“…We are witnessing a fundamental test of Republicans’ ability to govern…”

Uh, we got that from January 2001 to January 2009.

Democratic Minority Leader, Senator Harry Reid:

[….]

….there are various reports about how this unprecedented letter to the leaders of the Iranian regime originated.

There are news accounts reporting that this was intended as a big joke. A big joke. Others say Republicans say that it was a political organizing exercise after they have been hammered so hard with their non-funding of homeland security. Others say that it was simply designed to sabotage negotiations. Pick which of the three you want, but whatever the reasons, one thing is clear – this is not a joke. This is not an organizing exercise. This is about preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

I am so disappointed that so many of my Republican colleagues are destroying the long tradition of bipartisanship in defending Israel and stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. I am heartened that a few Republican Senators – seven to be exact – did not sign this letter. That’s nice. Seven out of 54. Certainly seven is better than nothing. Some of the seven have said they agree with Democrats that this letter was not appropriate.

We are witnessing a fundamental test of Republicans’ ability to govern. They are treating nuclear negotiations as a chance to play games….

[….]

“…A big joke…”

We’ve come to expect that from Senator Roy Blunt (r).

Previously:

Sen. Roy Blunt (r): Next! (March 9, 2015)

Is Roy Blunt a “traitor,” “reckless and feckless,” or simply an embarrassment? (March 10, 2015)

Well, that went over like a lead balloon (March 10, 2015)

By now everybody has had their say about Demoratic Senator Claire McCaskill’s decision to bow to the manufactured, rightwing anti- Harry Reid fervor and refuse to vote for Reid as the Senate Minority Leader. Opportunistic? Certainly. Typical? Absoltely. Effective? Who can know.

Best speculation about how deep the maneuvre may cut? You can read it here. Short version: McCaskill is positioning herself for a run for Governor in 2016 and may try to buy off Koster by promising him her empty Senate seat if she wins. The DailyKos author sees lots of advantages in this scenario given the realities of Misouri politics. The Kansas City Star also speculates about the Reid put-down in terms of McCaskill’s gubernatorial aspirations.

Maybe she’ll impress a few “moderate” Missouri Republicans who are turned off by the state’s GOP clown show, but only at the cost of alienating progessives still further. And maybe it won’t even begin to have the effect that McCaskill hopes it will. Moderates of either party aren’t necessarily stupid. I assume folks at Breibart still speak for the  up-tight right and this is what they have to say about McCaskill’s exercise in political theatre:

They [i.e., McCaskill and like minded red state Seantors] didn’t even bother putting up a sham opponent against Reid to make it look convincing?  Aw, come on, guys, you’ve got to try harder to trick your constituents into thinking you’re a “new” kind of “moderate” Democrat.  The 2014 election should have made it abundantly clear that voters didn’t buy into the posturing from Democrats who claimed they would become Barack Obama’s worst nightmare when they reached Washington.  What makes these “defectors” think a tiny little squeak of protest against keeping Reid as their Senate poobah is going to fool anyone?

If the right wing is already jeering about this charade, will others tarry behind for very long? Breibart’s John Hayward may be correct about the lesson to be drawn – which some folks never learn. The 2014 election did show us that Democrats won’t turn out for polliticians who don’t stand up for their principles. There’s no substitute for backbone, even in politics. Especially in politics.

….FDR once met with a group of activists who sought his support for legislation. He listened to their arguments for some time and then said, “You’ve convinced me. Now go out and make me do it….”

Or, “make me not do it.”

Yesterday in Esquire:

More Mush From The Wimps

By Charles P. Pierce on November 13, 2014

….But McCaskill has proven herself to be a genuinely Liebermanesque menace. She’s the one that needs watching when the tough votes come up next year. I think she’d sell the party for parts in exchange for three points in the next Gallup Poll of Missouri….

That was cold, man, really cold.

Previously:

We need the Keystone XL pipeline because? (November 13, 2014)

And then all hell broke loose (November 13, 2014)

Today, from Senator Claire McCaskill (D) via Facebook:

Senator Claire McCaskill shared a link.

3 hours ago

“Yesterday, I met with Harry Reid and told him I would not be supporting him for Minority Leader. I heard the voters of Missouri loud and clear. They want change in Washington. Common sense tells me that begins with changes in leadership.” – Claire

And some of the responses:

[….] You did not here this voter …….. Stand up and act like a real Democrat !!!! If there is any part of this you do not understand please resign…

[….] I think Democrats running from their leadership is bad. I would like tos ee Missouri Democrats act more like Democrats. Our problem has been Democrats are not standing on their acompolishments but being scared of Republicans.

