The 110th Congress: The Block and Blame Game

Being blocked by 54 filibusters aimed mostly against conservative judicial appointments by George W. Bush, in 2005 Republican majority leaders made a pitch to abolish the filibuster.

www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/05/10/filibuster_ban_gets_white_house_nudge/

Should a strong Democratic majority -- 58, assuming the still contested Minnesota and Georgia seats don't turn blue -- attempt to do the same?

Like Rodney Dangerfield, this Congress doesn't get much respect. Americans rate it slightly above sludge, but below George Bush, the least admired president in the history of polling.

Who gets the blame for the so-called "Do Nothing Congress?"

Well, as the chart from Secretary of the Senate, shows from January 4, 2007 through November 25, 2008, 138 cloture motions have been filed. That's 34 more than the record-setting chart at the right shows.

Majority rule has essentially been repealed by the F-word Congress. Without the super-majority of sixty votes to end the filibusters, the accomplishments of the 110th Congress were limited (GI-Bill, Children's Health Care and minimum wage as riders as notable exceptions to Progressives; continued stimulus packages to all Americans a victory in the conservative column). The 'Do Nothingness' was reinforced by over 131 veto threats by President Bush (who never issued a veto when Republican majority Congresses ran up record deficits on Capitol Hill).

So the question for the new 111th Congress coming in January, should it move to remove the filibuster? Or is the procedure a needed part of the Cup and Saucer dance that is currently like a slow Washington waltz?

Here is a look at how that 111th Congress breaks down, statistically.

www.cqpolitics.com/cq-assets/cqmultimedia/pdfs/NM-guide-statistics.pdf

Thanksgiving -- a political cultural event

This year marks the 61st anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. Though live Thanksgiving turkeys have been presented intermittently to presidents since the Lincoln administration, the current ceremony dates to 1947, when the first National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented to President Harry Truman.

So while they say not to talk about religion or politics around the Thanksgiving Day table, here is the Political Warrior cornucopia of political/historical/religious/culture info to impress your guest this Turkey Day.

Starting with the 'Chief Turkey' follow this link to the White House website, where you can find film of President George W. Bush pardon "Pumpkin & Pecan" the two birds that were saved by the president's signature Wednesday.

www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/thanksgiving/2008/

Next this short film from the History Channel has much on our Poltical Culture as linked with Thanksgiving -- watch for how FDR wanted to move up Thanksgiving to spur on the economy and the Christmas shopping season. "Franksgiving?"

Did you know that the author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" was behind the US making Thanksgiving a national holiday, that Lincoln was the president who initiated this, that there is no proof that turkey was actually eaten on the first Thanksgiving. So many nice tidbits in this video and more of the story here.

And finally, from CBS 2 School the two have their take on the POLs that best play the role of the staples of today's truly American holiday table.

VIDEO: Politics And Thanksgiving

Have a great Thanksgiving. I am thankful for you reading and blogging!

Some 'sweet' influences on Daylight Savings Rider

(Before we all let stores squeeze Thanksgiving and rush into a challenging Christmas shopping season, let's peak back at Halloween one more time and re-visit influences on lawmaking on Capitol Hill. This post origninally posted on Political Warrior in Nov. 2007)

Last year's Trick-or-Treating was different. Because Congress in 2007 moved Daylight Savings time back to the first Saturday in Novemeber, my son went to a record number of doors in the Sunlight. (In 2008, I think he set a new record)

"I got lots of candy more than ever before,'' said then nine-year-old Patrick. "It should have been night, because night is cooler going trick-or-treating, and the houses are more lit up. But I probably wouldn't have got as much candy."

Hmm. Despite the fact that Patrick did get tooth paste at one house, the load of his loot may have been due to influences on Capitol Hill. The New York Times City Room Blog says the candy lobby gave an influential push for a rider to the 2005 Engergy Policy Act.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_Policy_Act_of_2005
The NYT story on the influences on federal lawmakers to shed more light on Halloween night (child safety was also a legitimate concern) is linked here:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/31/an-extra-hour-of-daylight-thank-the-candy-lobby/index.html?hp

More evidence of your government at work. Just for post-Halloween fun, blog any legislation ideas you have to make Halloween more fun.

