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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

So Norm Orenstein has a couple of theories that might appeal to Manchin. One is to keep the minority party on the floor for days on end debating the issue. The fact is that all of them must be in the Senate chambers. Orenstein figures that a lot of the Repubs will get tired or bored about the debate, that a few would succumb to joining the Dems. At least, that is what I understand. Here is Orenstein’s thoughts: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/03/02/manchin-filibuster-never-sinema/?outputType=amp

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Cathy Learoyd (Texas)'s avatar

I like the other proposal which is to change the filibuster needing 60 votes to stop the debate to the filibuster needing 40 (actually Norm Orenstein thinks the ideal is 41) to keep the debate going. That means the minority has to work at it but one still has the filibuster available at the times it is needed. But it gets rid of the easy obstruction it now represents.

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

The thing I do like is that the minority (Repub) has to actually work!

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Deb Powers's avatar

And show up! Too many of the senators are lacking the will to work or show up for the hard stuff.

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TPJ (MA)'s avatar

Confiscate their phones at the door, like the juveniles they are.

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Liz Ayer, Nyc/MA's avatar

Great idea—and their guns

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Liz Ayer, Nyc/MA's avatar

Right they don’t even pay attention when they’re there sometimes.

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Cathy Mc. (MO)'s avatar

And publicly vote against popular legislation

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Pam Peterson (West MA)'s avatar

I can picture the likes of Rand Paul or Ted Cruz playing computer games or doodling while a party member is "orating" during a filibuster. And, I agree making it a painful experience is the way to go for now.

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Lynell(VA by way of MD&DC)'s avatar

Hey, Marlene! Posted this article, too. Great minds...?

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

You know, Lynell, I just love that!

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Mitchell Ash's avatar

Thanks for this. I like Orenstein's stuff, but armchair psychology isn't my thing - too many imponderables in strategizing of this kind.

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Bob Stromberg's avatar

I used to get mixed up between Orenstein and Ornstein, too. That's why I re-checked the spelling of his name when I post.

I just now re-checked it, again, and changing my typing from Ormstein to Ornstein got rid of that squiggly red line under the misspelling. Now how did the Spelling Gods of Silicon Valley know that?

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Kathleen Bruce's avatar

Honestly I am tired of Joe Manchin having an oversized influence. He is power drunk

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Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA)'s avatar

It is unnerving and I find I grit my teeth more and more every time he says something. Sinema...just so disappointed in her!

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Mitchell Ash's avatar

He's taking what the situation gives him. The best way to change that would be for the DEMS to win a few more Senate seats in 2022.

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