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Brokeback Mountain Softens Up Montana?
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"Brokeback Mountain" may not have won the Oscar for last year's best movie, but it may have softened up some of the tough-guy crowd in Montana.
It's official. Jon Tester has de-listed Conrad Burns from the Senate roster as of January 2007.
Now the Senate stands at 49 Republicans and 50 Democrats (or Senators caucusing with them).
One more race to go. If Jim Webb pulls out the race in Virginia, Dems really have scored a whopping victory -- and maybe more victory than was really desired as folks now look towards 2008.
I will have a post soon on what I hope Senator Harry Reid does next if he too gets one of the key helms of national government under his direction.
-- Steve Clemons
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Reader Comments (19) - post a comment
That's loser talk. It's not worth debating this issue to me. The current GOP will be up to their chicanery no matter what. No, there's not much the Dems can do in terms of foreign policy and Iraq, but they can now put a world of hurt on Bush and Republicans and do it in a non-polarizing way--if they are smart.
By "not worth debating", I mean we have what we have and we just need to do the best we can.
What the Dems can do is gradually turn off the Iraq money.
Ummm, Tester is a cool dude: he proundly says he wants to repeal TEH Patriot Act, grows organic lentils, doesn't give a rip about clothes --check out the missing coat pocket-- as shown here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/8/142552/861
but I guess he'll never be as easy on the eyes as those Brokeback guys!
thanks beth -- i agree. jon tester seems like he's very grounded and will be a breath of fresh air. we need red state dems... look forward to seeing how he positions himself early on.
steve clemons
Yes Steve, looks like the prospect for you getting an appointment of some sort a Democratic administration in 2008 have diminished somewhat with the Dems taking the Senate since your theory is that the People will not choose one party government in 2008. You can always change your theory, or go courting Republican hopefuls as you would surely bring good sense to any appointment you are offered in any future administration. Good luck in your moderate approach and ambitions.
The good people of Montana should be very proud of themselves these days.
They have an outstanding governor & a fresly minted Senator who happens to be sane, both of them with their boots "in the soil"
I expect good stuff going forward; thanks Montana !
"The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices." - James Carter
"maybe more victory than was really desired"
Mmm, no. Winning is definitely better than not winning.
Sure, there are problems that come with being rich. But they're a heck of a lot better than the problems that come with being poor. Let's take this victory and run with it.
There is a weave of nuanced defeatism in your political musings. First your support for Chafee, now this jewel?
"-and maybe more victory than was really desired as folks now look towards 2008."
While I respect humbleness, such comments are anathema in the political arena. There is a name for this. It is being "wishy washi".. Maybe you have mastered that art of wringing the best commentary response from your readers by writing in a felt "wishi washi" way. It is a powerful teaching tool and very productive of quality commentaries in your blog. Regardless, I salute you Steve for triggering those great and informative commentaries from your readers.
re: Virginia....
Webb has already won. The only reason the networks don't call it is because they want the story to continue.
The networks are taking the "its not official until a recount is done" line, but that's bullshit. If Webb still has a lead of more than 1000 votes when the vote is certified on November 27, Allen isn't going to ask for a recount. Virginia uses touch screens and computers.... that means there is really nothing to recount -- no paper ballots to read, and no receipt is provided to the voter. Some moron (might have been Allen himself) was talking about people writing down the wrong numbers, etc -- but its ALL done by computers in Virginia. (there is an actual "recount" going on now in the form of an official statewide "canvas" of the votes -- the numbers on the state website are "unofficial" results.)
Last year, when the VA attorney general's race was decided by less than 400 votes, they did a "recount"....and out of a couple of million cast, 27 changed.
So no, Allen isn't going to ask for a recount --- especially since its pretty much hopeless, and the cost of the recount would be born by local governments, and Virginias will be really PO'd for having to pay for it KNOWING its hopeless...
ENOUGH with this careful what you wish for nonsense! Always take victory, because there's always something coming up behind you (just ask Karl re Katrina & Foley & Haggard and 2700 dead American soldiers & 100s of civilian NGO staffers, many murdered. Always take victory and mold that divinity to your needs now.
Does Joementum still retain any seniority in the Senate after returning as an "independent"? If so, is it by tradition, or can he negotiate with the new leadership where he is in the new pecking order? If not, can he be ignored until 2008, or must the leadership minister to his every wants?
barrisj -- Joe Lieberman will caucus with the Democrats and maintain his seniority. He has few incentives to rebrand himself now -- and will vote without party constraints I imagine, unless he wants to do some dealing with other Senators. But I think you will see Lieberman do what he has done a lot lately -- and that is splitting his vote between Republican and Democratic initiatives.
But yes, he keeps his seniority.
Steve Clemons
I take the Brokeback Mountain comment with a grain of salt, of course (yet BLUE Montana? wow!), but I and thousands of other Brokeback Mountain fans have found the movie really did change our lives in one way or another. It would be sweet indeed to think this important movie had even the smallest part in inspiring this country's belated groundswell of common sense.
What if Burns actually does get Montana and Joe switches parties? The Burns-Tester race is closer than Allen-Webb with a 3,350 vote difference. Burns must be refusing to concede for a reason.
Would Joe give up seniority in order to let the Republicans regain control of the Senate if Burns actually wins?
Burns and Allen are both gone.
"Say goodnight, Gracie."
(Sorry, but I've been waiting all day to write that!)
Hi,
A very smart and diplomatic answer. It’s really appreciable and generous.
Miller
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Hi,
A very smart and diplomatic answer. It’s really appreciable and generous.
Miller
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