Now A Republican Disses Rubio For Skipping Town Halls

Rep. Justin Amash delievers a mean diss to fellow Republican Sen. Marco Rubio for failing to do town hall meetings in Florida. Rubio's office recently said the Senator was in Germany and could not perform town hall meetings. Two amateur videos captured Rubio in Florida.

We finally caught up with Senator Marco Rubio at @FIU. He told us that he won't host a townhall because people act "rude and stupid." pic.twitter.com/DrefDkvrFD

— Tomas Kennedy (@Tomaskenn) February 23, 2017

Sen. Bernie Sanders was extremely hard on Rubio.

Bernie Sanders: "If you don’t have the guts to face your constituents, then you shouldn’t be" in Congress https://t.co/TySrkSyNcT

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2017

“If you need police at the meetings, that’s fine, have police at the meetings, have security at the meetings,” Sanders said. “But don’t use that as an excuse to run away from your constituents after you support repealing the Affordable Care Act, throwing 20 million people off of health insurance, doing away with preexisting conditions. If you are going to do all those things, answer the questions that your constituents have.”

Rubio told Jim Defede that town halls aren't town hall meetings, anymore. Rubio's reasoning is that liberal activists are coming to the meetings. Rubio does nopt see it, but those liberal activists are his constituents.

Quote of the Day

"If You Don't Want to Vote on Things, Don't Run for Office. Get a Talk Show."

Sen. Marco Rubio

Florida's junior Senator has missed the most votes in the Senate.

Court Vacancies Prove Orrin Hatch Is Full of Shit

MSNBC notes that President Barack Obama has had more judicial nominees blocked than President Bill Clinton or President George W. Bush. Adam Serwer correctly points out Republicans are intentionally not filling the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.

That’s because Republicans have decided that no more Obama administration nominees should be placed on the DC Circuit. Three of the eleven seats on the court are vacant, and placing Democratic nominees on the bench would end conservative dominance of the DC Circuit which handles key regulatory and national security cases. Republicans’ specific ideological objections to the nominees don’t matter as much as their conviction that any Democratic appointees would skew the court to the left, which they want to prevent. Obama has had fewer federal judges confirmed than either of his predecessors. Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley wants to eliminate three seats on the court so as to keep Obama from appointing judges to fill them.

Republican during the Bush years, senators like Orrin Hatch cried for an "up and down vote"?

"...I think we should bind both Democrats and Republicans that presidential nominees for the judiciary deserve an up-and-down vote once they reach the floor..." (Orrin Hatch discusses debate in Senate..., NPR, 5/19/05)

Hatch sang a different tune in the op-ed pages of USA Today. Hatch wrote that the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit didn't have much of a case load. Hatch falsely claimed that Democrats were making a scandal out of nothing. What Hatch fails to mention is that there are 3 seats that need to be filled.

Democrats also want to use a manufactured confirmation confrontation as an excuse to eliminate judicial filibusters. Never mind that Democrats blocked four times as many confirmation votes by filibusters under President Bush than have occurred under President Obama. Never mind that Senate Democratic leaders voted more than two dozen times for judicial filibusters, including against a D.C. Circuit nominee. Even then-Sen. Obama voted for several judicial filibusters, including a Supreme Court nominee.

So much for Sen. Orrin Hatch being for an up and down vote.

Quote of the Day: John McCain Edition

"Many of those who are in opposition right now were not here at the time, and did not take part in the debate and I respect that. But I'd like to remind them that the record is very clear of one of the most hard-fought, fair -- in my view -- debates that has taken place on the floor of the Senate in the time that I've been here.

"And then I'd remind my colleagues that in the 2012 election, 'Obamacare,' as it's called -- and I'll be more polite, the ACA --was a subject that was a major issue in the campaign. I campaigned all over America for two months, everywhere I could, and in every single campaign rally I said, 'And we have to repeal and replace Obamacare.'

"Well, the people spoke. They spoke, much to my dismay, but they spoke and they reelected the president of the United States."

Sen. John McCain, on the floor of the Senate.

McCain is telling other Republicans it's over. The GOP has lost the debate on health care reform.

