Unexpectedly, Capitol Hill Democrats Stand Firm

[zimv20]

link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2004/07/25/AR2005033113481.html)


Democrats were supposed to enter the 109th Congress meek and cowed, demoralized by November's election losses and ready to cut deals with Republicans who threatened further campaigns against "obstructionists." But House and Senate Democrats have turned that conventional wisdom on its head.

They have stymied President Bush's Social Security plan and held fast against judicial nominees they consider unqualified. To protest a GOP rule change, they have kept the House ethics committee from meeting. And they have slowed -- and possibly derailed -- Bush's nomination of John R. Bolton to become ambassador to the United Nations.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee's decision last week to postpone a vote on Bolton for at least three weeks -- after the chairman said there were enough votes to endorse him -- was the most dramatic example yet of Democrats' persistence and resilience. Democratic senators' relentless and lawyerly attack on Bolton's record prompted Republican Sen. George V. Voinovich of Ohio to change his mind and demand more time to review new allegations against the nominee.

The Bolton battle is not over, but the meeting seemed to epitomize an outnumbered but stubborn party that has frustrated Republicans with its ability to deter or outflank the majority on key issues.

Democrats credit House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) with promoting solidarity through pep talks, lectures on loyalty and constant reassurances that Republicans are overplaying their hand. But the GOP has inadvertently helped, they say, by unwisely diving into the Terri Schiavo case and by starting the year with a drive to rewrite Social Security, considered sacrosanct to the Democratic Party.

Pelosi and Reid insisted that Bush's plan to create private investment accounts would diminish Social Security's long-term benefits, and even the most vulnerable Democrats from Republican-leaning states stood with them. "Rather than break Democrats apart, it brought them together," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), a former Clinton White House strategist.

From there, he said, emboldened Democrats hung together when House Republicans tried to change ethics rules to their advantage, and when Senate Republicans threatened to change filibuster rules to confirm judges who Democrats oppose. And when GOP leaders tried to insert Congress into the case of Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman -- a move polls found deeply unpopular with many Americans -- Democrats had greater confidence than ever in their leaders' strategies, Emanuel said.

Republicans "were over-reaching," he said. "There was no mandate for what they were doing."

Rutgers University political scientist Ross Baker said Bolton's setback is the latest sign that Democrats have decided to stand firm, cut no separate deals with the majority and pick off Republican moderates whenever possible.

"I think after an extended period of reconsideration and soul-searching [following the 2004 elections], the Democrats have decided they're going to fight back," Baker said. "The sense that they were cowed was very widespread" in January, he said, "but I think they just realized what they suffered was a defeat, not a humiliation."

(more)

[Thomas Veil]

"I think after an extended period of reconsideration and soul-searching [following the 2004 elections], the Democrats have decided they're going to fight back," Baker said.I desperately hope so.

I've come to this conclusion of late, too. I would add that I think Frist's nuclear option and Tom DeLay's frightening threats to the judicial system are big factors, too.

I think the Dems are finally, finally, finally doing a gut check. I just hope they don't backslide. They need to stand firm no matter what. They've talked about actually shutting down virtually all cooperation with the Republicans in the Senate if the nuclear option is enacted. They'd better be prepared to stand behind that threat.

[pseudobrit]

Maybe they finally got it through their heads that trying to be cooperative (often to the point of bending over completely) just hasn't worked for them in the past decade.

I hope they finally got it. Grow some balls, guys and gals.

How many times must your enemy beat you over the head with the olive branch you proffer before you wise up?

[IJ Reilly]

The Democrats are feeling their oats these days, but it's more a matter of subtraction than addition. The GOP is stumble-drunk with power, leaving the Democrats with an opportunity to jump the low hurdle of passing the sobriety test. That's the easy part. Offering an alternative philosophy of governance to the nation -- that's the tough part, and the part the Democrats have so far failed to accomplish.

[Thomas Veil]

Offering an alternative philosophy of governance to the nation -- that's the tough part, and the part the Democrats have so far failed to accomplish.Indeed. When Howard Dean became chairman, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were quick to point out that they, not Dean, would set policy and philosophy for the Democratic party.

We're still waiting.

[IJ Reilly]

Nancy Pelosi? I've seen wax fruit with more personality. Reid, I just don't know about yet. The jury is out. No doubt, Dean's performance is going to be interesting to watch. As to whether that's a good thing or bad...

[mactastic]

Overreaching authority and abuse of power will be the central themes of Democratic attack between now and Nov. '06. Look to hear those terms an awful lot.

[Thomas Veil]

Hmm. No sooner do I say that the Democrats have no agenda, then I come across this (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/4/25/134319/005).

As a matter of comity, the Minority in the Senate traditionally defers to the Majority in the setting of the agenda. If Bill Frist pulls the nuclear trigger, Democrats will show deference no longer.

Invoking a little-known Senate procedure called Rule XIV, last week Democrats put nine bills on the Senate calendar that seek to help America fulfill its promise.

If Republican's break the rules Democrats will use the rule to bring to the Senate floor an agenda that meets the needs of average Americans, such as lowering gas prices, reducing the cost of health care and helping veterans.

"Across the country, people are worried about things that matter to their families - the health of their loved ones, their child's performance in schools, and those sky high gas prices," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. "But what is the number one priority for Senate Republicans? Doing away with the last check on one-party rule in Washington to allow President Bush, Senator Frist and Tom Delay to stack the courts with radical judges. If Republicans proceed to pull the trigger on the nuclear option, Democrats will respond by employing existing Senate rules to push forward our agenda for America." *

Democrats have introduced bills that address America's real challenges. (Details attached)

1. Women's Health Care (S. 844). "The Prevention First Act of 2005" will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions by increasing funding for family planning and ending health insurance discrimination against women.

2. Veterans' Benefits (S. 845). *"The Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2005" will assist disabled veterans who, under current law, must choose to either receive their retirement pay or disability compensation.

3. Fiscal Responsibility (S. 851). *Democrats will move to restore fiscal discipline to government spending and extend the pay-as-you-go requirement.

4. Relief at the Pump (S. 847). *Democrats plan to halt the diversion of oil from the markets to the strategic petroleum reserve. By releasing oil from the reserve through a swap program, the plan will bring down prices at the pump.

5. Education (S. 848). *Democrats have a bill that will: strengthen head start and child care programs, improve elementary and secondary education, provide a roadmap for first generation and low-income college students, provide college tuition relief for students and their families, address the need for math, science and special education teachers, and make college affordable for all students.

6. Jobs (S. 846). *Democrats will work in support of legislation that guarantees overtime pay for workers and sets a fair minimum wage.

7. Energy Markets (S. 870). *Democrats work to prevent Enron-style market manipulation of electricity.

8. Corporate Taxation (S. 872). *Democrats make sure companies pay their fair share of taxes to the U.S. government instead of keeping profits overseas. *

9. Standing with our troops (S. 11). Democrats believe that putting America's security first means standing up for our troops and their families

"Abusing power is not what the American people sent us to Washington to do. We need to address real priorities instead -- fight for relief at the gas pump, stronger schools and lower health care costs for America's families," said Senator Reid.And hmm again. Looks like the Dems haven't been entirely lax since the election. Between this and the threatened slow-down in the Senate, I think we're seeing some well-thought-out strategy here.

In a way, it'll be too bad if the Dems don't go ahead with the above bills. The public reaction would most likely be favorable, which in turn would put the Democrats in a terrific position for 2006. :)