Discussion: Two New Dems Could Mean One Big Problem For GOP Legislative Agenda

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ā€œI will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Washington back on track and fight to make our country a better place for all,ā€ Jones saidā€¦

Darn it, those Dems are on fire.

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A word of advice to Senator-elect Jones: The Republicans donā€™t do compromise. What they call bipartisanship, the rest of the world calls date rape. You can either capitulate to them or stand up for what you believe. If you hold out a hand across the aisle, expect to have it taken off at the elbow.

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Wonder if heā€™ll turn out to be a lot like Mary Landrieu. I suspect some of her concessions to rightwing bullshit positions is what made LA realize they might as well vote for a Republican and get the real deal, which probably depressed the Democratic vote and forced her out for good. Very few Dems had much faith in her by the time she came up for re-election. Still, at this point Iā€™d take someone like Landrieu over Cassidy any day of the week. Letā€™s hope Jones never forgets how he got to the Senate and never takes their vote for granted. Good luck Senator Jones.

Btw, is McCain back?

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Heā€™s in a tough place.
Good thing the Senate is a six year term.

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Since both McCain and Cochran are having health problems which often necessitates them staying in their home states rather than Washington, often the actual senate breakdown will be 49-49.

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Except that Jonesā€™ term only runs until 2021. This was a special election to fill the remainder of Sessionsā€™ term. Jones will have to stand for reelection in 2020.

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And yet, if we want to retain the high ground in the debate that rages in this country, we must retain the high ground.

I know that sounds simplistic if not redundant, but itā€™s actually corr to our brand. If we stoop as low as the rethuglicans, who will remain the voice of reason in America?

Honor and fealty to do the right thing is rairly paid back at the time of transaction, itā€™s more an account that accrues interest in both the best and worst of times. We canā€™t lose sight of the ā€˜long term savingsā€™ our party has accumulated in favor of the latest angst flavor that tRump has injected into the body politic.

Iā€™m just as guilty as anyone Iā€™m PISSED OFF and I want this crap to end, but rubbing the low dirt of anger based reaction all over us will do nothing but give us a short jolt of pleasure and enable our deplorable opponents.

Resist the urges of partisan bile inspired action, it will pay off in the end with a true mandate from Americaā€¦

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Then heā€™s in an even tougher place.
Alabama is one of the dozen + states where Trump is polling over 50%

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ā€¦ except where that bile might energize inspired, forceful, persuasive debate. The anger is inevitable and needs to be well channeled.

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Agreed. Perhaps a better wording would be to avoid ā€˜senselessā€™ partisan bile inspired action

In other words, donā€™t let anger and stupidity inspired by anger run your decision making processā€¦

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Democrats traditionally are right about 60% of the time and too conservative the other 40%. If Senator Jones clears 65% heā€™s my new best friend! If he only manages 55% heā€™s still 60% better than a Republican.

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Not big enough problems.

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I donā€™t see the nation benefiting from a closer Senate margin, at least not in an altruistic way wherein more sensible legislation results by design. More likely each and every GOP Senator, knowing the increased critical value of their vote, will squeeze leadership for parochial perks unique to their state. Or, a more jaded take would see them clawing at perks for their most generous campaign PAC contributors. If youā€™re in a two-Dem state sucks to be you.

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Based on the past year, I do see the benefit: It makes it harder for the Republicans to pass anything, with or without special perks. Every time Republicans fail to pass a bill, the country wins.

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Possibly, but another scenario might see some DINO Senators like Manchin and Heitkamp getting baubles dangled to flip. N.Dakota and W.Virginia get a gift bag and the country gets saddled with a bill that otherwise is a travesty. I donā€™t trust either one of them to hold with the caucus save for the most execrable garbage making it out of committee.

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Meh. All Mitch needs to do is write a note and pinky swear some BS to get Collinsā€™ vote. Pence will break any tie.

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Dead on. Jones is smarter than this. He has to know that every single repug policy and priority will impoverish, injure and kill all but the very wealthiest of his constituents. Repug victims will still vote repug, but Jonesā€™ enabling those deadly policies will lose him the Democratic votes that put him in office.

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Standing on the high ground just makes you a better target.

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Collins can be bought with a glass of ice tea and some flowers.

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