Quote of the Day: Ted Cruz Hypocrisy Edition

"To reiterate what’s happened since Cruz took to the Senate floor for his 21 hour fakeibuster, he said he would speak in opposition to Obamacare until he could not stand. An hour later, he took a break. His grandstanding efforts were simply a means to rail against President Obama, and in the end, he voted against himself."

Anomaly

It apppears someone who likes to grandstand doesn't like to stand for a long period of time.

U.S. Senate Seniority Ranking

Patrick Leahy goes into the 113th Congress as the ranking Senator. The ranking member is the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. That makes Sen. Leahy the third in line to replace the President under the Constitution.

The seniority ranking of the rest of the Senate.

1. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt. Jan. 3, 1975

2. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah Jan. 3, 1977

3. Max Baucus, D-Mont. Dec. 15, 1978

4. Thad Cochran, R-Miss. Dec. 27, 1978

5. Carl Levin, D-Mich. Jan. 3, 1979

6. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa Jan. 3, 1981

7. John Kerry, D-Mass. Jan. 3, 1985

8. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa Jan. 3, 1985

9. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Jan. 3, 1985

10. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. Jan. 15, 1985

11. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md. Jan. 6, 1987

12. Richard C. Shelby, R-Ala. Jan. 6, 1987

13. John McCain, R-Ariz. Jan. 6, 1987

14. Harry Reid, D-Nev. Jan. 6, 1987

15. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Nov. 10, 1992

16. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. Jan. 5, 1993

17. Patty Murray, D-Wash. Jan. 5, 1993

18. James M. Inhofe, R-Okla. Nov. 30, 1994

19. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. Feb. 6, 1996

20. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. Jan. 7, 1997

21. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill. Jan. 7, 1997

22. Tim Johnson, D-S.D. Jan. 7, 1997

23. Jack Reed, D-R.I. Jan. 7, 1997

24. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La. Jan. 7, 1997

25. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. Jan. 7, 1997

26. Susan Collins, R-Maine Jan. 7, 1997

27. Michael B. Enzi, R-Wyo. Jan. 7, 1997

28. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. Jan. 3, 1999

29. Michael D. Crapo, R-Idaho Jan. 3, 1999

30. Thomas R. Carper, D-Del. Jan. 3, 2001

31. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. Jan. 3, 2001

32. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. Jan. 3, 2001

33. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. Jan. 3, 2001

34. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska Dec. 20, 2002

35. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J. Jan. 3, 2003

36. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. Jan. 3, 2003

37. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Jan. 3, 2003

38. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. Jan. 3, 2003

39. John Cornyn, R-Texas Jan. 3, 2003

40. Mark Pryor, D-Ark. Jan. 3, 2003

41. Richard M. Burr, R-N.C. Jan. 4, 2005

42. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga. Jan. 4, 2005

43. David Vitter, R-La. Jan. 4, 2005

44. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. Jan. 4, 2005

45. John Thune, R-S.D. Jan. 4, 2005

46. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. Jan. 18, 2006

47. Benjamin L. Cardin, D-Md. Jan. 4, 2007

48. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt. Jan. 4, 2007

49. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio Jan. 4, 2007

50. Bob Casey, D-Pa. Jan. 4, 2007

51. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. Jan. 4, 2007

52. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. Jan. 4, 2007

53. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. Jan. 4, 2007

54. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Jan. 4, 2007

55. Jon Tester, D-Mont. Jan. 4, 2007

56. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. June 25, 2007

57. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. Dec. 31, 2007

58. Mark Udall, D-Colo. Jan. 6, 2009

59. Tom Udall, D-N.M. Jan. 6, 2009

60. Mike Johanns, R-Neb. Jan. 6, 2009

61. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. Jan. 6, 2009

62. Mark Warner, D-Va. Jan. 6, 2009

63. Jim Risch, R-Idaho Jan. 6, 2009

64. Kay Hagan, D-N.C. Jan. 6, 2009

65. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. Jan. 6, 2009

66. Mark Begich, D-Alaska Jan. 6, 2009

67. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. Jan. 22, 2009

68. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. Jan. 27, 2009

69. Al Franken, D-Minn. July 7, 2009

70. Joe Manchin III, D-W.Va. Nov. 15, 2010

71. Chris Coons, D-Del. Nov. 15, 2010

72. Mark S. Kirk, R-Ill. Nov. 29, 2010

