(Tweet deleted. H/T Political Carnival)
UPDATE: Sen. Joe Lieberman is tweeting his thumbs sore over Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Since cloture failed this afternoon, he has written that he and Sen. Susan Collins are introducing a free-standing measure that repeals DADT and that they have the votes to pass it.
The tweet screengrabbed above has been deleted, apparently in favor of one that explains how the bill will move forward before the end of the lame-duck session. NBC's Ken Strickland says the process they've got in mind takes at least three days, more if a senator decides to throttle the process.
EARLIER: A repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell failed moments ago in the U.S. Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) made a surprise call for cloture over the objections of Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who has said she would vote for repeal. The call for cloture fell short by three votes, at 57 to 40. Among the no's were Sen. Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) and Sen. Lisa Murkowksi (R-Alaska), who've said they support repeal, and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), who's counted among the opponents.
After a number of "no" votes had come in, Sen. Collins ended up voting for cloture. At a presser just now with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Connecticut), Ms. Collins said she wants to vote on an independent measure for repeal instead of an amendment to the overall defense spending bill. Why would Mr. Reid go for cloture now? "I just don't understand that decision," she said, arguing that it made no sense.
Unless it does, in a way other than trying to pass the bill.
Chris Moody of the Daily Caller:
Refusing to give into the Republicans' terms for the lame-duck session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is working to score a few last minute political points against the GOP before holding a vote on the Bush-era tax rate extension, and he's doing a very good job of it.
If he's right, then Sen. Reid is losing forward. The senator didn't sound like it afterward. "I regret to say that it is our troops who will pay the price for our inability to overcome partisan political posturing," Reid told reporters.
Greg Sargent reports that a Reid aide says the senator decided that Sen. Collins' demands for time to negotiate amendments were unworkable. In that view, he gave up on waiting.
ADDING: Andrew Sullivan looks at the Sargent and report and writes: "The bottom line: 'Reid couldn't be certain conservative Senators wouldn't use the proceedings to foul up the Senate, with time running out on other major priorities.' So, once again, the gays go to the back of line. Reid shares some of this blame - but the only real reason this hasn't gotten through is Republican opposition, in particular McCain."
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The ultimate solution continues to reside with the federal court and one way or the other DADT will be repealed. I'm sick of the tactics and absurd procedures in the Senate.
I think that there would be a lot of shocked people if all of the gay people in the world just stayed home from work one day. We are your doctors, your teachers, and your lawyers. We are your waiters, your bus drivers, your store managers, and yes, we are your soldiers. Whether you know it or not, we are out there... we are in here. Whether you like to believe it or not, we are already here. We just want to be able to be honest.
The armed forces are supposed to be about teamwork and integrity. How can we have that when a whole segment of people have to lie about who they are. And the policy is called Don't Ask, Don't Tell. If that's true, then why are there thousands of men and women who were discharged without telling. They were unwillingly outed by someone.
We lose the specialized skills of so many men and women, simply because they are gay. If someone is willing to risk their lives to defend our country, they should be allowed to. To tell 10% of the population that they cannot serve their country, when we are so in need of a good, strong military, is just insane. One way or another, this needs to be repealed.
Republicans had eight years to create jobs with seven years of tax breaks for the rich. The outcome was a net loss of 600,000 jobs.
Republicans had a surplus of billions of dollars when President Clinton finished his term in office. The Republicans started two wars that were not paid for, gave drug companies billions in revenue with the Medicare Prescription “Donut Hole” Plan, both not paid for, then allowed financial deregulation, resulting in trillions of dollars in deficits and a financial meltdown that almost bankrupt this nation.
They followed up with the Tarp plan to give their billionaire supporters undocumented funds so they could give billions in Bonuses to the people that caused the issue, and gutted the retirement funds of working Americans, causing millions of people to lose their homes, and millions more to lose their jobs.
Today the Republicans voted against a bill to help the HEROS of the 9/11 disaster, denying them health services for illness and injuries they sustained while doing their jobs. The Republican Senators have vowed to do nothing until the billionaires get a Tax Bonus costing 80 billion dollars a year, once again, not paid for, which will push the nation debt above the 14 trillion dollar ceiling.
I find it hard for any American, unless you are one of the billionaires or multi-millionaires to allow the United States Congress to make this happen.
“We The People” are supposed to be represented by the Congress, not dictated to.
I believe the American People need to stand up and be counted. I suggest a Hundred Million Man March on the Capital demanding they stop playing games with our lives and our future.
Perhaps a National Strike could get their attention. It works in France.
Whatever happened to “Buy American”? How about a 10% tax on all products manufactured outside America then brought into our country for sale. How about American Companies sending American jobs to foreign countries paying the full Unemployment Insurance Wages for the displayed workers until they find another job?
