Georgia Runoff an Early Test for Barack Obama

I'll admit to knowing more about Chinese politics than I do about what's going on in Georgia, But a filibuster proof majority in the senate isn't exactly democracy in action.

How is it "a test for Obama" if he isn't (personally) campaigning there? I think he may have passed a more important "test" by realizing that he has more important things to do right now than worry about two Senate seats that might or might not turn out the way he wants (GA was always unlikely, MN is looking more unlikely than a while ago, though it could turn back), and that in any case would probably affect at best a small portion of his plans.

Wish Belkin 10:32AM Dec 2nd 2008 wrote:

>a filibuster proof majority in the senate
>isn't exactly democracy in action.

What's undemocratic about majority rule? (With protection for *individuals* in the minority.) The people voted for Democrats for President and substantial majorities in both houses of Congress. Why is it "democracy in action" if a minority can subvert their will, but "not exactly" if they can't?

I happen to think that filibusters have their place, regardless of party or ideology. But a 60-40 majority that can get the majority view passed is certainly no *less* democratic than a 59-41 majority that can't.

If 100% of the people voted (in a contested, free and fair election) for candidates of the same party and the same policies, would you say that "isn't exactly democracy in action"? If you wouldn't say that, then where between 50% and 100% do you draw the line? (Yes, I know, you can get 50% or even 100% of Congress with a lot less than that percentage of the total votes, but that just means the democracy is "representative" rather than "participatory," not that it's not democratic.) The people who make the Senate rules drew one line at a "supermajority" (formerly 2/3 of those present and voting, now 60% of the total Senate), but that still doesn't make a Senate whose composition is on one side of that line "democratic" and on the other side "undemocratic." (Never mind that the Senate is explicitly and unamendably undemocratic to begin with.)

Georgia has been seen as a lost cause for Democrats for close to twenty years.

Saxby Chambliss' first campaign for Senate was the most dishonorable in the history of Georgia and one of the most dishonorable in our country's history.

Obama did not campaign in the state for Martin but did lend himself to radio adds and sent other top Democrat surrogates.

If Saxby Chambliss wins, it is no surprise whatsoever. Your suggestion that it would be a loss for Obama is mere rhetorical flourish.

No one ever expected the Democrats to win the full 60 seats. If the Democrats do win them, it will be an extraordinary and unexpected triumph of historic consequence.

Finally, any one who follows political issues with an appreciation of history, is aware that if Obama has to enlist the handful of moderate or progressive Republican Senators to reach the 60 votes for closure, he will be able to claim some success toward his post partisan America.

If Saxby Chambliss wins, it is a pock on Georgia's history, and perhaps a disappointment to President Elect Obama.

But it is NOT -I repeat NOT - a loss for Obama - except in the hearts of GOP spinmeisters.

Mark,

If it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy to believe that this one Senate race (which was a long shot for the Democrats to begin with) somehow represents a magical "turning point" for the Republicans, then you go right ahead and cling to this bit of driftwood from the Titanic.

By the way, a loss for Martin is NOT a loss for Obama who has done little more than send some of his former campaign staff and record messages for radio and robo calls. In case you haven't been paying attention, Obama's been a little busy with the transition and trying to calm the world's fears about the economy while Bush has been pardoning turkeys and planning his post-white house vacation.

By the way, wasn't it the Republicans a few years back who wanted to do away with the fillibuster? Well, now's the opportunity they were looking for!