73. Dan Coats, R-Ind. Jan. 5, 2011

74. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. Jan. 5, 2011

75. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. Jan. 5, 2011

76. Rob Portman, R-Ohio Jan. 5, 2011

77. John Boozman, R-Ark. Jan. 5, 2011

78. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa. Jan. 5, 2011

79. John Hoeven, R-N.D. Jan. 5, 2011

80. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Jan. 5, 2011

81. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. Jan. 5, 2011

82. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Jan. 5, 2011

83. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. Jan. 5, 2011

84. Mike Lee, R-Utah Jan. 5, 2011

85. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H. Jan. 5, 2011

86. Dean Heller, R-Nev. May 9, 2011

87. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii Dec. 27, 2012

88. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. Jan. 3, 2013

89. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., Jan. 3, 2013

90. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. Jan. 3, 2013

91. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn. Jan. 3, 2013

92. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii Jan. 3, 2013

93. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. Jan. 3, 2013

94. Tim Scott, R-S.C. Jan. 3, 2013

95. Tim Kaine, D-Va. Jan. 3, 2013

96. Angus King, I-Maine Jan. 3, 2013

97. Ted Cruz, R-Texas Jan. 3, 2013

98. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Jan. 3, 2013

99. Deb Fischer, R-Neb. Jan. 3, 2013

100. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.

Tax Cuts Bill Passes Senate

The Obama - Republican tax compromise passed 81 to 19. The bill heads now to the House. There are enough Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats to pass the bill.

Update: The senators that voted no on the tax cut compromise.

Bingaman (D-NM)
Coburn (R-OK)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Ensign (R-NV)
Feingold (D-WI)
Gillibrand (D-NY)

Hagan (D-NC)
Harkin (D-IA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Merkley (D-OR)
Sanders (I-VT)

Sessions (R-AL)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Wyden (D-OR)

Sen Sanders Call to Action

Sen, Bernie Sanders said he is issuing a "call to action" and not a filibuster. Progressives are urging 1,000,000 citizen calls to the Senate for a better tax bill. The phone number of the United States Senate is 1-866-338-1015.

Al Franken DADT Speech

Al Franken gave a stirring speech on the Senate floor about the insanity of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Franken recounts during a USO show in 2006 and making a DADT joke. After the show, female soldiers came up to Franken and him they were gay. Franken is moved nearly to tears giving the speech.

Let me also briefly tell you about my experience. Before I was a Senator, I did a number of USO tours over the years. And on each tour, I was more and more impressed by the men and women of our military.

I always did Don't Ask Don't Tell material, and over the years that I did the tours, you could feel the change in the military.

I was on, I think, my seventh tour. As we always did, we had an eclectic show, and it was a long show too. Most of the troops would be standing for four hours during the show, though I remember during this one particular show at one of our bases, there was a group of female soldiers sitting in the bleachers who were particularly enthusiastic.

The troops loved the show, probably because otherwise they spent all of their time either in danger, or incredibly bored.

So I got to my Don't Ask Don't Tell material. "One thing I don't get," I'd say, "is Don't Ask Don't Tell. The bravest serve. Take your commander, for instance. He's one of the bravest men ever to serve in the U.S. military. And he's also one of the gayest. General, stand up, thank you!" The troops loved this, they thought it was hilarious, everyone was cheering and laughing - maybe especially those female soldiers up in the bleachers.

And at the end of the show, there was a very moving performance of a patriotic song, which was always very emotional. The commander gave each of us a flag that flew over the base - I still have it in my office - and he told me, "Al, keep telling those Don't Ask Don't Tell jokes." And that group of female soldiers up in the bleachers came up to me after the show to tell me how much they loved my Don't Ask Don't Tell material, and that it was personally important to them.

McCain Crazy Rant Hate Crimes & DADT

John McCain on the Senate floor is what conservatives wanting to maintain the status quo on homophobia sound like. McCain shouts and waves his hands in the air. Carl Levin defeats McCain's by pointing out the Hate Crimes bill was already voted upon in the Senate. Levin is amazed McCain is debating already decided legislation.

