Liveblog II: Okay, so it’s not really a filibuster…
Posted: December 10, 2010 Filed under: Populism, the blogosphere | Tags: Bernie Sanders, Filibuster, live blog, Obama-McConnell tax breaks extention 63 Comments
Bernie Sanders isn’t really preventing the Obama-McConnell tax cuts from being voted on. That is supposed to happen on Monday. But who cares? Just killjoys and whiners. The man is still standing after 7+ hours on the Senate floor. His voice sounded a little hoarse for awhile, but right now he’s going strong again.
Why can’t we get Sanders to run for President? He’s a lot more charming than Ralph Nader and he actually cares about the middle class and the poor, unlike the arrogant, cynical, corrupt egomaniac who occupies the White House right now. The fact that only two other Democratic Senators have joined Sanders in his “filibuster” demonstrates to the American people how disgustingly corrupt and immoral our political class is today.
Sanders is talking about real issues that don’t get covered by our corporate media. He has discussed the growth of income equality in America, the lack of attention that has been paid to our infrastructure, the causes of the recent economic emergency, and why Obama’s tax cut bill is wrong and will harm ordinary Americans.
Sanders is talking about usury and how credit card companies are robbing people blind. He says they are “no different that the gangsters who used to beat up people on street corners” for not paying off the loan sharks.
I wonder what Obama and his pals in the White House are thinking about all of this?
Here are some reactions to the “filibuster” that I have found around the blogosphere.
At FDL, David Dayen wrote that
Sanders is calling attention to the massive inequality in America, which will only be stratified further by a tax cut bill that raises taxes from current law for 25 million low-income workers and gives millionaires a tax cut of about $139,000 a person. He’s explaining America’s insane trade policies, which have cut out the American manufacturing base and hollowed out the middle class. He’s taking on corporate CEO pay, and the two-income trap, and basically making the progressive critique of an economy bought and paid for by the very rich….
…you’re seeing issues discussed on the Senate floor that almost never come up in any other context. Political theater is sadly one of the few ways to cut through the clutter in America, and that’s what Sanders is up to, I suspect.
At his Guardian blog, Michael Tomasky wrote:
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard liberals say, “Reid should just make them filibuster! Make them hold the floor for 24 straight hours, as Strom Thurmond once did. They will look ridiculous to the American people, especially as said people figure out they’re trying to block a relatively inexpensive unemployment benefits extension, and the opposition will crash down like a house of cards.”
In a session with a record number of filibusters threatened and cloture motions filed, it never happened. Almost, once or twice; but it didn’t. So, it’s kind of sad that the only actual filibuster of the whole dysfunctional session is the one happening right now, but it doesn’t involve Republicans at all.
Tomasky likes the tax cut deal, but still…
I admire Sanders, and although I think the deal is pretty good, under the circumstances, and should pass, I do take my hat off to the guy. It’s just nice to see someone taking a stand for the view that upper-income households don’t need a tax cut, and the view that we’re going to have an estate tax that will impact – get this – just 3,500 families in the entire country (see that chart, and look at “taxable returns” for 2011 under the Lincoln-Kyl proposal).
Sanders is not expected to pull a Thurmond. The Senate put together a package last night and this morning that added a few meagre sweeteners for the Democrats (extending subsidies for alternative energy and ethanol that were slated to expire). It will almost surely pass, with most Republicans and enough Democrats. Then, the action moves to the House, where things are a bit iffier but, most suspect, only a bit.
There goes another cynical killjoy. Sanders is doing something truly admirable and he deserves support, if not from other politicians, from us ordinary Americans. Just seeing him do this gives me hope–and not the kind of fake “hope” that Obama sold to the progs. It’s the kind of hope that makes you want to get up and fight for what is right.
At The Nation, John Nichols writes:
After Sanders took the rostrum at 10:24 a.m. Friday, the Vermont Independent posted a message on his his twitter account that read: “You can call what I am doing today whatever you want, you [can] call it a filibuster, you can call it a very long speech…”
Six hours later, Sanders was still speaking. His bold gesture grabbed the attention of the nation, as Senate video servers were overwhelmed when more than 12,000 people tried to watch the speech online.
For all the excitement, Sanders was not actually blocking a vote on the tax deal. The Senate will not take the issue up until Monday, at the earliest.
Sanders was, however, sending a powerful signal about the fight to come.