As for the U.S. Senate, where did the 60 vote majority come from? I was taught in school a majority is 51%, not 60%. This almost sounds like an impeachable offense by the Senate.
The problem is, people don't control politics in the United States, money does. A hundred million man march would be truly amazing, but wouldn't accomplish what a hundred million dollar check would. And even if you could convince every single person in that march to donate one dollar, it still would wouldn't total the the donating power of the US Chamber of Commerce in an election year (who received approximately $140 million dollars in 2008, half of that from merely 45 donors).
Finally someone says it like it is...
And the Bull Connor Award for Intransigence in the face of Unstoppable Progress goes to...
Drumroll, Please.
It effectively demonstrates the extent to which the GOP hostage taking has progressed. LGBT, the military, the unemployed and anyone else waiting for justice or progress will need to get in line behind a handout for billionaires.
This is the 2010 version of running down the capitol building halls yelling, "Shut it down, Shut it down!" except this time it looks like Republicans will get away with it.
Bottom line is the Republicans are going to refuse everything until they get their "Wealth Care" plan of tax cuts for the rich! They even shot down a plan today to help 911 heroes who are suffering from ill health. Unbelievable! The President was right when he referred to their approach as "holding Americans hostage". These guys who like to call themselves patriots are more like terrorists.
"Wealthcare" I like that! More people should be using it. It describes what is going on so well.
Gotta admit, it is catchy....
It will not pass until they pass the extension of taxes. Nothing will pass. After that DADT will pass.
No it won't. Even if the Obama tax "deal" passes, the Lynch Mob will cook up another excuse to stop DADT repeal. It's a cheap way to energize their base. They don't care about the vast majority of GLBT voters who vote Democratic and they don't care about Log Cabin, either, because they're a bunch of lapdogs who, after getting slapped around, come back whining for more and besides, there aren't that many of them.
We lost when the Administration decided not to do this in the first session of this Congress.
LOL. What makes you think anything will pass after the tax cut extensions?
I think he scored some points by trying to get something accomplished. They voted on the DREAM bill, they voted to try and get cloture on DADT. Had the White House not stepped in with their compromise, they could have brought the under-$250k bill up for vote. That way, when the Reps rejected it they could point to the fact that they were voting for tax cuts for all but the rich and the Reps refused unless the rich were included. Yes, the American people will hurt from this but compromise has not worked for the last two years.
The Senate did vote on extending tax cuts for under 250k and after that they tried extending tax cuts for under 1 million. Both were filibustered by Republicans. http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/04/senate.tax.vote/index.html
The Tax Vote December 4th was better than nothing, but if it had been held in September, anyone voting against it would have had to justify voting Against Tax Cuts for 98% of the American Taxpayers (and Voters) - In other words, in time to Hold Them Accountable, at Election Time!
At least now, everyone knows what side each Senator is on - FOR Human Rights or Against them!
Reid decided instead of backing down in advance of a threat to filibuster, to force the issue. We could get mad for Reid not being strategic, or not devising an appropriate procedure, But really what's the deal? if you were really for repeal and believed it to be the right thing to do: vote yes. The GOPs who voted to block were showing their partisan devotion, not leadership, honor or commitment to the issue. Frankly, thank you Harry Reid for letting Massachusetts voters really see that their junior Senator does not represent their views - when push comes to shove.
@3January2013
@ Ms. Collins, et al:
(The Elder "Hillel", in "Ethics of the Fathers")
Also attributed to John Fitzgerald Kennedy, as:
...awaiting an answer...still....again...
Anyone else remember a time when simple majorities still mattered in the Senate? How quaint ...
Well, since simple majorities mattered in the 'old days' and the current Republicans are doing everything they can to move the country back to the 18th century (through the machinations of the teabaggers and the religious right), perhaps one day soon, we will see those quaint votes being held again. And we can once again own slaves and women won't be able to vote or get a legal abortion. Divorce will be frowned upon and Irish and Italian immigrants will be treated like dirt because of their Catholicism and the only people who will get a say in this world will be the rich. Did I miss anything?
Jeff, and/ or George - please clue me in. I always thought a majority was 51. What's with this 60 votes business - how and when did that start, d'ya know?
It seems very wrong to me. But then, so do a lot of things in politics.
It takes 60 votes to end a filibuster. It used to be a thing a senator had to actually do. But now merely the threat triggers the vote for cloture. And it used to be a rare thing. But since the 2006 midterms, when the GOP lost the Senate, the Republicans have used the threat of filibusters on every (or nearly every) piece of legislation, thus making 60 the new 51 without any formal changes to the Senate rules.
I believe President Obama is using a strategy that may be hard to bear, but it is also putting the Republicans out on such a limb they are bound to fall off. If the American people are behind him, and at least two thirds of the voters are behind him, what are they thinking?
