tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post577285737233997228..comments2024-01-28T09:27:20.490-06:00Comments on Century of the Common Iowan: Why 60 Seats in the Senate Didn't Matternoneed4thneedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00722983760373724246noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post-79598949112962674912008-12-29T13:23:00.000-06:002008-12-29T13:23:00.000-06:00I got a lot of points...1. The problem is these co...I got a lot of points...<BR/><BR/>1. The problem is these conservative Democrats undermine the Democratic message and help push the myth that this is a conservative nation.<BR/><BR/>Democrats like Jon Tester, Jim Webb, Byron Dorgan, Russ Feingold, and Paul Wellstone represented rural, red-leaning states and still hold Democratic principles and strong convictions.<BR/><BR/>2. A key example is Arlen Spector, a moderate Republican in a swing state. Specter faced a tough primary from the far right because he strayed from the party too much.<BR/><BR/>3. Democrats must have the votes from Bayh, Landrieu, Nelson, Pryor, and Licoln, McCaskill, and Carper to pass key legislation like the employee free choice act, universal health care, end the war, fix No Child Left Behind, etc. Their voting records show that this isn't a sure deal.<BR/><BR/>Getting 60 votes wouldn't have made anything Fillibuster proof because chances are some of these conservative Democrats will vote with the Republicans.noneed4thneedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722983760373724246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post-76468149271588378452008-12-29T11:57:00.000-06:002008-12-29T11:57:00.000-06:00I would also point out that most of the Senators y...I would also point out that most of the Senators you mentioned comes from a fairly republican leaning state. I don't have numbers, but is it possible they actually reflect their constiuencies?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post-31286753683616365872008-12-29T11:53:00.000-06:002008-12-29T11:53:00.000-06:00I've read (and now reread) almost all your posts w...I've read (and now reread) almost all your posts with the centrist tag. My point, however, wasn't that "centrists" had superior views or that they were more in line with polling numbers. It may be that the "centrists" you cite might actually -believe- what they're voting. I'd rather have a elected official vote their beliefs then switch their vote to reflected some political calculus. It is possible, after all, for intelligent, well-intentioned people to actually disagree with the Democratic party.<BR/><BR/>I will grant you that my primary assumption that their voting record reflects their convictions may be faulty. It is entirely possible that they are voting the way the campaign money tells them too regardless of what they might actually think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post-44748993035542566842008-12-29T10:45:00.000-06:002008-12-29T10:45:00.000-06:00Read some of these posts for my thoughts on those ...Read some of these posts for my thoughts on those that claim to be centrists... http://commoniowan.blogspot.com/search/label/Centristsnoneed4thneedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722983760373724246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23751890.post-49037093116783557912008-12-29T09:45:00.000-06:002008-12-29T09:45:00.000-06:00Assuming their votes are based on their conviction...Assuming their votes are based on their convictions and not cynical political motivations, I can't think of anything more<BR/>"democratic" then an elected official voting their conscience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com