Those of us in the political pundit class tend to be big fans of Frank Capra’s 1939 Jimmy Stewart classic Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. Some of us keep replaying the film often enough to keep the lines fresh among the decaying political plant fiber in the Washington swamp.
Before the fabled filibuster was reduced from rare drama to daily droll by Senate Republicans under Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), once upon a time, filibustering was a marathon talking event.… [Read more]
A look back on this past week reveals another historical first – and we’re in only the second month of the year. By now most are aware that for the first time ever, a presidential cabinet nominee was filibustered. Republicans succeeded in blocking a man who happens to be a fellow Republican. What did that man, defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, do to deserve use of this filibuster procedure that should be reserved for critical legislative actions?… [Read more]
You say Senate Minority Leader “Mitch McConnell” and we say “obstructionist”. Teh-MAY-toh, Teh-MAH-toh. Either way what we have here is the failure of an elected official to do his job.… [Read more]
As the reigning co-king of obstruction (tied for first place with Speaker John Boehner), Mr. McConnell will be organizing filibuster attacks against any of President Obama’s circuit judge appointments.
