GOP Could Control Senate Before January

NewsMax ^ | 9/21/02 | Limbacher

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

This year's mid-term elections could hand the GOP control of the Senate a full two months before the new Congress is sworn in - even if Republicans fail to win an overall majority, according to Capitol Hill's political bible Roll Call.

If Sen. Jean Carnahan (D-Mo) loses her reelection bid to Republican challenger Jim Talent, the Republicans intend to take control right away, since that's what the rules allow.

Carnahan was only selected to fill her seat until someone could be elected to replace her late husband. Under Missouri law, Talent could be sworn in immediately following the election.

That would give the Republican Party control of the Senate at least until the new Congress is sworn in, even if the GOP lost seats in other Senate races.

Democrats are already preparing for a Carnahan defeat, and the possible changing of the guard for a brief lame-duck session, Roll Call says.

One senior Democratic aide cautioned, "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."

Democratic sources have stated that they will not allow for reorganization procedures in the Senate in the event of a lame-duck Republican-controlled session.

While Republican Trent Lott would be allowed to return to his old post of Majority Leader, the Senate committees would still be chaired by Democrats such as Ted Kennedy and Patrick Leahy, they say.

Republicans don't seem to be concerned with the Democratic warning, insisting they'll move for the immediate swearing in of Talent right after the election.

Both sides of the aisle agree that should Talent win, the Senate could be tied up for the entire lame-duck session. A Democratic aide expressed the sentiment very bluntly: "One thing is clear under such a scenario, we would never get anything done in the Senate."

NewsMax intern Rich Manzo contributed this report. Manzo currently attends St. Joseph by the Sea High School in Staten Island, NY.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

"One thing is clear under such a scenario, we would never get anything done in the Senate."


Someone said that when Congress is in session no American is safe.

Works for me.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

God help us if the Democrats stay in control- that traitorous scum would just as soon destroy this country as Bin Laden would. I depise Democrats- they get and hold power by appealing to the lowest IQ's and the most worthless people in this Nation.

If you vote Democrat, know that there is at least one American who hates your guts!

[Bubba_Leroy]

The first thing I would want to see a Republican controlled Senate do is send every single one of Bush's judicial nominees to the floor for a vote

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

"One senior Democratic aide cautioned, "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."

Democratic sources have stated that they will not allow for reorganization procedures in the Senate in the event of a lame-duck Republican-controlled session.

While Republican Trent Lott would be allowed to return to his old post of Majority Leader, the Senate committees would still be chaired by Democrats such as Ted Kennedy and Patrick Leahy, they say.

[Alas Babylon!]

So when the democrats got a plurality due to Jeffords becoming independent, then by God, the republicans just had to accept it and democratic control and Dasshole's dictatorship, but if the republicans get the SAME level of plurality, then it's not fair and the democrats won't obey the rules? Sounds about right, given their history.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

On second thought, I gues we do need a Democrat Party. Stupid people need representation, too! And so do Mafia families, illegal aliens, senile old folks who want free stuff from the Gub'mint, suburban women who get their political news from Rosie O'Donnell and the jokewriters for the "TONIGHT" show, college students who have never taken a course that required them to think about anything, and assorted other folks, ranging from stupid to evil.

They can't ALL vote Libertarian, can they?

[NYpeanut]

If you vote Democrat, know that there is at least one American who hates your guts!

Two.