Filibuster!
Posted: December 10, 2010 Filed under: just because, legislation, Live | Tags: Bernie Sanders Filibuster for the Middle Class, Filibuster, Obama-McConnell Tax Breaks extension, Seanator Landrieu, Senator Sanders, Tax Breaks for Billionaires 121 Comments
Well, I guess it’s going on long enough we need to open a live blog thread!!!
Senator Bernie Sanders has started a filibuster of the Obama/McConnell behind-closed-doors tax deal.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — a self-described democratic socialist — railed against the plan in a lengthy floor speech that he said “you [can] call … a filibuster.”
“You can call what i am doing today whatever you want, you it [sic] call it a filibuster, you can call it a very long speech … ,” read a message posted on Sanders’s Twitter account after he’d taken to the rostrum at 10:24 a.m.
“I’m not here to set any great records or to make a spectacle,” Sanders said at the top of his speech. “I am simply here today to take as long as I can to explain to the American people the fact that we have got to do a lot better than this agreement provides.”
CSPAN-2 is live streaming the Senate.
Right now, my Senator Mary Landrieu is up and appears to be aiding the effort. She even has a nifty graph up about my state of Louisiana.
Sanders has called the plan “virtually a Republican idea”.
Here are the CBO numbers on how much this tax plan will cost. The number is $858 billion dollars.
The Obama-McConnell tax compromise will cost $858 billion over the next 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office.
In other words, the Republican-backed tax plan will cost more than the stimulus bill, which priced out at $787 billion.
For starters, extending all of the Bush tax cuts for two years will cost a total $675.2 billion over 10 years, according to a Dec. 3 Congressional Research Service study. Setting the estate tax at 35%, adding an exemption for estates under $5 million, knocking 2 percentage points off employees’ portion of the Social Security payroll tax, and the cost quickly goes up.
So, how does the U.S. pay the bill?
Twitter Update from CSPAN on the Live Coverage:
Screen grabs from C-SPAN2 HD coverage of Bernie Sanders filibuster http://cs.pn/gveC51 & http://cs.pn/dFZNBq
It’s a filibuster as filibusters were originally intended — and, as such, makes a mockery of what the filibuster’s become: a gimmick that allows a minority of senators to quietly impose supermajority requirements on any piece of legislation.
Joined at different times by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Sanders has been decrying the Obama tax cut plan for bailing out the wealthiest people in America. “How can I get by on one house?” Sanders railed, sarcastically. “I need five houses, ten houses. I need three jet planes to take me all over the world! Sorry, American people. We’ve got the money, we’ve got the power.”
peej
Carissa
dakinikat
ecocatwoman
grayslady
mablue2
NW Luna
peggysue22
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Landrieu!?!?! I’m choking…
I know, right?
She just mentioned 30 hours!!!
I just wrote her a big ol’ thank you email.
Sanders talked so long, he was talking when I took my dog to the vet and was still talking when we returned. When I turned on the set and saw him still going, my heart leapt.
And now your Senator is amazing.
Democrats doing what they’re supposed to do. Bostonboomer called it!
And BTW totally and completely off topic, my dog’s biopsies came back benign.
This is one fine Friday.
Glad to hear good news on the biopsy results.
Glad to hear that about your dog!!!
I’m so excited! I just happened to turn on C-Span 2 this morning and I found a REAL filibuster going on. Bernie is getting kind of hoarse now.
Woo hoo! Glad to hear about your dog. What a relief! I’ve got to go take my puppy to the vet in an hour, nothing as bad as a biopsy for her though.
I just logged in, 12:30 pm here in the PacNW and Sanders is still talking.
Bless his wonderful heart!
Sanders to Landrieu: “Senator I’m not going anywhere, take as long as you want!”
🙂
Loved that. There should be a line of dems joining him right now.
Sherrod Brown appears to be the only other one at this point.
Woohoo! This is more like it. Am calling & emailing my Sens. Murry & Cantwell to join in.
I”m going to do the same!
Landrieu is sounding amazingly populist.
I have to say, when the first rumblings of a Democrat rebellion began, I thought iwas just the usual cover kabuki for a few. But perhaps not. I can’t wait to see how it plays out. I can’t say I hope it’s real, since the word “hope” remains poisoned by the 2008 campaign, but I’ll allow this could turn out to be not what I anticipated.
Yup,we’re actually hearing some populist rhetoric that’s coming from Democrats this time!!
I thought the same thing and will love nothing more than to have been wrong!
Also with you about “hope,” but I’m letting myself be a little encouraged.
