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Why taking over the Senate may not do Republicans much good
Washington Post ^ | 03/18/2014 | Paul Waldman

Posted on 03/18/2014 12:41:23 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

There’s an old story about a freshman member of the House who is getting shown around by a senior member on his first day, and the freshman asks about the other party. “I want to meet the enemy,” he says. “No, son,” says the old bull, “they’re the opposition. The Senate is the enemy.” I thought about that today as the prospect of a Republican takeover of the Senate becomes more of a possibility. If the GOP controlled both houses, would Republicans be able to present a united front against President Obama, one that might actually accomplish any practical goals? There are some clues in the maneuvering that’s going on right now over health care as Republicans look forward to this fall’s elections.

To begin with, we should acknowledge that a Republican takeover of the upper house is anything but a sure thing. The midterms are still seven and a half months away, and a lot could happen between now and then. There could be an economic crisis, or months of solid job growth, or an alien invasion, or who knows what.

[SNIP]

If the Republicans do take the Senate, they won’t have a lot of time to savor the victory, because two years later they’re going to be the ones defending more seats (see Sean Trende’s analysis for more details). That makes it entirely possible, maybe even likely, that Republicans will have control of both houses for only two years, and after 2016 we’ll go back to the way things are now. So can they legislate during that time?

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: republicans; senate
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“That’s why we need President Cruz.”

Amen, but would they defund the ACA in the meantime?

That’s the big question.

That monster needs to be killed asap.

My fear is that we will then hear something like, “That’s why we need President Cruz.” for two more years while the peasants get all stirred up by a big dicktator loving media.

The MSM will never, ever, turn on Obama.


41 posted on 03/18/2014 1:18:41 PM PDT by right way right (America has embraced the suck of Freedumb.)
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To: The KG9 Kid

Don’t worry too much.
There’s plenty of gravy to spread around.
At least until the whole country goes bk.


42 posted on 03/18/2014 1:18:56 PM PDT by nascarnation (Toxic Baraq Syndrome: hopefully infecting a Dem candidate near you)
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To: right way right
Boner and McCacca will never defund it, that's for sure.

Maybe if Ted has a few more TEA party senators taking his back he can do a successful filibuster.

43 posted on 03/18/2014 1:22:28 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The man who damns money has obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it has earned it.")
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Praying for.


44 posted on 03/18/2014 1:23:58 PM PDT by right way right (America has embraced the suck of Freedumb.)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

“Seems to me the Washington Compost is already putting out its post election spin.”

Yep, the WaPo is up to its usual Democrat tricks.


45 posted on 03/18/2014 1:27:20 PM PDT by kitkat (STORM THE HEAVENS WITH PRAYERS FOR OUR COUNTRY.)
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To: SeekAndFind

In the unlikely event the GOP did take over the Senate, it’d be unrealistic to expect much out of them, but the greatest victory of all would be Dingy Harry shunted off to the sidelines.


46 posted on 03/18/2014 1:33:04 PM PDT by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Liberals: whistling past the graveyard that is obamacare.


47 posted on 03/18/2014 1:48:05 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: Jim Robinson

“Well, let’s just do it anyway and find out”


excellent idea


48 posted on 03/18/2014 1:50:39 PM PDT by Rumplemeyer (The GOP should stand its ground - and fix Bayonets)
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To: nascarnation

No, but he can be impeached immediately afterward. As they say, it’d be a good star..


49 posted on 03/18/2014 2:05:25 PM PDT by Chainmail (A simple rule of life: if you can be blamed, you're responsible.)
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To: shove_it

We had it all not that long ago, and nothing was done except to dismantle our liberties more slowly and subtly. We know who the obstructionists are.


50 posted on 03/18/2014 2:07:51 PM PDT by Psalm 144 (My citizenship is not here.)
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To: RIghtwardHo
Oh agreed. Let’s just do it

Yes... let's just DO IT! Then, we can have tea and biscuits!

51 posted on 03/18/2014 2:43:51 PM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!)
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To: Repeal The 17th
Yes, from 2003 to 2007 but the republicans never had a super majority and the democrats blocked every move

but now, thanks to dirty Harry, 51 votes is all it takes!!!!

52 posted on 03/18/2014 2:59:23 PM PDT by terycarl (common sense prevails over all else)
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To: SeekAndFind

They are trying to downplay the inevitable ass-whoopin’ the Democrats are going to get by saying it isn’t even worth winning. How pathetic and predictable.


53 posted on 03/18/2014 3:01:34 PM PDT by WashingtonSource
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To: kcvl

Good grief. He’s with Media Matters and David Crock, whose entire career is built on lies. How low can the Post sink to publish his work?


54 posted on 03/18/2014 3:02:29 PM PDT by WashingtonSource
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To: Jim Robinson

Well, it might give them the leverage of threatening impeachment of the tyrant.


55 posted on 03/18/2014 3:14:27 PM PDT by wildbill
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To: SeekAndFind

I’m sure Harry Reid agrees with Waldman.


56 posted on 03/18/2014 3:53:40 PM PDT by Stosh
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To: SeekAndFind

The repubs still think they are trying to govern the country with the rats. Most rats know that the other side is the enemy and must be destroyed. Very few pubbies see it this way, therefore they will do nothing when they get the majority other than pad their pockets and build up their Rolodexes (aka business as usual).


57 posted on 03/18/2014 5:32:50 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite it's unfashionability)
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