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   Memo: The way forward on health care reform in 2010.
 A dark legacy of the Vietnam War is creating a whole new set of problems.
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November 11, 2009
A FARCICAL PROCESS.... Five months ago, President Obama nominated Tom Shannon to be the U.S. ambassador to Brazil. Shannon is strong, almost obvious, choice -- he's been Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs for the last five years; he's a career Foreign Service officer; and he enjoys a strong relationship with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Shannon sailed through the confirmation hearings, and would have been easily approved by the Senate, if only the nomination could be brought to the floor. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) put a months-long hold on Shannon, blocking a vote. Last week, DeMint finally agreed to let the nomination proceed to the floor. So, the Senate can vote now? No, now there's another Republican hold.
LeMieux didn't identify what those "concerns" are, or why he didn't seek answers to these questions before now. It's just another day in a legislative chamber that Republicans have apparently broken on purpose. Keep in mind, these farcical antics have real-world consequences. Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, believes his own GOP colleagues are undermining U.S. foreign policy by forcing these delays. "I am concerned that unnecessary delays in confirming this outstanding and highly regarded career diplomat are beginning to impede our ability to work with Brazil on pressing regional issues, such as the resolution of the crisis in Honduras," Lugar said yesterday. "Coordination on regional matters is in the interests of our two countries and the region." If only it was in the interests of the rest of the Senate Republican caucus. —Steve Benen 10:55 AM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (18)Comments
...no doubt most of the bozos in the clown car are clueless about brazil's development into a milkshake drinkin' partner in a new multi-polar world. Posted by: neill on November 11, 2009 at 10:56 AM | PERMALINKSomeone has to say it: "This is good news for Republicans!" Posted by: AlphaLiberal on November 11, 2009 at 11:12 AM | PERMALINKAllow me to give this broken record a whirl. According to the Senate's own website, a hold is an "informal practice," and the "Majority Leader need not follow the Senator's wishes." And Reid is well aware of this. Just ask Chris Dodd. Posted by: doubtful on November 11, 2009 at 11:14 AM | PERMALINKThe Republicans are just playing bad cop so the Dems can blame somebody for their own dithering. Reid could end all this crap if he wanted to. Posted by: jimBOB on November 11, 2009 at 11:40 AM | PERMALINKRepublicans have zero intrest in good governance. All they care about is winning elections and lining their donors pockets. Effective government is is not even on their list of things to work on. This wasn't always the case. There were Republicans who actually cared about making government work. But that generation is gone (or soon will be). They don't care if nothing gets past in the Senate. They don't care if foreign policy falls apart. They know a failed government makes Democrats look bad and helps them win in 2010 and 2012. If another 90,000 people die from lack of healthcare between now and then no big deal. If thousands die in regional conflicts that we could have prevented, they don't care. If millions go without employment benefits they don't care. Posted by: thorin-1 on November 11, 2009 at 11:45 AM | PERMALINKAre such rules carved in stone? How do we change them, and why haven't we done so? Posted by: Chris on November 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM | PERMALINKWhile there are good arguments for and against the filibuster and the blue card, I can't think of a single good argument for the hold. It needs to go. Posted by: John McKay on November 11, 2009 at 11:55 AM | PERMALINKWell, Dubya made over 160 recess appointments during his first 6 years in office, which was more than Clinton's total of 140 over 8 years. Maybe Obama can top that. I would like to know why they are holding up the vote on veterans benefits. Posted by: js on November 11, 2009 at 12:15 PM | PERMALINKWTF is Reid honoring these bullshit holds?! This one of many reasons why I can't stand the guy. I would almost prefer that he lose his seat to a republican, just so we can select a new majority leader. A primary upset would be ideal. Posted by: bdop4 on November 11, 2009 at 12:32 PM | PERMALINKIt may be that it is exactly TO undermine the US Chris, No rule exists. See my comment above for the relevant link. The 'hold' is nothing more than part of the gentleman's agreement for being in the millionaire's club. Reid knows this, as he ignored a hold Chris Dodd place on the FISA bill. Yes, Reid has no problem ignoring a hold placed by a fellow Democrat in an attempt to stop an awful precedent setting piece of legislation, but Republican holds, no problem. In fact, he uses these holds as a launching pad for a bit of put on indignation, when in reality, the only person holding up these nominations is Harry Reid. C'mon, Harry. Bring them to the floor. The 'intent' to filibuster should not be treated as a filibuster. Posted by: doubtful on November 11, 2009 at 12:56 PM | PERMALINKI agree it's farcical, but blame Reid, not LeMieux. Posted by: Bernard Yomtov on November 11, 2009 at 1:37 PM | PERMALINKThis is what happens when you have one party that cares about having a functioning government and one that doesn't. They don't just oppose, they gum up the works to prevent anything from happening. It's successful in always moving things to the right because they know that if they get back into power, the Democrats won't do the same because we actually care about whether our government functions or not. None of these procedural blocks are in the Constitution, they're just Senate rules and tradition. Republicans are abusing those traditions to ends they were never intended for, and it's past time to take all of these toys (holds, filibusters, the works) away from them. Posted by: Redshift on November 11, 2009 at 1:49 PM | PERMALINKGood column with incomplete final sentence -- Senator Reid could very easily stop recognizing holds. He did that when Senator Dodd tried blocking the Patriot act two years ago. He should do it now & not just with Republicans but with everyone. Posted by: kindness on November 11, 2009 at 2:07 PM | PERMALINKThere were Republicans who actually cared about making government work. But that generation is gone (or soon will be). Yeah, like Dick Lugar. God love 'im and preserve 'im. Posted by: hamletta on November 12, 2009 at 12:19 AM | PERMALINKPost a comment
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