We all know whats going on, we all know LIEbermann is trying to be a one-man wrecking crew. Why? Not sure we know why, but with reconciliation looking unlikely and LIEbermann looking like the fuckin obstructionist creep he is, then could Harkin be the one to save the bill??
Infidel talks about this today also, Here are some of Harkins words on the subject.....
Tom Harkin May Reintroduce Legislation To Kill Filibuster
With the news that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) plans to filibuster the current health care bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) options are looking increasingly limited. But one Democratic senator may introduce legislation that would make health care reform a lot easier.
Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa told reporters this weekend that he might reintroduce legislation to end the filibuster, something he first proposed in 1994. The Hawk Eye reports:
"I think, if anything, this health care debate is showing the dangers of unlimited filibuster," Harkin said Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "I think there's a reason for slowing things down ... and getting the public aware of what's happening and maybe even to change public sentiment, but not to just absolutely stop something."
Under Harkin's proposal, debate could be prolonged by the minority -- just not forever.
"You could hold something up for maybe a month, but then, finally you'd come down to 51 votes and a majority would be able to pass," Harkin said. "I may revive that. I pushed it very hard at one time and then things kind of got a little better."
When Harkin fought the filibuster 15 years ago, one of his top allies was none other than Joe Lieberman.
"[People] are fed up -- frustrated and fed up and angry about the way in which our government does not work, about the way in which we come down here and get into a lot of political games and seem to -- partisan tugs of war and forget why we're here, which is to serve the American people," Lieberman said at the time. "And I think the filibuster has become not only in reality an obstacle to accomplishment here, but it also a symbol of a lot that ails Washington today."
You're right, we are fed up, we are beyond angry! The Senators who have the guts to show up on TV and STILL SAY the bill will likely pass but it won't be a bill we wanted, they look like they've had a whoopin' behind the woodshed, they look defeated and embarrassed to admit their inability to take down LIEbermann. What the hell is going on in Congress??
Within the hour President Obama will be meeting with Democrats, will he just rally the troops, or will he stand up and demand results?
The Huffington Post | Rachel Weiner
First Posted: 12-14-09 11:54 AM | Updated: 12-14-09 02:17 PM