49 R's, 48 D's, 2 I's: Democrat Majority?

[insein]

Perhaps someone can clear up the "Dem Majority" for me. I understand that the 2 Independents are very liberal and vote with the Democrats. However, they arent elected Democrats. So why then is this considered a Democrat Majority? Im sure someone knows.

 

[Annie]

Perhaps someone can clear up the "Dem Majority" for me. I understand that the 2 Independents are very liberal and vote with the Democrats. However, they arent elected Democrats. So why then is this considered a Democrat Majority? Im sure someone knows.

I'm guessing, but they agree to caucas with Dems?

 

[Abbey Normal]

One of the "I"'s is Lieberman, no?

 

[Annie]

One of the "I"'s is Lieberman, no?

Yes.

 

[Avatar4321]

its actually 49, 49 and 2. and since they caucus with the Democrats they vote to give them control.

If Lieberman was smart he would make them give lots of consessions for his caucus, because they kicked him out of the party.

 

[insein]

ah yes, 49-49-2. My math is alittle off, lol.

 

[Gunny]

its actually 49, 49 and 2. and since they caucus with the Democrats they vote to give them control.

If Lieberman was smart he would make them give lots of consessions for his caucus, because they kicked him out of the party.

I doubt Lieberman is going to caucus with the Dems on Iraq. Perhaps on most other issues, but IMO, none is as critical at the moment as Iraq.

 

[Annie]

I doubt Lieberman is going to caucus with the Dems on Iraq. Perhaps on most other issues, but IMO, none is as critical at the moment as Iraq.

My guess, he's principled enough to caucas and disagree. I could be wrong, it happened once before.

 

[Avatar4321]

I doubt Lieberman is going to caucus with the Dems on Iraq. Perhaps on most other issues, but IMO, none is as critical at the moment as Iraq.

that doesnt matter because its the caucus that gives Democrats the senate thats at issue here.

 

[no1tovote4]

The two Independants caucus with the dems giving them a 51/49 majority to create leadership positions, etc.

 

[pegwinn]

ah yes, 49-49-2. My math is alittle off, lol.

Is that current? I thought the Dems had clearly won the senate without haveing to give blowjobs to independents.........?

Could be wrong. I would love to listen to the 911 calls if the Indi's split and it becomes a VP vote. The heart failures alone would be good comedy.

 

[Mr.Conley]

Didn't we cover this before...

I doubt Lieberman and a socialist have differences with the democratic party that would result in a split. Not gonna happen.

What we have here is a de facto Democratic majority. Sure, technically the socialist might put an I in front of his name, but on every major issue he'll be on the democrats side. Same with Lieberman (minus Iraq). It doesn't matter whether or not the remaining two are Democrats because the Democrats are going to use them to get control.

 

[Abbey Normal]

Didn't we cover this before...

I doubt Lieberman and a socialist have differences with the democratic party that would result in a split. Not gonna happen.

What we have here is a de facto Democratic majority. Sure, technically the socialist might put an I in front of his name, but on every major issue he'll be on the democrats side. Same with Lieberman (minus Iraq). It doesn't matter whether or not the remaining two are Democrats because the Democrats are going to use them to get control.

Isn't Lieberman pro-life?

 

[Mr.Conley]

I honestly don't know whether he is or not, but it doesn't matter. The Congress doesn't touch abortion (the notable exception being the ban on Federal funding for international health clinics that offer abortion). That's the Supreme Courts territory.

 

[Abbey Normal]

I honestly don't know whether he is or not, but it doesn't matter. The Congress doesn't touch abortion (the notable exception being the ban on Federal funding for international health clinics that offer abortion). That's the Supreme Courts territory.

Really?

Senate passes late-term abortion ban
Court challenge certain
Wednesday, December 17, 2003 Posted: 11:54 PM EST (0454 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to ban a late-term abortion procedure critics call "partial-birth abortion," sending the bill to President Bush, who vowed to sign the measure into law.

"I applaud the Senate for joining the House in passing the ban on 'partial-birth abortion,'" Bush said in a written statement. "This is very important legislation that will end an abhorrent practice and continue to build a culture of life in America. I look forward to signing it into law."

Once signed, the bill will be the first federal law banning a form of abortion since the Supreme Court's landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision upheld abortion rights.

The Senate vote, 64-34, came just three weeks after House passed the bill by a 281-142 margin.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, who was a surgeon before he came to Washington, hailed the legislation, calling the procedure "barbaric" and "offensive to our moral sensibilities."

"The legislation we just passed will save lives -- not just several, but hundreds and potentially thousands of lives," Frist told reporters.
...
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/10/22/abortion/index.html

 

[theHawk]

They can amend the Constitution with a provision of abortion yes. But it was extremely hard to even do so with a Repub congress, it will never happen with Dems.

 

[glockmail]

its actually 49, 49 and 2. and since they caucus with the Democrats they vote to give them control.

If Lieberman was smart he would make them give lots of consessions for his caucus, because they kicked him out of the party.

If he was really smart he'd caucus with the Republicans, since he got a lot of votes from them. This would put the Senate in deadlock, with Cheny casting the deciding vote, and the Senate would then be in GOP hands.

 

[theHawk]

Technically speaking though, since it is a 49-49-2, why should Dems get an Majority Leader? It should be the VP no?

 

[Avatar4321]

If he was really smart he'd caucus with the Republicans, since he got a lot of votes from them. This would put the Senate in deadlock, with Cheny casting the deciding vote, and the Senate would then be in GOP hands.

I know. but He is loyal. Even when the party rejects him.

 

[no1tovote4]

Technically speaking though, since it is a 49-49-2, why should Dems get an Majority Leader? It should be the VP no?

No. The Independants choose a side with which to caucus so that they can get leadership positions, be assigned to committees, etc. Both of the current Independants, unless there is some huge surprise, will caucus with the Ds thus giving them the majority.