Saw another in a string of filibuster stories just now, this one pointing out that it's not just Democrats who would get screwed by the end of filibusters. Moderate Republicans would get hosed, too.
Last Gasp for Moderate Republicans?: "This is going to be a remarkable battle. The nuclear option, banning filibuster, is targeted not only against Democrats but against these moderate Republican Senators. Filibusters exist as a parliamentary technique to help ensure -- if not consensus -- at least general comity in the debates, and act as a moderating force preventing a bare majority from having carte blanche legislative powers. If anyone can understand that, it's the few remaining Republican Senators -- McCain, Chafee, Snowe, Specter, Collins, and even Hagel and Voinovich -- who are still willing to stray from the party lines over particular matters of conscience."
So here's a little fantasy. Say that Frist manages to ram through the rules change, somehow. There are a number of ways he could make that happen. I count seven Republicans in that list. If these guys really cared about making a difference, they could switch parties. That would instantly change the balance in the Senate from 55 R - 45 D to 48 R - 52 D. It's clear enough that these seven aren't welcome in today's Republican party, so why not?
Ok, it'll never happen, but after all the bullying these people have had to deal with over the last five years, I have to imagine that it would feel really good to give Frist, Cheney, Bush et al the royal screwing they deserve. There's not enough KY in the world to make this one feel good.
Posted by Jason at May 13, 2005 07:12 PM