[….] I am not happy with Harry Reid either but I would not say “The American People have spoken” when only 34% of eligible voters voted and just over half voted for Republicans. That means between 17-18% if the American people have spoken and that is NOT A MANDATE Claire McCaskill

[….] The right wing is ruining Missouri don’t help them.

[….] It would be refreshing if the Republicans did the same and replaced Mitch McConnell. Tired of his turtle face on television. How about new blood on both sides?

Yeah, right, like that’s going to happen.

[….] Whatever you do the Repulicans will not like you. So don’t try to be a Republican or kowtow to their ways. We had enough abandonment of the Democratic Party by Democratic candidates before the election. What we need is some genuine Democratic leadership that is loyal to people of this nation, not corporations and the uber rich.

[….] Change from what Claire? More conservative policies in America? Had enough of them over the last 35 years. You would not be invited to a party with Harry Truman as President so long ago- you are too far to the right..

[….] We lost because dems are cowards. Terrified of their own accomplishments. We run to the prez during prez elections and then run away from him during midterms. I’ve seen this same movie during the Clinton yrs. He got laid and the whole nation goes out of their minds

[….] Et tu, McCaskill?

[….] You did not hear this voter either. Give the GOP NOTHING!!

[….] Very disappointing Senator. With a 34% of the electorate voting I am not sure it meant much of anything. Eating our own helps not a bit!

[….] Shame on you, Claire. Did you notice how popular Dem issues were? They passed across the country. You ran as a Dem; stick with your principles.

[….] Really Senator? if that is the case all of you should be changed not Harry Reid? Are you separating yourself from the other Democrats? Yeah all of you separate yourself from President and now separate yourself from your leader and each other. I feel sorry for us Democrats to have you guys and support you. You are all lost causes and lost souls.

[….] Running to the right. Not unexpected. Claire, you do realize that voter turnout was the lowest in 72 years. I hardly think the people of Missouri spoke loud and clear when most of them didn’t even vote.

That would make it a mandate, right?

[….] I’m against this and see it as a betrayal of your party and your voters. I used to support you Claire, now I don’t.

[….] can’t straddle the fence, claire

[….] well…………dear claire………you have a few years left bluedog…….spineless hack……i’m ashamed even to see the word democrat in front of your name……you don’t deserve it

[….] Harry Reid is not the problem; republicans and blue dog dems like you are the problem.

[….]  Errr, no. The people didn’t vote for change, if they had then they’d be electing progressives, not more corporatists.

[….] Ineffective problem solving often stems from ineffective problem-identification which seems to be at the foundation of the Democratic party. You heard from less than 40% of the American Electorate. That is hardly a message about anything but their own laziness and stupidity. Stop solving the wrong problems please and start coalescing as a party. Or resign. We don’t need weak representatives.

Just a sample. We left out the right wingnut trolls (we think).

Then again, that isn’t saying much.

Sue Lowden is a republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Nevada, challenging Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D). She recently touted the virtues of bartering chickens for health care:

…Senate hopeful Sue Lowden’s plan for Healthcare reform is to barter chickens for medical procedures. But you may be unsure how many chickens are required for your medical care. This handy calculator converts many common procedures into chickens so you won’t look like an idiot at your next Doctor’s Appointment…

Lowden Medical Procedure to Chicken Converter

I wonder if Roy Blunt will recommend squirrel instead.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion today to limit debate on a bill that would reauthorize and expand SCHIP.  The vote could come as early as tomorrow, Tuesday.

The bill, similar to the bill vetoed by Bush earlier this month would expand the SCHIP Legislation to cover 10 million children and increase funding $35 billion over the next five years.  The money would come from a 61-cent increase on cigarettes.  Like the adjusted House bill, this bill specifically limits coverage to children in families with incomes below 300% of poverty level. 

A similar measure passed the House last week by a 265 to 142 vote.  The vote is considered veto proof in the Senate but the House still does not appear to have the votes to override.  Bush is expected to veto.

According to CQ, how the Democrats address the November 16 expiration of the continuing resolution under which SCHIP is currently operating, (the previous bill expired on September 30) will signal how they intend to proceed.

Passing a short-term extension of the program “would suggest that Democrats still hope to negotiate a permanent expansion of SCHIP with Republicans,” while passing a long-term extension — which could expire directly prior to the 2008 elections — “would suggest that Democrats have resolved to use children’s health insurance as a political weapon.

Related to this is Howard Dean’s response to the issue:

The Republican leaders have made their choice, they want to stay in Iraq and deny our kids health care. America cannot afford four more years of a president who borrows for the war and denies health insurance for our kids