Nichols also calls attention to
…a letter circulated by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, the senators said: “We have grave misgivings about the recent tax agreement. We hope that the Senate can improve on it. We look forward to working with you to ensure a vote on our amendment to strengthen Social Security in lieu of bonus tax cuts for people who are doing quite well.”
The following Senators have signed the letter:
Merkley, Landrieu. Alaska’s Mark Begich, Hawaii’s Daniel Akaka, Ohio’s Sherrod Brown, Minnesota’s Al Franken, Colorado’s Mark Udall and California’s Barbara Boxer
Nichols suggests that several other Senators might support the sentiments in the letter. The text of the letter is included at the end of the article.
Politifact investigated Sanders’ claims about income inequality and learned that he has been telling the truth. Are you listening corporate media?
Right now, Bernie Sanders is reading from heartrending letters from his constituents. Someone needs to force President Obama to sit down in front of his TV and watch this. He might learn what a real Democrat should look and sound like. Yes, I know Bernie is an independent, but back in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, Democrats he would have fit in in the Democratic Party.
Today, corrupt corporate tools like Barack Obama have the gall to call themselves Democrats. It’s a crying shame what has happened to my former party and my country. Thank you Bernie Sanders for what you are doing today.
Watch Bernie Sanders long, long speech at C-Span 2.
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Go, Bernie, Go!!!!
Glad you got this up!! The last one was getting a little long! thx!
I got a little carried away looking for blog reactions.
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/C-SPAN2.aspx
This is the CSPAN 2 Live stream link.
and it’s #filibernie on Twitter!!!
Thanks, I’ll add that to the post.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/fix-poll/bernie-sanders-waste-of-time-o.html Bringing up from last post.
good! I voted!
Thanks, I just voted.
Thanks. I voted and was pleased to see that 85% of voters thought what Bernie is doing has value.
86% now
4200 votes
Poll: Obama’s losing support; Romney would beat him now
Wow, 42%. That’s bad.
OK, taking Bernie’s advice, I’m contacting my rep and senators again.
I haven’t listened to this much cspan since Byrd was speaking before the war vote.
Bernie’s still going strong but I have to admit being a more than a little disappointed by Bill’s push for this awful legislation. And a H/T to Charles Krauthamer as well?
This stuff is getting to be more and more upside down.
I know. Very surreal.
If Bill Clinton is pushing a plan that incorporates a back-door plan to tank SS, he’s lost me forever.
Also bringing this up from down stairs, Please call and support Sen. Sanders. I just called Sen. Sanders office in Vermont. I started telling her thank-you and burst into to tears. She told me thousands of people where calling and then, me knowing the MSM is not letting people know we agree with him, I just fell apart. It is well worth calling. Phone DC: (202) 224-5141
Phone Vermont: (802) 862-0697
Just tried to call both numbers..both busy. Will keep trying but that’s a good sign I think.
Love Bernie’s sarcasm in saying that he’s proposing a radical idea by suggesting that the responsibility of Congress is to represent the middle class, not just the very rich.
I’m disappointed in Bill Clinton for supporting this. But it’s still kind of funny that Obama had to call him for help.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/10/bill-clinton-holds-court-in-impromptu-white-house-news-conference/?hp
Why not just let Bill take over and Obama can go to parties with Mrs. Obama to his heart’s content.
what’s the link to this bit about Obama not wanting to keep Michelle waiting?
Link is in the previous comment.
I just saw this video, I put a link to it down at bottom. So much going on….
Kinda cute and being passed around the Twitterverse!!!
http://isberniesandersstilltalking.com/
Glad to hear Bernie talking about the real purpose of the payroll tax “holiday”–to eliminate SS!
Yes, indeed, Dak touched on that in the past and I AGREE!
Senator Bernie Sanders was a very good speaker and had a full grasp of the subject matter and spoke with passion caring for his fellow Americans.
(((clapping for Bernie))) Well done!
I do not watch anything any more with Obama as I find him to be full of a lot of statements but little substance. I find it interesting that Obama admits that the Republicans have him over the barrel which is a direct admission that he is not up to the job. Now he has to beg for the Clinton aura to try to get his fisaco through.
Just like George Bush, history will not be kind to Obama.
Just wanted to say I’m so proud that Sky Dancing is liveblogging Sanders’ speech. We’re one of the very few doing so.
It is great, isn’t it? Thanks to all at Sky Dancing.
Thank you! BostonBoomer is really the brain behind live blogging this and many other things including the Green Revolution. I think she’s right that it’s important to have a place to really discuss what’s going on right now. Blogging should be a conversation.
