So the first term of the Democrat Congress is almost over.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

If the Dems get 60 in the Senate, it won't be without the help of the blue dogs. If anything, getting 60 seats makes them more powerful and relevant. Sadly, it also makes Lieberman once again relevant.

Sadly?

What do you have against Jews?

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

I don't know that anyone could be impressed with this Congress. They have done nothing extraordinary. Much of that is attributable to 3 political realities:

1. Bush is the president, and would veto significant legislative proposals;

2. Attempts to craft exciting legislative proposals expose the drafting party to more attention and to more criticism, forcing the Dems to be more defensive in the 2008 election (which they have been building up for) rather than offensive on policy matters; and

3. The House and Senate leadership is poor.

This isn't meant to excuse the House and Senate. They have been far from impressive, and on areas where they should have at least acted as obstacles to Bush, they failed as well (FISA being a good example, a vote on which I sharply disagree with Obama). At the end of the day, the political calculations appear to have been successful, however, as the Dems will control a larger majority in the House and have a realistic chance at 60 seats in the Senate. If they don't do anything with that, they would deserve the same treatment the Republicans have received of late.

That's pretty sad Cali.