Dems Up for Election in 2012 Can Stop the Lame-Duck Agenda
So, in the end, the fate of the radical lame-duck agenda — which could include everything from cap and trade to card check to multi-trillion dollar tax hikes based on the deficit commission recommendations — could come down to what a handful of moderate Democratic senators who are in cycle in 2012 decide to do. The reason is that the votes that take place right after the 2010 election will be the first votes of the 2012 cycle and will take place in the immediate aftermath of a potential wave election. The 2010 election may send a powerful warning to 2012 Democrats on the importance of listening to their constituents — a warning that will have to be amplified with specific pressure to oppose the lame-duck agenda.
The energy issue, now confirmed by Reid to be on the lame-duck agenda, could be the most difficult politically for 2012 Democrats. Whether it’s full-blown cap and trade or something similarly devastating to affordable energy like a so-called renewable electricity standard, for senators like Jim Webb of Virginia, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, Jon Tester of Montana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and Bill Nelson of Florida the pressure will be enormous. President Obama himself has said that under his energy plan “electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” That’s not a good way to start out the 2012 cycle, and their constituents can make that clear.
It’s not just the energy issue. Union priorities like card check and pension bailouts are also a major political liability in those states, as is the idea of jamming through massive changes to entitlement programs and trillions of dollars in tax hikes based on the president’s deficit commission.
These enormous policy changes would be politically dangerous under any circumstances, but to force them through in a matter of weeks over the holiday season? In a body full of people who already lost their bids for re-election? Without the benefit of proper hearings or committee action? If strong grassroots pressure is applied to the group of senators I listed above, it’s hard to imagine most of them buckling under for Harry Reid, who may himself be a lame duck at that point.
During last year’s holiday health care debate in the Senate, it would have taken just one courageous Democratic senator to stand up to Harry Reid and stop the health care takeover from passing on Christmas Eve. Not one of them did. Activists concerned about the lame-duck agenda need to make clear to the 2012 Democrats that if they do the same thing this time voters will remember in November 2012.
Well, we’re going to be in another game of ‘Chicken’ with the Dems. Last time we blinked. So a lot will ride on who is Speaker. But there will be a new group representing us. So if they want to enforce this stuff, then zero out the budget of everything we don’t like. Bring some parts of government to a halt, no problem, just be sure that if you start a fight, you are prepared to finish it. Regardless of the consequences. Now that means if ‘The Savior’ vetos everything in sight, go along with it and don’t compromise. But sit there and do nothing, and you will have a third party to deal with in 2012. And we’ll be back to the election of 1860.
If we have decent majorities, press the veto. We may be able to get enough Democrats to blink in order to override Obama’s veto. It takes 290 Congressmen and 67 Senators to override a veto- those are our target numbers.
Beware of wolves that come to you in sheep’s clothing. They are commonly called moderate Republicans.
After the November elections there will be more than enough “new blood” in the House and the Senate to stop the Obama, Pelosi, Reid crap train cold in it’s tracks. That includes Senator McCain that the afflicted voters of Arizona will reelect.
There is a difference now. The people, the grassroots have spoken louder, with more conviction and determination than what has existed in the lifetime of anyone reading this article.
They are not going to compromise.
They are not going to back down.
They are not going to tolerate “suck-up” politics from anyone.
Their message is clear. Do your job or we will throw you out on the street.
BTW, Senator Webb is history.
Maybe. Never underestimate a Dems logic that voters have zip in the way of memory. Plus they’ll be running against Bush again in 2012 since Obama will be on the ticket.
“Activists concerned about the lame-duck agenda need to make clear to the 2012 Democrats that if they do the same thing this time voters will remember in November 2012.”
I think the Democrats will get the message after the November elections, even though they still seem to be in denial about what’s happening right now in America, especially after the huge losses they sustained in Virginia, New Jersey, and in losing Teddy Kennedy’s seat in Massachusetts. The political tsunami that’s coming in November will be a big one and only the Democrats who want to commit political suicide will vote for any of these massive social spending projects. And if they are willing to jump off a cliff by trying to play these tricks during a lame-duck Congress, then the Democrats will lose what little support they have left with the American public and will destroy what is left of their tattered reputation for at least a generation to come. So if they do this, I hope they like living in the political wilderness.
The time is now for the democrats to build the supper bureaucratic state they have always wanted. Armies of Shirley Sherrod type federal bureaucrats will now run the country. A Shirley Sherrod will arbitrate between you and your doctor. A Shirley Sherrod will monitor your energy use. A Shirley Sherrod will monitor your business. You will be forced to pay union dues.
Utopia is gonna suck.
Democrats have shown no compunction over passing their agenda in the face of massive opposition. They knew what the poll numbers were likely to be after passing Obamacare. Did they blink when they voted? I doubt it. This has been a life-long agenda for the most liberal (dare I say commie?) among them. They know their careers are over and will pass Reid’s lame duck agenda because they can. Will some of the lame duck rinos play along just to spite the voters? If their heart is black enough – probably. And why not? Their financial reward – at taxpayer expense – is great insurance.
Roughly 45% of congresscritters are lawyers. Our current POTUS is one – Sec-State is another. We need to quit sending lawyers to DC.
If Crap and Trade gets through in a lame-duck session, it will be time for a nationwide “neck tie” party for the sorry SOB’s that helped/let it pass. . . .these sorry buggers will have to come home sometime. . . .
If they ram through this crap after everything that’s happened over the past 20 months, I would not discount the possiblity of extraordinary measures by severely P.O.’d constituents. That something hasn’t happened already is a minor miracle in itself.
I don’t know. Most people are constricted by the very real necessity of providing for their families. They will not do ANYTHING that might jeopardize their job (if they’re fortunate enough to still have one). That means: never, never stir the pot. Still, one can hope.
Doc and others, how about publishing a list of possibilities so people will get an idea on what they can do to thwart the process currently in DC.
The Socialists have hijacked the Democratic Party.
The actual Democrats became “moderate Republicans” and have hijacked the Republican party.
The actual Republicans are considered radical fringe elements. Perhaps we are.
The one thing the dems will be counting on is that tegardless how “they” vote in lame duck, they think the voters will get tired and go back to “little world”. We have to convince tea partiers and all conservatives to keep the fire burning, and if these jerks vote the wrong way, we will throw their butts in the fire. We MUST keep the fire burning for our children and grandchildrens futures are at stake.Lord are there no Washingtons, Jeffersons, Madisons or Hamiltons left in our great country–
I wish I were a capable writer, I would write a book titled–”A Nation of Liars, Theives, and Beggars” There would be ample material for a very thick book