Sure is a good thing you only need 51 votes to pass a bill through the Senate, eh?

Look, the Democrats ought to call the Republicans on this. They should hold the vote, and if it fails spend the next two years blaming the economic ruin on Republicans. After the 2010 elections when they have a super majority they can get done what needs to be done.

If the Republicans want to become the permanent minority party let them. Obama and his people need to realize that they cannot appease the oppostion, and should both ignore them and defeat them.

It's too bad the country will suffer for this, but in the long run everyone except hard right Republicans will be better off.

There is a quick and easy way to avoid this problem: Reid stops pretending a threat to filibuster is the same thing as an actual filibuster.

Make the motherfuckers actually stand up and talk to stop the vote. I predict they'll last about 14 minutes before they collapse.

THEN the votes needed to pass really will be 51.

Look, the Democrats ought to call the Republicans on this. They should hold the vote, and if it fails spend the next two years blaming the economic ruin on Republicans. After the 2010 elections when they have a super majority they can get done what needs to be done.

-- sidfink43 Friday, February 13, 2009 11:02 AM PST

It might be worth it if it would actually work, but the repugs would still blame President Obama and the dems because they didn't pass a trillion bucks in tax cuts.

But "let it fail" could turn into a triumph if the dems then turn around and force a REAL stimulus, with a couple trillion in pure spending, down the motherfuckers' throats.

You would think that they would give up, but they won't. We did this dance when the issue was a troop funding bill that contained provisions requiring Bush to start withdrawing troops. In this case, the stakes for them are arguably even higher. So they will filibuster, and vote to keep on filibustering. As many have commented, they've declared war on Obama and his agenda. In their own minds, they're Gandalf at the bridge of Khazad-Dum telling the Balrog of Obama's mandate that it shall not pass.

When we had a Republican president and Republican congressional majority, Republicans were in control.

When we had a Republican president and Democratic congressional majority, Republicans were in control.

Now we have a Democratic president AND Democratic congressional majority... and REPUBLICANS ARE STILL IN CONTROL!

What the hell do we need for real progressive reform to make it through?

So far (at 11:22 a.m. PST) not one Republican has voted for the Stimulus. Amazing.

The Fairness Doctrine....

Make them filibuster and put it on national television. They will collapse in minutes due to cowardice.

It needs 60 because of a point of order regarding deficit spending that requires 3/5 to suspend.

http://www.congressmatters.com/story/2009/2/7/161443/9275/436/583

"...Brown's vote is crucial, so Majority Leader Harry Reid will probably have to hold the vote open until the Ohio senator arrives."

But if the Republicans complain, he'll probably cave and close the vote before Brown gets back.

And since he'll be afraid that they'll complain again, he'll rule that the GOP gets 5 extra votes, to keep things fair.

Then they'll complain that he didn't give them 10.

With any luck this travesty of a bill will be defeated!

given the fact they weren't even given time to READ the damn thing, I think a no vote was most logical.

Those who didn't have time to read it and voted yes were most irresponsible and shouldn't BE Congresspeople, IMO!

That's just ridiculous!

Darn SKIPPY! Thank GOD!!!

I don't know about Obama, but I'm satisfied that any real hope of bipartisanship is dead. If the Republicans are willing to play partisan chicken with the future of the nation, then the hell with them. If they aren't willing to act like rational humans and members of the same citizenry as the rest of us in this time of financial crisis, then the chance that they will be constructively skeptical on other pressing needs (global warming legislation, health care, realigning and rebuilding our military, restoring the American justice system, etc.) is effectively nil.

There's real work that needs to be done to save ourselves and if this is the best they can do, let them complain and stamp their feet all they want. I have confidence that the last eight years have cured the majority of citizens of falling for their song and dance.