Julián Castro, former Housing and Urban Development secretary and presidential candidate, used Texas Democrats’ dramatic eleventh-hour walkout Sunday night to re-up calls for the Senate to kill the legislative filibuster and pass voting rights safeguards.
Democratic state legislators are doing yeoman’s work in trying to stem the voter suppression tide, but without federal reinforcements, they are doomed. It’s incredibly frustrating that the right and moral thing to do is absolutely clear, but it comes down to two Senators, purportedly on our own side, who fail to see reality. It’s especially appalling after the failure of the 1/6 commission in the Senate, despite their public imploring of Republicans to step up.
Sinema really needs to be held accountable for her not being there. If the six Republicans could stay and vote their conscience then she should be expected to show up.
I am hoping we get a chance to replace her next primary with an actual democrat.
I’m not willing to say she’s not a Democratic politician, but I haven’t figured out who she is working for, as opposed to who she says she’s working for.
I also just think it’s bad form not to show up and vote, unless of course she had a family emergency. I’ve said before that I don’t think she understands optics, and that the issues that we’re dealing with right now are many, are varied, and that we need all hands on deck.
It feels as if Manchin has been maneuvered into a corner, whether by himself, or by the right wing, or both, where he will either have to support major changes to the filibuster, or become an outcast among Democrats. At this point, it should be impossible for him to believe that the R’s will negotiate any reasonable “moderate” resolution that allows him to keep face.
A Sinema spokesperson told The Daily Beast on Friday that “she will be entering into the Congressional record that she would’ve voted ‘yes,’” on the commission but no reason for her absence has yet been given.
Doesn’t stay for the vote and won’t even offer a lame excuse.
See and that’s not good enough, in my opinion. Her faux pas earlier this year with the thumbs down, married with her curtsey. And if I remember correctly no comment from her, a spokesperson ever explained her choices that day.
I did find out much later what the curtsey was for. She was acknowledging the thanks that the senate staffers gave her after she baked and delivered a cake. How much better it would have been if that part had been explained.
And this is why I question her ability to understand optics, to see that even if she doesn’t say anything her actions can and will be talked about.
I get what Castro is doing, trying to get S1 passed before more states can damage voting rights, but this just sounds “off.” The Democrats in Texas are a minority trying to protect everyone by preventing the quorum. Republicans are just going to use this as a reason why NOT to abolish the filibuster, because they are protecting THEIR constituents. Even though it’s a false equivalency most “ordinary” people won’t understand the nuance…again. 
Castro is exploring whether he should run for Guv or Lt Guv. He and Beto are Dem possibilities, especially if we can get Abbott and Patrick weakened more.
Senate filibuster=Drastically weakened Voting Rights for Dems, resulting in assured GOP wins
It’s really that simple.
Any other interpretation is a tap dance, offered for assuredly fatal diversions
He’s a smart man. My fervent hope is he has painted himself into a corner on purpose.
The filibuster in the U.S. Senate must be killed if that is what it takes to pass S.B. 1. If federal voting rights legislation is not passed, the states held hostage by Republicans will continue to create and pass bills designed to cut off minority and “urban” (largely Democratic leaning) voters. We are at a tipping point here where minority rule could be made permanent.
Perhaps if Joe begged harder and louder, that would get those other four votes?
I hope it’s not like convincing a q believer they’re smoking crack.
If a person is Pro-Filibuster, that person no longer wishes for a fair and just Election System.
I did not express the point as well as you did, but every American caring about having a Democratic Republic had better (1) form her/his own version of it (2) memorize it (3) internalize it and (4) fight for it with all she/he has.
How would someone like Manchin and Sinema explain their position on this issue? Could it be something like, “The senate does nothing to defend people’s constitutional rights. But hey! At least the filibuster remains intact.”
That really seems to be at the heart of their beliefs. How could that be an excuse for doing nothing?
The defeat of the 1/6 commission was such a great off-ramp for Sinema and Manchin, but they didn’t take it. I’m not sure TranspoSec Pete’s deadline is even in the same ballpark.
Raul Grjalva perchance?
Castro should run for governor or the senate. Beto has a penchant for putting his foot in his mouth. Dems simply can’t rely on Beto winning a winnable race.