Responsibility of 60

By Fester:

Congratulations to Senator Franken. I like the sound of that because by golly, people like him.

But guess what, the Republican Party is functionally irrelevant now. There are no procedural hooks besides infinite holds that can be lifted with a party line vote that can theoretically delay legislation. There is no legitimate way to argue that the filibuster choke-point on ground changing legislation is Senator Snowe, Collins or Grassley. Democrats own the Senate now, lock, stock and barrel. Now it is time to put up or shut-up.

On healthcare the veto players for a non-reconciled bill are now explicity two Democrats; Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

On Waxman-Markley, the veto players are coal state Democrats.

On Afghanistan and Iraq policy, the veto players are the gang led by Evan Bayh.

On pretty much anything that matters, the veto players are Democrats now. It is nice to have power, but with it comes responsibility to use it wisely. And I have severe doubts that the bedwetting caucus that counts as its members most of the relevant veto players is particularly wise.