If this is true, that Bernie Sanders is the ranking democrat on the Senate Budget committee and would become chair...
If this is true, that Bernie Sanders is the ranking democrat on the Senate Budget committee and would become chair if the Senate flips, why isn't that message begin screamed from the rooftops to his supporters? Tell them why it's powerful, and tell them they can make that difference they've been pouting about! Maybe they'll vote for some other democrats while they're at it - like, you know, for president or something.
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/10/14/paul-ryan-bernie-sanders-will-lead-budget-committee-democrats-win-senate/
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/10/14/paul-ryan-bernie-sanders-will-lead-budget-committee-democrats-win-senate
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/10/14/paul-ryan-bernie-sanders-will-lead-budget-committee-democrats-win-senate/
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/10/14/paul-ryan-bernie-sanders-will-lead-budget-committee-democrats-win-senate
Is flipping the Senate or the House even in the realm of plausibility? Like I know Trump's caused damage down ticket as well but I figured if there was a serious chance of this happening it'd get more play.
ReplyDeleteor maybe it has and it's just been drowned out for me in the steady stream of "christ what now" campaign news.
The Senate is definitely in play. The House is more of a long shot. 538 is tracking the Senate too.
ReplyDeleteI saw this yesterday. I was able to confirm that Sanders is currently the ranking minority member of the Senate budget committee. However, there is no guarantee that means he will become chairman in the event of a Dem controlled Senate. Still, I think politically it would be stupid not to give him the gavel should that come to pass.
ReplyDeleteI am and always have been loathe to throw labels like Dino and Rino around, but Sanders tempts me to make an exception. Sanders has been an actual Democrat for... just shy of a year, now? November last year? He caucused with Democrats in order to extract committee seats from them for his vote, but he wouldn't actually call himself one until he decided to run for President, and as soon as that was done he said he'd go back to the Senate as an independent. (He may have since reconsidered that last one, but you can see where his instinct is.)
ReplyDeleteAside from that, his budget plans were themselves ludicrous, as analyzed by the Tax Policy Center, which isn't exactly a hotbed of conservative activism. Sanders is not the Budget Guy We Need.
I mostly agree with John Novak , but I think from a political standpoint the only other option is to make Sanders the Majority Leader. That might actually be a better fit. But I suspect Schumer (and Durbin) might have some words about that.
ReplyDeleteFeel the POWER of the Populist Argument....
ReplyDeleteSince tax bills have to start in the House anyway, I don't think the Senate Budget Committee would be able to get much traction with their policy ideas anyway. Unless I (and most others) am wrong and the House doesn't stay Republican.
ReplyDeleteRealistically, I can't see anything happening with the House. Maaaaybe the Senate with the current kerfuffles. I'm just wondering if this is even true (which you guys have kinda answered) because, hey, if you need those Sanders voters, maybe this would get them to the polls? I mean, maybe not. I'm definitely not politically saavy. If it's not likely he'd become chair you don't want to promise it, either, because that would definitely bite you.
ReplyDelete