McCain complains about how Republicans don't get their amendments in legislation. That would have something to do with Democrats holding the majority. Sen. McCain did his part to help Democrats win the Senate by being on the top of the ticket.

McCain makes an argument against 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Levin points out to McCain every member of the Senate will have an opportunity to vote on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' That is the last thing McCain wants.

Why Republicans Want to Kill Financial Reform

The Senate Republicans commit political suicide by blocking the financial reform bill from being debated on the Senate floor. An ABC News/Washington Post poll found that 65 percent support stricter regulation. The GOP establishment is unhappy that Republican voters aren't strongly against financial reform. The same poll shows 52 percent of Americans trust Obama on financial reform.

Steve Benen asked why are Republicans scared to debate financial reform on the Senate floor.

But Republicans have a different approach in mind — they don’t want to even start the debate. Despite all the talk of the last year about transparency, GOP officials insist that all work on Wall Street reform occur behind closed doors, and the ideas that could be debated on the floor are instead hashed out in secret, in between Republican fundraisers with representatives of the very institutions affected by the legislation.

The answer is Wall Street gives out more lobbying money than any other industry. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. John Cornyn met with 25 Wall Street executives to ask for more lobbying money. Republicans will kill financial reform in exchange for Wall Street helping get more Republicans elected. That is why Republican Senators have no interest in debating financial reform.

Republicans No Longer Heart Up & Down Votes

Americablog has a fascinating video of Senate Republicans blocking every single nominee of President Barack Obama. Republicans bitched and moaned about an "up or down vote" when President Bush was in the White House.

Sen. Bill Frist, speaking on bahalf on Bush nominee Priscilla Owen.

Mr. President, I rise today as the leader of the majority party of the Senate. But I do not rise for party. I rise for principle. I rise for the principle that judicial nominees with the support of a majority of senators deserve up-or-down votes on this floor.

Sen. Lamar Alexander warned the (then minority) Democrats not to oppose Bush's judicial nominees.

"I am beginning to think it is a train and that there is not much way to avoid a train wreck. The train wreck I am talking about is a threat by the minority to 'shut the Senate down in every way' if the majority adopts rules that will do what the Senate has done for 200 years, which is to vote up or down the President's appellate judicial nominees."

With Obama in the Oval Office, Alexander now supports denying an up and down vote on Obama's nominee to replace Supreme Court Justice Stevens. It's amazing how an election can change Sen. Alexander's outlook towards nominees.

“Justice Stevens has had a long and impressive career. I hope President Obama will nominate his successor from the middle and not from the fringe. His nominee will be fairly and respectfully considered. The question is not whether the president’s nominee is politically ‘on my side,’ but whether he or she is well-qualified and has a record of being impartial. In truly extraordinary cases, I reserve the prerogative to vote no on confirmation or even to vote to deny an up-or-down vote.”

Sen. John Cornyn, in an op-ed piece for the National Review. The irony of the op-ed reads like an Onion parody.

After all, it is wrong for a partisan minority of senators to treat good people like statistics; wrong to mistreat distinguished jurists with unprecedented filibusters and unconscionable character attacks; wrong to hijack the Constitution and seize control of the judicial-confirmation process from the president and a bipartisan majority of the Senate; wrong to deny up-or-down votes to judicial nominees simply because a partisan minority of senators cannot persuade the bipartisan majority to vote against a nominee; and wrong not to play fair, follow tradition, and allow a vote. Once is bad enough, and four unconstitutional filibusters is four too many.

Yes, it would be wrong for a legislative minority to oppose nominees strictly for partisan purposes. Thank you for pointing that out, Sen. Cornyn.

Tea Party Threatens Senate Parliamentarian

The Tea Party strategy of terror and intimidation continues. Teabaggers plan to protest in front of the the home of Senate Parliamentarian Alan Frumin. The role of the Parliamentarian is to advise the Preciding Officer (Which can be a member of the Senate or Vice-President) on the Standing Rules of the United States Senate. The Parliamentarian does not make policy. He merely advises the Senate or their rules of procedure.

That hasn't stopped the Tea Party activists from posting Frumin's address online. Sen. Kent Conrad told Fox News threats have been made against Frumin.

