November 15, 2002
FILIBUSTER POLITICS:
For Democrats, are darker days ahead?: They had it bad this year, but 2004 could shape up to be even worse (Howard Mortman, 11/14/02, MSNBC)Democrats won't admit they're worried about party-switching. Yet. But Republicans are zeroing in for the kill. Here's a great example: To hammer out the compromise on homeland security, the White House worked closely with Democratic centrist Sens. John Breaux, Ben Nelson and Zell Miller. All three have been publicly rumored to be game for the other party. Trent Lott said on 'Meet the Press' that he talks to those three 'all the time' about joining his team. For the record, they all consistently knock down such talk. Still, what a way to conduct public tryouts.
Even if these guys don't switch, you'd have to think that they and several other Democrats would tend to vote with the GOP to break some Democrat filibusters. This could provide a terrific dynamic for the '04 campaign where the GOP would be able to contrast a hardy band of bipartisan Democrats with the obstructionist far left-wing that kept blocking action through filibuster. Posted by Orrin Judd at November 15, 2002 2:23 PM
These three know how to work a system. They'll get much more by staying with the Democrats. The Republicans will court them to break filibusters, and the Democrats will do likewise just to hold on to them. The only way they'll switch is if they're outright snubbed by the their party. Daschle's a lot of things, but he ain't stupid, certainly not that stupid.
Posted by: Derek Copold at November 15, 2002 1:28 PMYou know what F. Gump's mom said: Stupid is...
Posted by: oj at November 15, 2002 2:14 PMWait until you read Bruce Walker's article in the next issue of Enter Stage Right. Back in January Bruce made a series of predictions about the November elections that right across the board. His prediction for 2004? Let's just say Republicans are going to be smiling...
Posted by: Steven Martinovich at November 15, 2002 3:33 PMHeck, I'm already smiling. Even without party switching I think they add 4 to 8 seats in the Senate in '04
Posted by: oj at November 15, 2002 7:56 PMDerek,
On his own, Daschle is not that stupid. But the problem isn't Tom Daschle, the problem is the Democratic Party.
Nancy Pelosi is now the House Minority Leader. I think it's safe to say she will be pushing the Dems in the House towards the Left and not the center.
Where does that leave Daschle and the Senate Dems? If the stuff that is getting pushed up from below consistently slants Left, Daschle, as effectively the most powerful Democrat pending the 2004 elections' outcome, has to accommodate them. Which means, in turn, most likely offending Breaux, Miller, etc. Or, he can cater to them, and offend the true believers, both in the House, in the Senate (who has inherited Wellstone's mantle, btw?), and on the street.
Given the number of hard-core Dems already
baying for more liberal red meat, I'd say Daschle will find himself in an increasingly difficult position.....
For Democrats, are Darker Days Ahead?
Okay, all together now:
(sarcasm)
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!
(/sarcasm)
What in the w’rld is g“i—g ”n with your text? Talk about putting up visual roadblocks!
Posted by: manny at November 16, 2002 9:12 AM