The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Farewell, Filibusters

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Farewell, Filibusters

By W. James Antle, III on 11.13.08 @ 12:04PM

On Election Day, the Democrats failed to achieve a literal filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats. Of course, a 57 to 43 Democratic Senate still makes filibusters extremely difficult and any gains from there only make it more so. Since then, Norm Coleman has seen his lead shrink -- however questionably -- in Minnesota and Ted Stevens has seen his vanish in Alaska. It will be very difficult to mount filibusters if the Democrats control 58 to 59 seats. Unless the Democrats take away Joe Lieberman's committee chairmanship and prompt him to caucus with Republicans (not a done deal now that Chris Dodd and several moderates are coming to Lieberman's defense), Saxby Chambliss is the only man in the way of the Democrats actually getting to 60.

View all comments (6) | Leave a comment

R. Dittmar| 11.13.08 @ 1:06PM

In all seriousness, have filibusters ever been worth hanging our hopes on? After all you'd need to find 40 principled Republicans in the Senate and the actual number of same has probably never even been in the double digits.

J Ehler| 11.13.08 @ 1:20PM

Don't forget that not all Democrats are game for far left wacked laws. Ben Nelson (NE) is one who, alongside Joe L. might not always go with the flow. Just counting (D) vs. (R) numbers isn't always a clear picture of reality.

W. James Antle III| 11.13.08 @ 1:53PM

Lieberman is next to useless on domestic policy. But it's true that Ben Nelson and occasionally Mark Pryor could be helpful.

John Thacker| 11.13.08 @ 2:22PM

And of course even holding the Dems to 59 will not be enough to stop card check, since Specter sponsored (and voted for) the thing last time.

BD57| 11.13.08 @ 10:35PM

And then there's this:

Does anyone really believe the Democrats will preserve the filibuster if it's getting in their way?

When Dems are in control of the Senate, the media folks who've been singing its praises when it stymies Republicans pump out "serious policy" pieces decrying its use to frustrate the "will of the people."

Believe me - if Republicans mount a filibuster against a liberal judicial nominee the Dems REALLY want, the Dems will change the rules.

JK| 11.14.08 @ 10:50AM

So why aren't we trying to raise cash and work for Saxby's runoff. Just making a note that he is our last hope isn't enough anymore. We've got to take action.
Saxby.org
Every little bit helps!