is aiming at adding the five seats that would constitute a filibuster-proof majority.
The Nevada Democrat himself is in no danger, having easily won re-election in November, but several members of his caucus will be in peril if the last two elections are any indicators. Democrats in "red states" should be particularly concerned, as well as freshmen senators who won narrow victories in slightly "blue states."
Sens. Bill Nelson of Florida and Ben Nelson of Nebraska are the most vulnerable, followed closely by Sen. Mark Dayton of Minnesota. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will face strong challenges from Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has spoken openly about pursuing the "nuclear option" if Democrats again resort to the filibuster to stall legislation and judicial nominees, but it is unclear if he can command enough votes to change a rule that has stood for two centuries.
Copyright © 2004 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
Let's hope some of these red state Democrats keep in mind what happened to Tiny Tommy this past November.
Guess we just have to get supermajority and ignore them. Back to the polls!
memo to the White House: they won't.
I'm sick of these stupid calls for us to "reach across the aisle." To hell with that bullcrap. We won. It's the LOSER'S job to "reach across the aisle"...'cause, baby: WINNERS DON'T TAKE ORDERS FROM THE LOSERS!
---and why don't the spineless Repubs cut off the funds, both in the Senate and the House for some of this stuff? You'd think Henry Waxman owned the House budget, the way he "investigates" things--
guess Byron Dorgan wants to join his good buddy from SD in a cushy lobbying job in DC, instead of serving in the Senate. Isn't that bozo up for reelection in 06? You'd think he'd have LITTLE more sense. The Dems could have chosen someone like Schumer from a solid blue state who's just won reelection easily. Makes NO sense. But, it's ok with me !
Did the incoming GOP Senate leaders distribute committee resources 60% to 40% in favor of the GOP................?
Anyone know...............enquiring minds seek answers...........?
---yeah--last I saw Harry Reid was "demanding" a 50/50 split---
Because Bill Frist is our majority "leader." I've seen banana slugs with more backbone than him.
You have plenty of company. What the Dims are really saying is give us some of the power that we couldn't win at the polls. Why should anyone do that?
Bush team = slow learners
Four years go by & the liberals stall a complete republican majority. Ya understanding how this elitest "Two-Party Cartel" gets away with no true conservative agendas passed? Remember there will be NO true conservative Supreme Court when GW leaves. Probably nothing settled on the illegal front & an additional 2 trillion debt put on us by so-called conservatives. But the best one is the people will try to vote these same crooks back in office.
When did that happen? I must have missed it.
Dorgan and Reid don't want to get things done. Stop meddling with these two clowns and their cohorts in the Democrat party. You got a mandate Mr. President, spend that political capital, and stop wasting time with those who don't want to get along.
He was just re-elected. Essentially ran against a nobody. This isn't the smartest move he's ever made.
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid.
Last time I saw Reid, he was throwing racial insults at Judge Thomas on live national TV. Reid doesn't play well with others in the sandbox, especially those who happen to be Conservative.
What is the latest word regarding the operating budget split for this next Congress?
Within the past week or so it was posted that Frist was talking a 66/33% funding split.
Has this matter been resolved yet?
When the GOP Senate jellyfish start growing spines, let us all know, will you? We would love to see this once-in-a-lifetime event!
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