E.J. Dionne Jr. Follows Andrew's Lead
This column by E.J. Dionne, Jr. from yesterday's Washington Post uses a word -- lie -- that Andrew didn't use when he posted on the same subject three days, but otherwise it makes the same points about the Republican hypocrisy and propaganda efforts on using reconciliation. Like Andrew's post, it's a solid and hard-hitting piece.
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Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy, half-truths, misrepresentation, straw-men----this is all mother's milk to both parties. Please, no more handwringing about it. We should not find it remarkable, as the only thing that matters to Republicans and Democrats is gaining political advantage, to take power and then reward friends and punish enemies. So the incentives are there for Republicans to claim that reconciliation is out-of-bounds, as for the Democrats to assert hypocrisy.
None of this matters. We're grateful there are people who wish to spend their time and energy seeking power, but we should never grant them any respect for it. In general, they should be shunned by polite society.
But if in the course of selling their souls to the devil, Republicans and a handful of Democrats manage to kill-off a lousy, monstrous piece of legislation, I will stand on the street corner and tip my hat as they march to perdition. Anyway, all their political opponents will be there to greet them.
Republicans vote for filibuster 84.6% of the time
While the sample size is small, we compiled a list of all current Republican Senator votes on reconciliation bills. On average, Republican Senators have voted for reconciliation (when given the opportunity) 84.6% of the time.
Our full results can be found here.
It suggests Republicans are not nearly as uncomfortable with the idea of reconciliation as they would want people to believe.