“Nuclear Option” Talk is Nothing New—Congress is Making Political Hay to Their Cost

Eliminating the filibuster is a bad idea.

Everyone is agreed that, as a historical note, both parties have enjoyed the type of advantage that the Republicans currently have in the House and in the Senate.

For all the screaming they are doing about Democratic filibusters, the Republicans have taken advantage of using filibusters too: Senate Bill 1454 was filibustered by the Republicans, led by Trent Lott. They stopped President Clinton's choice for surgeon general from happening via filibuster (for good reason), they stopped Richard Paez from getting a judicial post via a filibuster. Senate Leader Frist joined in that one.

Before they go banning the filibuster, they should realize that they WILL be the minority party again and they may NEED the filibuster to fight the majority party for what's important to the Republicans. Anyone remember Jim Jeffords, the Vermont Republican who became an independent and swung control of the Senate back to the Democrats? Who is to say that something similar couldn't happen again?

Both parties have had BIG election day disasters in the past. Are the Republicans that confident that they will NEVER lose control of one or both houses of Congress? They are fools if they think that. The Democrats ought to check their attitudes too.

So, both sides need to cool down and work together to get the business of the American people done. By all means, change the rules, but don't get rid of filibusters.