I'm not sure that's accurate.

A filibuster may not even be within the rules since this is, at bottom, a Constitutional duty of the Senate relating to the establishment of rules. It's parliamentary procedure, not legislative or executive calendar business.

"And the reality is that there isn't really anything Reid can do to force the desired outcome if the Republican caucus stays united."

Never underestimate the underwhelming power of a well-crafted, sternly-worded letter.

"Wisten, Mr. Cowlman... yeah, this is Hawwy Weid... stop being so wascawy! You should wesign or I'll be weawy, weeeeeeeawy disappointed in you.

No, weawy, don't waff, this time I mean it! Don't make me have to do something I'w weegwet wayter, wike making my eyebwows aww fuwwowed."

God, I never thought I'd appreciate LBJ's senatorial style, but now, watching the Dems tiptoe through tulips, I gotta hand it to ol' Lyndon. Knock some heads, Harry!

As I understand it, the rules for the filibuster are determined by the Senate's organizing resolution, which is passed at the beginning of each two-year session by a simple majority. Certain items, like budget reconciliation, aren't subject to a filibuster. Why don't the Democrats just put into the organizing resolution a provision that a recommendation from the Membership Committee (or whatever it's called) to seat a particular member, provisionally or otherwise, can't be filibustered?

The Republicans have already explained how to do this, when they advocated using the "nuclear option". If the Republicans want to hold things up, they can do so until Jan. 20. At that point, Joe Biden, in his role as presiding officer of the Senate, can recognize a point of order from any Democrat and rule the Republican attempt to block the seating of Al Franken out of order, since there's no precedent for using a filibuster to block a lawfully elected member. If the Republicans object, then they would need a majority of the Senate (which they don't have) to overturn Biden's ruling.

Did Mitch McConnell give Harry Reid permission to object mildly to something the Republicans want? If not, it would be a first. If Harry Reid and fellow buttboy Joe Lieberman both officially join the GOP, as opposed to simply supporting them in most things that make a difference, there'd still be enough Democrats to get things done to improve the lives of 300 million Americans who aren't millionaires.

Power is a funny thing; it is by design only to temporary; be it bestowed legitimately or illegitimately, when those who gain it illegitimately seek to keep it even though it was always only temporary they lose it permanently.

Each day Coleman fought losing his place and power attempting to win tactical even procedural battles without an eye that it is the people's will that was always at stake, not his or his supporters. He is being made to look foolish and totally without any moral standing.

The more he fights the more he will lose any standing except for those who might try to use him for some small gain.

Daddy D,

When the majority is right, they don't need the filibuster- they can stop bad legislation with a straight-up vote.

My reason for wanting to go nuclear at this moment in time is twofold-- the country is in the ditch, and if Obama can't move his agenda forward, we could be in really serious trouble. Second, the GOP is in an even deeper ditch, and if we play our cards right it will be decades before they dig themselves out. So, given the dire circumstances of the moment, I think we need the ability to hammer legislation thru Congress, even though I acknowledge that we could regret the loss of the filibuster at some future date.

Here's an idea, Harry. Make them actually go up there and filibuster and not just buckle because they threaten to filibuster.

If, as pointed out on another story by an informed commenter, Minnesota law requires the person contesting the election result in court to post bond and if they lose, to pay the legal costs, then Harry Reid's letter to Norm Coleman is truly inane: If Coleman loses the court case, he pays for it and Minnesota taxpayers don't. If Coleman wins the court case, and therefore the election, then Reid has no grounds to ask him to step aside.

Reid really has to go away! Hundreds of millions of Americans voted for change and for effective leadership to achieve that change. If the Democrats keep flinching at shadows, and keep adhering to a policy of incessant appeasement of the party which the people just repudiated . . . then a lot of ordinary people will say: "We've been sold out!"

I sent a letter to my U.S. Senator, Dick Durbin, asking what the hell is up with this relatively new practice of treating threatened filibusters as actual filibusters. As I pointed out to him, this has the effect of turning the Senate over to a minority right wing elite, which certainly was not the intent of the Framers. So far, you will be amazed to learn, I have not yet received a reply. In fact, I’ve not been able to find anyone who will explain just how this situation came to pass. I’d really like to know. Wouldn’t you?

It seems to me that if Al Franken is ahead when the canvassing board meets, he should be given the same seniority as the members of his class (where he would rank 97 of 100 and 95 out of 100 in two weeks). I have no problems with not seating Franken for a month or so if he receives the same seniority as the members of his class when he officially is declared the winner.

Two points i want to make. Coleman knows he's lost, but there is a very clear reason why he is pursuing this route: His party bosses have told him to stall and delay as long as possible- one less (D) in the senate just makes Obama's job of getting real change through that august body that much more difficult. Coleman is a team player and has never shown any inclination to do anything other than the bidding of his masters. Maybe if he plays his cards right, he can get tap into that endless supply of right-wing money to fund his legal defense fund.

second point: It seems obvious to me that Reid should seat Coleman and let the Republicans filibuster. What better way to send the message to the American people about how petty and obstructionist the Republicans are?

Lets send the Israeli Army in to oust Reid.

Incidentally, the stand up isn't certified as the senator from minnesota until the legal challenges are exhausted under minnesota law. This is just posturing and no one will be seated until the legal challenges are concluded. Total waste of time by reid and the dems. Just let it play out.

What's stopping the Rethugs from seating Kay Hagan? Or Chris Dodd? Or even Harry Reid? If they can simply refuse to seat duly elected senators such as Al Franken, why can't they just refuse to seat anybody?