(((clapping for DAK AND BB!)))
GOOD ON YA!
How could anyone not be listening to this? I keep going Yesss! when he makes one good point after another. I’m ready to join the Bernie Sander’s Party.
Those letters from his constituents made me cry.
And I keep choking up, feeling pride. He’s saying what we’ve all wanted said! At least some people are listening. We suddenly have a voice!
As Dak said, he’s making me feel hopeful, hopeful about fighting and being able to fight.
I know, the stories of those barely making it, are the same that Obama let down by blocking the Public Option for his GOP, Insurance Companies, and Wall Street Greedos. 😥
95% of the calls received by Senator Bernie Sanders office are NOT IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE BUSH TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH by Obama.
Wow, I can’t wait for a free TV….dang I am missing this. I have to see if I can find it online. Anybody know of a place?
Every time Sanders says that the proposed tax cuts don’t benefit the middle class, it’s a direct slap at Obama saying that he (Obama) is now the great defender of the middle class–against us angry liberals.
He’s concluding his day’s efforts.
I think he’s finishing now? He’s gone for 8 hours or so.
yeah, he just yielded the floor.
Too bad.
You know, I’m hoping it was just a dress rehearsal for the HUGE filibuster when the vote is called. I know it’s unlikely, but wow, that would be cool.
He said what needed to be said. I hope ‘they’ listen.
The Congressional Black Caucus does not like the current tax plan. They have announced that the vast majority of their membership are opposed. Here’s their presser that presents an alternative.
Watching it now. It’s like the sleeping liberal lion is finally awakening after having been kicked for so long by blue dogs and republican rats.
Time to fight to make the lion’s bite really feared.
It’s interesting, but when you mentioned the sleeping liberal lion, I couldn’t help but remember another incredible Senate speech (although much shorter than Bernie’s), and that was when Teddy Kennedy took the floor and railed at any of his fellow senators who were prepared to vote against an increase in the minimum wage. Kennedy was really angry that day, and he did resemble a fierce lion when he spoke.
I have been remembering that Kennedy speech all day.
Thanks, Beata. He was brilliant that day.
One of my favorite speeches..ever. I can’t help but feel if (despite his Obama love or whatever that was) he would not be standing for this crap sandwich we are being fed.
Thank you Sen. Sanders for making us feel better than we have in a long time. Job well done!
Bernie Sanders’ epic tax cut filibuster rant
Andrew Leonard, Salon
Geez, I have been away from the computer…WTF is going on? I got so much to catch up on. Someone may have posted this link, but did you see this?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/12/10/obama_ditches_tax_cut_presser_after_bill_clinton_takes_control.html
Obama walked out of the press conference? and left Clinton to answer questions?
White House Staff Christmas party. Said he didn’t want to keep Michelle waiting …
And they said it was Hillary who could only do tea parties.
Nice to see Bill standing there again. Looks like he enjoyed it too.
And of course there was Obama’s fake flash smile.
Great Obama abdicated his position so Bill can be President again. Yay!
The following is Snark. UPI Wire. stop. In a bizarre accident today. stop. Obama supporters started a stampede at wifi computers connections all over the country. stop. Supporters wearing T-shirts with “Kick Me” written on the front and “She’s just the Same” on the back”, stop. Have not yet been explained the meaning. stop. One supporter was over heard saying “But Mark Penn backs Obama, what do we do now?” stop. Reporters at the scene were frantically trying to understand what had just happened. stop. Film at 11.
snicker.
I’m wondering if I should listen to Sanders speech again and pick out the good points. Of course, it was about 8 straight hours of good points.
Hopefully his office’ll have a fact sheet. I want to print it off and give it to my friends, maybe post it to the windows of my car.
He did repeat a lot, so you could start at the beginning and then skip over quite a bit.
I might set myself this task then, if his office doesn’t do so in the next few days. Something to do while I wait for the ark to arrive (forecasts are for major flooding rains in the PacNW this weekend).
A wet, wet weekend for us upper left-hand corner people. Predicted 1 to 3 inches down in the lowlands, 3 to 8 inches of rain up in the mountains.
Stay out of basements.
hey BB! and Kat! like your place here, good stuff 🙂
except…uhh, well…..did you have to diss my man Ralph Nader? he is SO charming!! I’ve loved that man since I was a young girl, and have been honored to vote for him a couple of times. I like the heck out of Bernie Sanders too though!
keep up the good work, glad to see y’all!!!
Hi!!! Good to see you! Please visit a lot!!!