Will be listening to as much as I can.
She actually did make a great point about something that I really never did consider. The use of stimulus money to offset taxes. Its nice to see democrats finally getting a spine……
Hillary 2012
Where is Russ Feingold in all of this??? He has done nothing for the past two years to throw sand in the works, now he has nothing to loose.
Probably still licking his wounds from loss of his job.
“loss of his job” Heh. He got fired because he hadn’t been doing anything these last two years.
Bernie Sanders a trending topic on twitter 🙂 , I am loving this and extremely proud to be witnessing this, where are the rest of the dems?
I haven’t seen a good old fashion filibuster like this in years!!!
Kind of thrilling isn’t it? He hasn’t missed a beat.
I’m calling Feinstein and Boxer to support the filibuster! We need to call all Democrats to support Sanders.
I got one of my Senators, the other one’s lines are all busy. The first I called from the rural number, but told them I was closer to the big city, I was tired of busy signals.
Go Senator Bernie Sanders BO!
Bernie is saying everything that has needed to be said for years!
I feel like he’s read my mind and he’s just reading from it. He’s covering about everything I’ve been steamed about for at least 10 years.
Exactly.
I am wrapping gifts while glued to C-Span and applauding Bernie Sanders and Mary Landrieu for voicing the concerns and outlining the mess the GOP is forcing on this country.
Whether or not he succeeds, the American public owes him a huge debt of thanks for taking up this important matter and speaking on behalf of us who still care about this democracy.
Good on Bernie and all those who speak up to power on our behalf!
The lone “bright light” in a darkening America.
I just called Sen. Menendez’s office and he is support Obama’s bill and will not support the filibuster. I’m sure Sen. Lautenberg’s office will tell me the same, but I’m calling anyway. Infuriating!
Get friends to call Menendez to support the filibuster. The more people call, the more difficult it will be fore these senators to support the tax cuts. I know Boxer does not want to join the filibuster, but if she gets enough calls, she’ll shift.
Just called Sen. Menendez’s office and added my voice to yours. So that makes two of us, Delphyne. Sen. Lautenberg’s office says he is still studying Obama’s tax proposal, about which he has “concerns”. 🙄
Sen. Byrd’s quote “Why is this Chamber empty?” keeps going thru my head.
Jane at FDL has a small chart on how much the Obama tax cuts would cost over 10 years – $800 billion, adding $4 trillion to the deficit over 10 years. How is this going to be paid? The addition to the deficit for tax cuts for those of us who make under $250K is $3.2 trillion and the cost is NADA.
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/12/10/obama-worked-to-kill-democratic-fight-on-tax-cuts/
Her last line:
It’s hard to “fight” when the head of your party runs his political operation with the emotional maturity of an overheated teenage boy in the latest installment of Twilight.
wow, that’s harsh!!! I have Bernie streaming in the background. He’s gone off on the estate tax now and he’s just talking the Walton family (Walmart).
We’ve just completed 5 hours of filibustering!!!
(Will this be Weekend at Bernies?)
The woman in Sen. Lautenberg’s office said it is not properly a filibuster because there is no legislation that has been drafted yet. So what is actually happening?
I think it’s along the lines of I’m Mad As Hell And I’m Not Going To Take It Anymore.
He’s on Wall Street and the Banks now!! And the monopoly concentration! He’s been talking all day about things I’ve been screaming about for years. It is! I hope so much that people are listening to this!!!
Yes!!! He’s quoting Teddy Roosevelt now on Trustbusting!!!
WoO HOOO! Go Bernie GO!!!
I love Bernie!
He’s talking about what is actually going to happen to Social Security and whose idea the payroll tax holiday really is- the Republicans – y’know those folks who want to do away with SS.
Thank you, Bernie.
I hope that lazy MSM picks up on this.
And I wish Kerry would stand up with him. I just told him so.
Bernie is saying Obama has no credibility.
DAK, maybe you can touch on that as it really hurts the worker and as someone that does payroll, I don’t know what that is going to do to me ( I don’t see a box to unclick and will my payroll assist software company be able to do it in time? Will I have to give them a check…oh, just what I needed at years end with all the other things to do).
I am a supporter of showing at years end, what employees put in and what employers put in too. I also, think it should also include the workers comp payments per worker at years end so that they could see what that costs and how small business bares the burden as large companies can self insure and fight tooth and nail over any claim. Small businesses are left out in the cold. I personally think the workers comp insurance should be tallied into Health Care via the Public Option as the reason workers comp insurance went into affect was because workers didn’t have health insurance. Also, we carry liability insurance and that could then include negligence etc, for the employees. Lordi, I even have to have coverage in case I make an admin whapo (mistake).