Rachel, I enjoy your energy and wisdom, but please give him the benefit of the doubt on this. He is a very smart man, and I believe he is following his Christian belief system to be harmless as a dove and wise as a serpent. They are not going to figure it out until they are so badly whipped. They are blinded by hate and greed, and now it is plain for even a child to see it plainly. That is not a bad strategy, although it feels a little rocky. Don't underestimate the power of one man on the side of right, even if it is not popular.
And since when is it everybody's job to judge everything he does as a leader? We elected him and he won, by a huge margin, so let the man do his job, which he is trying to do to the best of his ability. Don't you think he has studied military tactics and knows what he is doing? Plus, I believe the Bible and it says that when a man's ways please God even his enemies will be at peace with him. It does not look like it now, but wait and see. Let him do his job and let history judge him. I know he respects your opinion, and I hope you are in on the strategy, if not, please think about what you say. He needs our support, not our judgment.
As a licensed mental health professional, I know things are seldom what they appear. Sometimes we need to give people the benefit of the doubt.
And no, I am not a nut, and the guy who says God wants to kill gays is not part of my clan. How often people forget that God loves people, regardless. We are the ones who get offended by differences.
Thank you for your show and telling the truth as you see it. Please just dig a little deeper, as I know you always try to do.
We have the right to judge him as our leader BECAUSE we elected him. Without constant messages from their constituents, often lawmakers become out of touch with the people that voted them into office.
My reps hear from me regularly, and this time they needed to hear us say NO to the president's foolish proposal. I could go on and on, but my blood pressure is already peaking.
He has had many many opportunities to end DADT, but refuses to do so. When his plan to repeal it via the senate fails, in part because he can't be bothered to garner votes for it, you want us to be patient? He has two weeks left. What magic strategy is he planning on using. Not executive order. Not letting the federal court rulings stand. Not legislative. Well, there go the three branches of government - what are his other options? Please, explain to me this multifaceted strategy that I have to be patient for.
This is why it's time for women to start running this country; men get bought-out too easily by their peers, and are driven by their own personal agenda governed by greed and competitiveness. I propose we begin with Rachel Maddow running for office.Then, DADT would become a case of: Don't Ask (Me to Do It), Don't Tell (Me What to Do).
Regarding: "how the bill will move forward before the end of the lame-duck session . ... process they've got in mind takes at least three days, more if a senator decides to throttle the process."
Hmmmm ... I can't think of a senator who would do such a thing. Nope. Certainly not one who was in the military 50 years ago and thinks he knows everything there is to know about today's military.
Hey Rachel- Scott Brown voted against cloture. You mad enough to pound away (or run against him)?
Reid doesn't know what he is doing. He is a poor leader and should be dumped. How stupid is what he did?? Very in my opinion
Yes. And given that the GOP is being aided and abetted by our Democratic president, I think we don't stand a chance.
This is just BEYOND disgusting. When our soldiers lack manpower in an attack we will know who to blame for the future deaths. The blood will be on THEIR hands.
Pathetic. McCain is pathetic for leading this. I've lost the little respect I had left for this man.
Simply PATHETIC!
McCain is clearly from another planet. Or he's a robot with a broken chip. Something's not right with that dude.
I'm tired and have nothing left to say. I have a Song4Congress though.
exactly.
Called Murkowski's office to express my concern. The guy who answered the phone said the vote was over so my feelings are "irrelevant." As a therapist I have watched a teenage boy sit with tears dripping off his chin just wishing he could be adopted by a family who would want him. Is he irrelevant, too?
HRC assured our community that they were working closely with with the administration on DADT, ENDA and DOMA.
Fail.
Fail.
Fail.
Why does Joe Solomonese still have a job???
three reasons, and i'll give you three hints and three guesses: w,r,m.
Called Murkowski's office to express my concern. The guy who answered the phone said the vote was over so my feelings are "irrelevant." As a therapist I have watched a teenage boy sit with tears dripping off his chin just wishing he could be adopted by a family who would want him. Is he irrelevant, too?
Sorry for duplicate. The young man in question was gay, had been adopted by a very religious family who tried to beat it out of him. I'm happy to report he chose a good career and moved on. Does anybody know the stats on how many teens die by suicide because of this issue?
just google it. it's high.
I'm just depressed.
and god damned ashamed of being an American...
Not even the bar of dark chocolate I just ate is helping! :(
What ever happen "not under my watch" from Obama? Don't see much pressure from the White House to get the votes.
We are witnessing the looting of our American treasury of our tax money intended for our constitutional purpose by the very people we elected to manage it for us. And Nero fiddled while Rome burned............
Harry Reid is a loser, a terribly unphotogenic and dismal loser. The guy who couldn't make Max Baucas get the healthcare bill out of committee thereby losing the independents and the midterms. If Reid is our face to the public in this Congress, we lose in 2012 and the good world we've known disappears forever. Claire McCaskill for majority leader! Coup! Coup!