Harry Krause wrote:
On 11/9/2006 6:30 AM, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
I was catching up on the election news this morning and everybody is
saying 51 Dems, 49 Repubs.

That's not right.

It's actually 49 Dems, 49 Repubs and 2 Independant.

So how does the Constitution or Senate rules, handle that?



The Indies can caucus or organize with whichever party they choose.
Sanders and Lieberman have already indicated they will caucus with the
Dems. That gives the Dems control of the Senate and gives Cheney more
time to go out hunting with his friends.

The gang of two. Will the two independents get their choice of chairmans
seats on the committees to keep them caucusing with the Democrats. It
appears that the Independents are in charge of the Senate and not the
Democrats.

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Thu, 09 Nov 2006 06:59:16 -0500, Bert Robbins
wrote:

Harry Krause wrote:
On 11/9/2006 6:30 AM, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
I was catching up on the election news this morning and everybody is
saying 51 Dems, 49 Repubs.

That's not right.

It's actually 49 Dems, 49 Repubs and 2 Independant.

So how does the Constitution or Senate rules, handle that?

The Indies can caucus or organize with whichever party they choose.
Sanders and Lieberman have already indicated they will caucus with the
Dems. That gives the Dems control of the Senate and gives Cheney more
time to go out hunting with his friends.

The gang of two. Will the two independents get their choice of chairmans
seats on the committees to keep them caucusing with the Democrats. It
appears that the Independents are in charge of the Senate and not the
Democrats.

You make an interesting point. Leiberman owes Republicans and
Independents in CT big time and from some of the discussions I've had
with the local state reps and such, it's being noticed.

He could end up being a bigger power broker than the Majority Leader
if he wishes. Jeffords will always vote with the Dems, so that makes
Leiberman a very important vote.

Funny thing Karma. :)


According tot his article, the Rep. party might not be in that bad of
shape

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...110900308.html

"Bert Robbins" wrote in message
news
Harry Krause wrote:
On 11/9/2006 6:30 AM, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
I was catching up on the election news this morning and everybody is
saying 51 Dems, 49 Repubs.

That's not right.

It's actually 49 Dems, 49 Repubs and 2 Independant.

So how does the Constitution or Senate rules, handle that?



The Indies can caucus or organize with whichever party they choose.
Sanders and Lieberman have already indicated they will caucus with the
Dems. That gives the Dems control of the Senate and gives Cheney more
time to go out hunting with his friends.

The gang of two. Will the two independents get their choice of chairmans
seats on the committees to keep them caucusing with the Democrats. It
appears that the Independents are in charge of the Senate and not the
Democrats.


Since Lieberman is not an independent, he will get whatever he got before.

The gang of two. Will the two independents get their choice of chairmans
seats on the committees to keep them caucusing with the Democrats. It
appears that the Independents are in charge of the Senate and not the
Democrats.


That's stupid. They are still only two votes.


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
You make an interesting point. Leiberman owes Republicans and
Independents in CT big time and from some of the discussions I've had
with the local state reps and such, it's being noticed.


Oh yes, Senator Lieberman didn't get where he is by being
stupid. OTOH I think it's funny that the same people who
were demonizing him back in 2000 are now lining up to kiss
his behind.

He could end up being a bigger power broker than the Majority Leader
if he wishes. Jeffords will always vote with the Dems, so that makes
Leiberman a very important vote.

Funny thing Karma. :)

I dunno if Jeffords will always vote with the Dems.

BTW did anybody mention that the Vice President, who acts as
the chairman of the Senate, casts a tie-breaking vote when
the chamber is deadlocked?

DSK

"DSK" wrote in message
...
The gang of two. Will the two independents get their choice of chairmans
seats on the committees to keep them caucusing with the Democrats. It
appears that the Independents are in charge of the Senate and not the
Democrats.


That's stupid. They are still only two votes.

Actually, they're more than that. They've both stated that they'll caucus
with the Democrats...effectively making them Democrats and giving control of
the Senate to the Democratic Party. But should one of them feel slighted
enough to change party allegiance (a la Jim Jeffords), the balance of power
and Senate leadership could change overnight.

This slim margin can actually be good for America. The Democratic party
leadership will not be able to strong-arm any of their constituents. They
can all vote their conscience.