Go Bernie GO!
To paraphrase, Bernie to the Republicans: don’t give me your hypocrisy, you’re giving the tax breaks to the rich because they give you money.
Priceless! Someone speaking the truth!
I just told Bernie Thank you!
Here’s a link:
http://sanders.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm
GO Senator Bernie Sanders GO!
I just saw him on CNN and he is amazing! OK, finally the Democrats are showing what someone with PRINCIPLES can do! YEA!
Does anyone know if there is a live stream of this Filibuster?
Try this:
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN2.aspx
Thank you… (((waving))) YEA!
Sent him a TY also.
I can’t get to the senate.gov site. Wonder if it’s getting hammered by a DDOS or something more benign?
yup, it appears to be overloaded!!!
Finally got through and emailed them. Now to note down the phone numbers and give them a call.
It would be funny if Joe Lieberman (or is it Joe Leiberman) and HLS thought it was a wikileaks supporter attack and all it was, a bunch of Democrats chumping at the bit to see A REAL DEMOCRAT WITH PRINCIPLES! An endangered species in the OBAMA Democratic Party.
Could be alot of us cheering him on-
I know I am – I just emailed him to thank him and Sen. Landrieu.
Like Star Trek’s 7 of 9 contacting the ships captain, “Captain, we are under attack, our computers are being over run by useless information”, then the captain informs 7 of 9, that those are FANS sending messages to DATA!
OOOOOhh,he just took it to GE and Imelt!! Go Bernie! GO !!!
Not to mention the US Chamber of Commerce! That organization deserves both barrels.
Or call him:
Phone DC: (202) 224-5141
Phone Vermont: (802) 862-0697
I called the VT phone number to thank Senator Sanders. I also let the assistant know that I called Boxer and Feinstein to support Senator Sanders filibuster. The assistant was very thankful.
rickklein Rick Klein
Finally!!!
WOWZA! Yup, it only takes one person, to point out that it is a continuation of the BUSH TAX FOR THE RICH POLICIES!
GO BERNIE GO!
Big Dog is on CNN right now saying this is a good bill.
Sad, sad, sad. He knows better.
Wishful thinking, I’m afraid.
I wished Bill had not supported the bill. I understand why he did, but I would preferred he didn’t.
Then again, Obama will be responsible for the mess it creates, so it’s possible Bill is doing the same thing he did with HCR telling Obama to go for it. Sometimes I think Bill is giving Obama the rope.
He said he thought it was the best deal they could get.
TC has the video and I see that BC put the spin. He picked the good parts and never talked about the SS tax holiday that it’s very bad for the Social Security. Reversing that tax will be another fight and it will happen with a GOP controlling the house. Obama will go along with another extension. Bye bye SS.
The best deal “they” could get. No way is it the best deal he or Hillary would get.
Yup, but Obama must have called him asking for HALP! Where is that kitty photo…HALP! They are waking up…HALP!
It’s stunning to watch. The press is asking Big Dog questions. Obama is just standing there.
I watched the last part (after Obama walked off) on CSpan. Clinton took questions on many issues. The Clinton hating but “deal” supporting Obotos are going crazy.
As Clinton was finally walking away from the podium one press member shounted-
“What time is your presser on Monday?”
Everyone laughed.
So, did the House fold yesterday on this? I know the caucus voted not to support it, but, but, then I heard that the WH was rushing in to do some strong arming and so on. So did they fold? Or is the bill’s fate in the House still uncertain?
The house hasn’t folded yet.
Holy shit. Obama just walked off saying he’s keeping the First Lady waiting, and then he left!
I guess he really cares about his tax compromise!!!!!
Asshat (stolen from theRock)
Flipping bizzare! I just caught the tail end of that. WTF is going on? BO is a giant baby.
I don’t know, I tuned in late, but all I saw was Big Dog explaining and Obama standing there and then Big Dog started taking questions and Obama just left. Maybe Obama spoke initially, but this is really bizarre. Who’s President again?
JonWalkerDC Jon Walker
Obama 3 am phone call: Help me! Help me Bill Clinton! This is too hard
daveweigel daveweigel
Why Bill Clinton Should Primary Obama #schoenpitches
ThePlumLineGS Greg Sargent
More “triangulation” nonsense. Ugh. So boring
me: Help me Obi-Wan KenoBill You’re My Only Hope
MajoratNJ Major Garrett
All Right, who put Lewis Carroll in charge of EVERYTHING? Clinton just called C. Krauthammer “brilliant” and hailed his pro #framework op-ed
He is so in over his head.