"The irony here is that he has people threatening him, but here's a guy who's held against us," Conrad said, referring to Frumin's ruling Wednesday night that will effectively send the bill back to the House because of minor changes.

The Tea Party blab on about how they support the Constitution. The Constitution states the Senate selects their officers. Frumin was appointed by both political parties.

Except for the Vice President, the Senate elects its own officers. The President pro tempore is usually the longest-serving member of the majority party. Other elected officers include a chaplain, secretary of the Senate, and sergeant at arms, who are not senators.

The Tea Party doesn't care about the Constitution. President Obama lowered taxes. These sociopaths just want to get their hate on.

Dodd Fact-Checks Republicans

Sen. Chris Dodd blasts Republicans for false claims that they were not included in the health care bill writing process. Dodd proves this by noting Sen. Mike Enzi wrote 41 amendments to the Senate bill. He notes the irony of Republicans wanting to help write a a public option health care bill. Republicans stating from the get go they would not vote for any bill containing the public option.

Party of No Votes Against Health Care Legislation Appearing Online

Republicans have been beating the drum over the text of the health care bill being online. All 40 Republican Senators signed a letter demanding Majority Leader Harry Reid put the health care legislation on the internent.

With an issue this large and complex, we need full transparency at every stage in the legislative process. President Obama was elected, in part, on his promise to bring greater transparency to the workings of the federal government. The American people and every member of Congress should be allowed to read the bill that was sent to CBO. The bill should be made available for taxpayers to read and learn how the federal government is spending their money. We are writing to request that you immediately make all materials sent to CBO publicly available on the internet.

Guess what? Senate Republicans just voted against an unanimous consent agreement that would require health care legislation being posted online. Apparently, they didn't expect Reid to find their demand reasonable. Republicans are truly the Party of No.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Senate has released the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I am reading the bill now. President Barack Obama issued a statement on the bill.

Today we passed another critical milestone in the health reform effort with the release of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I was particularly pleased to see that the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill will reduce the deficit by $127 billion over the next ten years and as much as $650 billion in the decade following, saving hundreds of billions while extending coverage to 31 million more Americans.

From day one, our goal has been to enact legislation that offers stability and security to those who have insurance and affordable coverage to those who don't, and that lowers costs for families, businesses and governments across the country. Majority Leader Reid, Chairmen Baucus and Dodd, and countless Senators have worked tirelessly to craft legislation that meets those principles.

Just yesterday, a bipartisan group of more than 20 leading health economists released a letter urging passage of meaningful reform and praising four key provisions that are in the Senate legislation: a fee on insurance companies offering high-premium plans, the establishment of an independent Medicare commission, reforms to the health care delivery system, and overall deficit neutrality. The economists said that these provisions 'will reduce long-term deficits, improve the quality of care, and put the nation on a firm fiscal footing.' Those are precisely the goals we should be seeking to attain.

The challenges facing our health care system aren't new - but if we fail to act they'll surely get even worse, meaning higher premiums, skyrocketing costs, and deeper instability for those with coverage. Today, thanks to the Senate's hard work, we're closer than ever to enacting solutions to these problems. I look forward to working with the Senate and House to get a finished bill to my desk as soon as possible.

Update: the bill's lanuage clearly states no federal funds maybe used for abortions.

ABORTIONS FOR WHICH PUBLIC FUNDING IS PROHIBITED. The services described in this clause are abortions for which the expenditure of Federal funds appropriated for the Department of Health and Human Services is not permitted, based on the law as in effect as of the date that is 6 months before the beginning of the plan year involved.

Sec. Kathleen Sebelius will have the power to determine what over funding relating to abortion. That dtermination will be made by the CBO and Government Accountability Office. The bill states insurers are not required to carry coverage for abortions. The bill is following the law of the hidious Hyde amentment.

NO PREEMPTION OF STATE LAWS REGARDING ABORTION.— Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or otherwise have any effect on state laws regarding the prohibition of (or requirement of) coverage, funding, or procedural requirements on abortions, including parental notification or consent for the performance of an abortion on a minor.

Reid wants private insurers to federal funds from private premiums. The short answer is we are requiring health insurers to create different accounts.

