Harry Reid's Surrender

Today, the Senate is expected to announce a watered-down compromise on filibuster reform, as negotiated by Dem Sen. Harry "Bending" Reid and turtle impersonator and Sen. Mitch "Missy" McConnell. Senate Rethugs have been using the filibuster to stop legislative action in the Senate by requiring 60 votes to bring a close to debate (which is a fiction, since no Senator actually gets on the floor and talks for hours, as in the distant past).

Sadly, Bending Reid had an opportunity to shelve the filibuster for the next two years, but his spine failed him. Instead, this is what they got according to the New York Times:

"It will not include, for instance, a requirement that senators be present on the Senate floor when they want to block a bill from coming to a vote, continuing the practice of allowing them to filibuster in absentia. And opponents would still have the opportunity to filibuster a final vote on any legislation, thwarting its passage without 60 votes."

What this means is that Missy and Co. can still obstruct, despite being in the minority, and thwart legislation supported by the majority of Americans. Can you imagine, if the shoe were on the other foot, the Rethugs compromising at all? If they do retake the Senate, you can be sure that they'll deny the filibuster to Dems, so what did Bending Reid's "compromise" accomplish anyway?

Bending Reid has to be the worst Dem Senate Majority Leader in memory.

UPDATE: Progressive stalwart Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) says, "I dare say that Obama's package -- his very aggressive proposals -- will not get very far." More here on the reactions to this latest cave-in.

UPDATE II: Missy McConnell's campaign wants to thank you, too, Bending Reid, for helping him defeat the libruls!

(photo: Reid, left, waiting for Missy McConnell's approval)