You have got to be kidding! In what world are we living?
Big Dog’s still taking questions.
Who is the President???
LOL! Before they went to commercial, after Big Dog left, the CNN guy was attempting to explain Obama’s leaving by saying…”I know there’s a holiday party going on right now at the White House…”
omg
Obama likely is swigging down a few cups of holiday eggnog w/rum, thinking he’s lucky to get away from the reporters.
Weakling.
The media has a blackout on Bernie Sanders filibuster. Very few in the media have a story. The LA Times must have looked for the least good looking Senator Sanders photo for the story.
Sen. Bernie Sanders launches filibuster against tax cut for the wealthy
More at LA Times
I see an AP story now. AP doesn’t call it filibuster.
Vermont senator talks for hours against tax bill
what? oh that is weird …
I could not bear listening to Big Dawg say these things – Bumbles never disappoints when it comes to behaving sub human – what a statesman….
ASSHAT
I loved every minute of. I don’t even care that he said Charles K is brilliant. He is smart – just don’t agree with anything he says.
Loved the sign behind Clinton:
The White House
Washington
Clinton was Presidential. Actually fatherly. Obama needed help from Daddy. This is just too funny.
Me too, Dee. It’s the first time I’ve enjoyed a “Presidential” new conference since the nineties! Clinton was brilliant. Totally knowledgable on every subject with no teleprompter.
I suspect that the Big Dawg is trying to keep the Democratic party together. I don’t believe that he thinks this is good, but he’s no longer the President. However he still is a major part of the Democratic party and probably sees the disintegration of his beloved party so is doing whatever he can to prolong it’s existence. Does that make sense? He’s trading on his own popularity to shore up the reputation of a party that rejected him and Hillary – yet he can see what will happen if people turn to the republicans, so he’s making the best of a bad deal – triangulating if you will. Sometimes I think he enjoys being called in to clean up another of Obama’s messes. Other times, I wonder what he is thinking because Obama knows the depths of CDS and only called on Bill because Bill is smarter, and anything henceforward will be blamed on the Big Dawg and by extension Hillary. To any Obot reading, Bill Clinton is a thousand times smarter and more saavy than your messiah, and by his own admission, he has nothing on Hillary. And you chose the GQ man.
I agree – I believe this is Bill’s effort to save his Party and has little to do with wanting to save Obama’s ass. Also, I think the fact that Hillary is in the cabinet probably contributed to his decision to take the stage.
This has been an extraordinary week in politics.
I agree. Bill’s not crazy about the bill, he said as much, but he knows it’s better than anything that’s going to happen when the Republicans take over in January. He’s a patriot first, an Obama detractor second.
Well said HT. Watching Obama’s face as Bill talked started to melt in a way, you could kinda see the jealousy and anger rise. I do believe however that Big Dawg wouldn’t have negotiated this deal from such a give away position in the first place.
Like Bernie keeps saying, does anyone actually think those tax cuts will expire in two years?
Okay, I find this funny too:
Bill took a bunch of questions on a wide variety of issues. He was fantastic.
I posted this above. As Clinton was finally leaving the press room a reporter shouted to him – “What time is your presser on Monday?”
How long will it be before some Koolaid drinker says that this shows what a great leader Obama is? LOL
I have been reading some of the posts by the true believers over at DU. They are angry and crazy. They can’t decide if they are more mad at Obama or Clinton. One thing is clear – the children are hurting.
It is very entertaining.
Bernie is reading these letters people write him and they are just heart breaking!!
And he’s adding his own comments, explanations. Love how engaged he is even at nearly 6 hours. That’s passion.
so glad SOMEONE is standing up and braking back!! Thank you Bernie !
Called Bernie’s office in Vermont. Could hear phones ringing in the background. Nice tired sounding guy answered the phone, very pleasant, asked if I’d like to be added to Sanders’ email list.
Call and support Bernie!
Phone DC: (202) 224-5141
Phone Vermont: (802) 862-0697
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
The White House has NO ONE answering the phones… 😦
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/fix-poll/bernie-sanders-waste-of-time-o.html Please vote.
GO BERNIE GO! Many people are agreeing with you!
Go Bernie GO!
I am glad that he is mentioning that NOT everyone goes to an IVY LEAGUE college, some don’t even have the opportunity to go to college and are the foundation of our working force, what makes America work, what makes America great.
NEW Filibuster Live thread up!!!