The senate bill will tax costemic surgery. I'm looking forward to Republicans standing up for less taxes on boob jobs.

Update: RH Reality Check finds the bill does not contain language as Draconian as the Stupak-Pitts amendment.

45 Senators Support Public Option

Open Left has kept track of members of the U.S. Senate in favor of the health care insurance public option. The current total is 45.

For Public Option

CA - Boxer (D)
CA - Feinstein (D)
CO - Bennet (D)
CO - Udall (D)
CT- Dodd (D)
DE - Kaufman (D)
HI - Akaka (D)
HI - Inouye (D)
IA - Harkin (D)
IL - Burris (D)
IL - Durbin (D)
MA - Kerry (D)
MA - Kennedy (D)
MD - Cardin (D)
MD - Mikulski (D)
MI - Levin (D)
MI - Stabenow (D)
MN - Franken (D)
MN - Klobuchar (D)
MO - McCaskill (D)
NC - Hagan (D)
ND - Dorgan (D)
NH - Shaheen (D)
NJ - Lautenberg
NJ - Menendez (D)
NM - Bingaman (D)
NM - Udall (D)
NV - Reid (D)
NY - Gillibrand (D)
NY - Schumer (D)
OH - Brown (D)
OR - Merkley (D)
PA - Casey (D)
PA - Specter (D)
RI - Reed (D)
RI - Whitehouse (D)
SD - Johnson (D)
VA - Webb (D)
VT - Leahy (D)
VT - Sanders (I)
WA - Cantwell (D)
WA - Murray (D)
WI - Feingold (D)
WI - Kohl (D)
WV - Rockefeller (D)

The Fence Sitters

AK - Begich (D)
AR - Lincoln (D)
AR - Pryor (D)
DE - Carper (D)
FL - Bill Nelson (D)
IN - Bayh (D)
LA - Landrieu (D)
MT - Baucus (D)
MT - Tester (D)
ND - Conrad (D)
NE - Ben Nelson (D)
OR - Wyden (D)
VA - Warner (D)


I am not going to even count the Republican maybe votes on Open Left's list. There is no way the GOP is going to let Republicans vote for the public option. Obama keeps hunting for Republican votes. The logic of putting no presuure on Evan Bayh and Max Baucas while searching for nonexistant Republican votes continues to amaze me.

Robert Byrd and Ted Kennedy are too physically ill to vote. Joe Lieberman is a firmly committed no vote. 15 votes are needed to break a filibuster. The votes are not there.

Collins-Nelson Cloture Vote

The Senate voted 61-36 for cloture on the Susan Collins-Ben Nelson compromise. Collins and Arlen Specter were the only Republicans to break ranks. The revamped stimulus bill will go for a floor vote.

Policy wise: Obama is going to have to ask for another stimulus package. The House version was too small. It is simply too small to make a significant impact. The added tax cuts and stimulus spending will add to the deficit.

Politically: Obama has never shown an inclination to get in the mud. The Republicans got their tax cuts. Obama got a stimulus plan that will failed. Republicans are positioning themselves for the midterms. Republicans were never serious about returning Obama's efforts at bipartisanship.

Obama should had the bill sent back to the House. Strip the tax cuts and put in the infrastucture spending. Let House and Senate Republicans vote against it. Newt Gingrich tried to force Bill Clinton's hand by shutting down the government. Clinton refused further Medicare, Medicaid and education cuts. Gingrich lost. Badly. The next year, Clinton was elected for his second term.

Maybe Obama wants the Republicans to attack him. The latest CNN poll show with a 76 percent approval rating. A key number is 39 percent say Republicans are cooperating with Obama.

Update: Andrew Sullivan calls the political battle in Obama's favor.

Should Obama become a partisan attack-dog in response? Check out the Gallup poll here. If Krugman, Yglesias and Brown are right, these polls are very wrong. Obama is winning the stimulus fight - because he seems more connected to the actual crisis people are confronting than his rivals in both parties, and more reasonable in finding a way forward.

Macaca Man Comeback?

Stuff this funny can not be made up. The Washington Times reports George Allen will host a dinner to discuss running for the Senate again. Allen would be running for John Warner's seat if he decides to retire.

How does Allen expect people to forget this video?