Why is everyone so hysterical? It was just a way for Dems to save face. You're right...the Republicans definitely got the better end of this deal. I wish everyone here would stop their knee-jerk reactions.
MR. RUSSERT: Do the Republicans have the votes to do it?
DR. DEAN: I don't know. They say they do. I have no way of knowing what the vote counts are in the Senate. But, again, I hope they won't. Someday, the Democrats will be back in charge again. Do we want a Democratic Party that's in charge of everything? Well, you know, I suppose it's my job to say yes. But the truth is, as an American, it's better when parties share power. It's better when even those people who didn't win the election have something to say.
MR. RUSSERT: Republicans will say that the Democrats are speaking a different tune now than they did when they were in control. Robert Byrd, when he was a majority leader in '79, said, "Now, we are at the beginning of Congress. This Congress is not obliged to be bound by the dead hand of the past."
And the filibuster used to need 67 votes. They changed it to 60.
DR. DEAN: Mm-hmm.
No way. R's were within hours of 7 for 7 nominees. They traded this away for only 3 of 7. And for what? Even the Dems get to buy time to 'turn' anohter vote or tow against the filibuster; and of course up and thru 2006.
Okay Hildy - I don't see any kind of win here - I just see the REPUBLICANS doing what they always do - bowing and scraping to the threats of the dems.
I'm so angry I had to turn off my TV.
Please explain to me why you think we got the best of this deal .. and even if we did - DO YOU THINK FOR ONE MOMENT IT WILL BE SPUN THAT WAY BY THE MEDIA ..??
Please explain and make me feelbetter.