Remember many District 204 schools have legislated policy banning all of the Halloween hoopla.

Moore: CEOs want socialism for themselves

This post is partly for my sociology class, which just finished watching "Roger & Me." Twenty years after taking General Motors greed to task in his debut documentary, filmaker Michael Moore spoke with anger on Larry King Live Wednesday -- saying the American Auto industry is same as it ever was. Maybe only now it is apparent that that is not good for the country, or the planet.

"They don't believe in free enterprise or free market. They want socialism for themselves. They want a handout and a net for themselves. To hell with everybody else, but give it to them. And I think, really, what we're seeing now — with them, with the banks — we're seeing the end of capitalism, the end of capitalism as we know it ..." – Michael Moore

The New Trough (VIDEO)
Harry Reid "can't get the votes to bail out the auto companies because that's going to help a lot of blue-collar people – people that don't have a voice, who don't have lobbyists fighting for them on Capitol Hill ..."

'What Roosevelt Did' (VIDEO)
"President-elect Obama has to say to them, 'yes, we're going to use this money to save these jobs but we're not going to build these gas-guzzling, unsafe vehicles any longer.' ... they are to build mass transit, they are to build hybrid cars ..."

'Fire the Management' (VIDEO)
"... they've not only hurt themselves, they've helped to provide some of the fodder for this economic collapse that we're facing ..."

Obama Senate Replacement: Will Blago pick be for governing or politics?

(CBS2 School)

HELP WANTED:

Description:U.S. Senate seeks an exceptional individual to join the nation’s leadership team. Aligned to our Illinois State Constitution succession planning process, Governor Blagojevich is focusing his efforts to identify a dynamic leader to continue the nation’s vision for success. This leadership opportunity is available due to a recent resignation (for a very good reason.)

Job Summary: The junior U.S. Senator from Illinois is a full-time, 12-month representative assignment. The selected individual will work closely with the senior U.S. Senator from Illinois (Dick Durbin) during the next two years and will share the responsibility for the representation of the state in the U.S. Senate. This individual will also share the responsibility for congressional oversight of the executive branch. They should also plan on spending the next two years building statewide political alliances and a campaign war chest in seeking election for a 6-year-term in 2010.

Qualifications: Qualified applicants must be a U.S. Citizen for at least 9 years, 30 years old, and reside in the State of Illinois. Applicants must demonstrate a history of working effectively with diverse constitutencies; the ability to promote a positive climate for the Democratic Party; skill at organizing personnel to manage a Senate office, and a track record of formulating and of achieving short and long-range legislative goals. The person selected must also remove their name from consideration as a 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidate.

Working Conditions: A transition plan will be developed and the identified candidate will be sworn in on January 6, 2009. The salary for this position will be $169,300 and include a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should submit an application and mail/attach a letter of interest, résumé, copies of transcripts and three letters of reference to: Governor Rod Blagojevich, James R. Thompson Center?100 W. Randolph, Chicago, IL 60601

P.S. Republicans need not apply.

VIDEO: The Open Senate Seat
______________________

DemConWatch.com reported this last week:

As of right now it looks like it may be either Tammy Duckworth or Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. Congressman Jackson isn't hiding his desire to take over for Obama in the Senate. Tammy Duckworth hasn't sent out any releases to my knowledge but she has said she's interested in the job.

Duckworth, now the Illinois Veterans Affairs director, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Obama in the U.S. Senate or as Veterans Affairs secretary in an Obama administration.

She accompanied Obama as the Illinois senator marked Veterans Day by placing a wreath at the bronze soldiers memorial between the Field Museum and Soldier Field in Chicago.

Duckworth, then a pilot with the Illinois Army National Guard, lost both her legs in Iraq in 2004 when her Black Hawk helicopter was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

She has said she would be interested in either the Senate seat or a post in Obama’s administration.

“I would be honored to be able to do that on a national level,” Duckworth told The Associated Press recently about the prospect of helping veterans. - Army Times

The F-word Congress: Filibuster kills Auto bailout vote

CQ politics reports on the one thing the 110th Congress has done well: Filibuster. Many of the auto workers, leaving their plant in Warren, Mich. above, may have another F-word for their Washington lawmakers....and the CEO's of their companies, who each flew in separate private company jets to Capitol to testify in committees on Tuesday.

"Rust Belt senators worked late Wednesday on a last-gasp compromise after Republicans blocked efforts to carve an additional $25 billion for the auto industry out of the $700 billion financial bailout package.

Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., voiced little hope that the effort would succeed and did not promise that the Senate would consider the legislation being negotiated by Sens. Carl Levin , D-Mich., George V. Voinovich , R-Ohio, and Christopher S. Bond , R-Mo.

It remained unclear whether there would be 60 votes for the compromise and whether House leaders would embrace it.

With senators anxious to leave town Thursday after a possible vote on extending jobless benefits, action on auto industry assistance this week remained unlikely but not out of the question.

Republicans and the Bush administration oppose aiding the auto industry from the financial bailout fund (PL 110-343), preferring to alter an existing auto loan program at the Department of Energy to let automakers access it immediately. Minority Whip Jon Kyl , R-Ariz., blocked Reid’s attempt to move an auto loan bill (S 3689) on Wednesday.

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002988419

Will Quacks Bailout Auto Industry?

In American politics, a “lame duck” is any politician leaving office as a successor awaits.

The term is typically applied to presidents who will be leaving the White House but are awaiting the inauguration date of January 20th to turn power over to their successor. Like a duck wounded by a hunter, this president lies powerless as those with power approach.

This week, the Congress begins a lame duck session as at least 56 current members will be leaving as of January 6th, 2009. But with S.O.S. calls coming daily from the struggling U.S. auto industry, much is being asked from this lame duck Congress.

Arguing that hundreds of thousands of American manufacturing jobs could be put at risk with no action, Democratic congressional leaders have set the goal of getting at least $25 billion of the $700 billion bailout package set aside for the Big 3 of Detroit. These leaders say the auto industry can not wait until January 20th for action.

The Bush Administration has not rejected the bailout proposal, but has hinted that he would favor using money that had been set aside for the 2007 Energy Bill for any bailout of the auto industry.

Students of government should keep their eyes open for some interesting lame duck legislative intrigue in the coming days with classic legislative lingo resting at the center of this D.C. drama.

Filibuster: A filibuster is a weapon used in the Senate by the minority side (currently Republicans) to permanently delay a bill with permanent debate. It can successfully kill a bill unless 60 Senators vote to limit debate with “cloture.”

Unlike the next Congress, this lame duck Congress has a very narrowly divided Senate where Republicans might very well resort to using endless filibusters to prevent their chamber from passing any bailout.

VETO: If a bailout bill manages to survive a Senate filibuster, President Bush might decide to kill the bill with his Veto power. To pass a bill that has been vetoed, two-thirds of the House and the Senate must then vote to approve the bill. This is not too likely with the narrow Democratic majorities in the 110th Congress.

Pocket Veto: If Congress passes a bill with less than 10 days left in its session, President Bush can simply choose not to sign this legislation into law. In this case, the law is automatically rejected with this “pocket veto.”

111th Congress: The field changes on January 6th with the swearing in of the new 11th Congress. With a more powerful Democratic majority in both chambers, the 111th Congress could turn up the heat on President Bush before his departure on January 20th.

Inauguration: On January 20th, President Obama comes to town with a whole lot of power to replace the lame duck president. He will certainly be more willing to work with the Democratic Congress, but many question what the U.S. auto industry will look like after weeks of lame ducks.

(CBS2School)

VIDEO: The Lame Duck Congress