Research Briefing

What They Are Saying About Reid’s Decision To Promote Seat-Saving Politics Instead Of Good Policy As He Continues To Push Partisan Wall Street Bailout Bill

FOR SECOND TIME, REID GETS EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS: MORE POLITICAL THEATER …

For Second Time In As Many Days, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's Attempt To Push So-Called "Wall Street Reform" Bill Fails. (S. 3127, Roll Call Vote #126, Reconsideration Of Cloture Vote On The Motion To Proceed, Rejected 57-41 (60 Votes Needed), R: 0-39, D: 55-2, I: 2-0, 4/27/10)

• With Even More Votes To Come. “Democrats plan another vote on Wednesday if they fall short in Tuesday's vote, an aide said.” (“Senate To Hold Afternoon Vote On Bank Reform,” Reuters, 4/27/10)

The Los Angeles Times: “Monday’s Vote Was Largely Political Theater.”(Janet Hook, “GOP Senators Block Debate On Finance Bill,” The Los Angeles Times, 4/27/10)

Politico Says Dems “Appeared Content In Losing” Yesterday’s Vote. “But for one day, Senate Democratic leaders appeared content in losing the vote. The strategy was viewed as win-win for Democrats: Call a vote, hope that at least one Republican crosses over to support the motion, attack Republicans as shills of Wall Street when they don’t and return to negotiations immediately afterward.” (Carrie Budoff Brown and Meredith Shiner, “Wall Street Reform Stalls In Senate,” Politico, 4/26/10)

Politico: “Democrats Lost The Financial Reform Vote Monday Evening – Which Is Exactly What Their Political Operatives Wanted … And Finally, It Allows The Majority Party To String Out Debate For A Few More Days On A Bill…” (Martin Kaddy II, “Winning While Losing,” Politico’s “The Huddle,” 4/27/10)

Roll Call: “Senate Democrats Got Exactly What They Wanted Monday Night: A Concrete Way To Try To Tar Republicans ...” (Emily Pierce and Jessica Brady, “Senate Democrats Lose Reform Vote But Smell Victory,” Roll Call, 4/27/10)

• Roll Call Says Dems Are Hoping For “Good Floor Fight” Instead Of Good Legislation. “At press time, Democrats were hatching plans to vote on the measure again Tuesday and possibly Wednesday and Thursday as well. Additionally, freshman Democrats who have been itching for a good floor fight were pushing leadership to keep the Senate in session all night tonight if Republicans continue to prevent the measure from coming to the floor.” (Emily Pierce and Jessica Brady, “Senate Democrats Lose Reform Vote But Smell Victory,” Roll Call, 4/27/10)

“SHORT-CIRCUITING” BIPARTISAN TALKS IN ORDER TO CREATE PARTISAN POLITICAL WEAPONS

The Washington Post Says “Even As Reid Pledged To Hold Vote After Vote, Some Democrats Warned Privately That The Strategy Could Backfire If He Appears To Be Short-Circuiting Negotiations.” (Brady Dennis and Shailagh Murray, “Talks Continue As GOP Senators Block Advance Of Financial Overhaul Bill,” The Washington Post, 4/27/10)

Even Though Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Says Republican Concerns About Obama-Dodd Bill “Are Legitimate” And That “Parts” Of The Bill “Need To Be Tightened.” “Sen. Mark Warner, the Virginia Democrat who has been closely involved in negotiations, said that concerns being raised by republicans about potential bailouts of large financial institutions are legitimate … ‘There are parts that need to be tightened,’ Warner said, referring to the bill in the same manner as Sen. Richard Shelby, Alabama Republican and ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee.” (Jon Ward, “Obama Offers Simple Narrative Of GOP Obstruction, But Key Lawmakers Tell Another Story,” The Daily Caller, 4/27/10)

But Roll Call Says Dems More Interested In Creating Campaign Ads Instead Of Passing Bipartisan Financial Regulation Bill. “Despite their one defection, Democrats seemed to be thinking about all the campaign ads they could run in November against Republicans, and they appeared unconcerned about whether a bipartisan financial regulatory reform measure will ever materialize. Meanwhile, Republicans continued to say they want to support financial reform and believe a compromise is still possible.” (Emily Pierce and Jessica Brady, “Senate Democrats Lose Reform Vote But Smell Victory,” Roll Call, 4/27/10)

Politico: “The Staged Vote On Financial Reform – Which Democrats Knew Would Fail – Has Given Them Campaign Ads Already.” (Martin Kaddy II, “Winning While Losing,” Politico’s “The Huddle,” 4/27/10)

The New York Times Says Dems Will Keep Bill On The Floor, Ignoring The Rest Of The Legislative Agenda, In Order To “Turn The Tide Of Anti-Incumbent Sentiment.” “Sensing political momentum… [D]emocratic leaders said they would keep the regulatory bill on the floor — and delay the rest of their busy legislative agenda — to ratchet up the pressure on the Republicans. Democrats said they believed the fight over financial regulation… [c]ould help turn the tide of anti-incumbent sentiment that has them bracing for substantial losses in November.” (David M. Herszenhorn and Edward Wyatt, “G.O.P. Blocks Debate On Financial Overhaul Bill,” The New York Times, 4/26/10)

AND REID HOPES TO REPEAT PARTISAN POLITICAL TACTICS FOR DEBATE ON IMMIGRATION

The Los Angeles Times: “Sweeping Proposals On Immigration … Are Waiting In The Wings, And Democrats Are Looking For Ways To Press Those Issues — If Only To Inspire Their Grass-Roots Supporters For The Midterm Campaign.” (Janet Hook, “GOP Senators Block Debate On Finance Bill,” Los Angeles Times, 4/27/10)

CBS News: “Senate Majority Leader Reid, Who Is Facing A Tough Reelection Battle, Gets A Chance To Stand With His State’s Sizable Latino Population, Which He Hopes Will Help Him Squeak Through To Another Term.” (Brian Montopoli, Immigration Vs. Climate Bill: Democrats Choose Politics Over Policy, CBSNews.com, 4/26/10)

• CBS News Says Reid Is Pushing Immigration To Help His Reelection, Even Though It is Likely Not To Pass.  “The calculation facing Reid was this: He could force his fellow senators to make a difficult vote on a climate bill and then deal with a tough fight to get a compromise bill to the president, a battle that would not be unlike the painful process to get a health care bill passed. Or he could push an immigration proposal that will likely not pass but which will help his party politically and may keep him from losing his seat.” (Brian Montopoli, Immigration Vs. Climate Bill: Democrats Choose Politics Over Policy, CBSNews.com, 4/26/10)

Reuters: “With Democrats Facing Big Potential Losses In November, An Immigration Bill That Includes A Path To Citizenship For Many Of The Country’s 11 Million Illegal Immigrants Could Help Cement Strong Hispanic Support In Key Senate Races In Colorado, California And Reid’s Nevada.” (John Whitesides, “U.S. Immigration Fight Puts Both Parties At Risk,” Reuters, 4/26/10)

The Boston Globe: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Has Signaled That He Might Want To Take Up Immigration Ahead Of A Climate-Change Bill. Reid May Be Playing Politics, Too: Support From Hispanic Voters In Nevada Could Help Him Win A Tough Reelection Fight.” (Editorial, Federal Inertia On Immigration Fuels Arizona’s Harsh Law,” The Boston Globe, 4/27/10)

The Associated Press Says Immigration Bill Could Help Reid, And Other Democrats In Close Races. “Hispanics voted heavily Democratic in 2008, and they’ve been disappointed with President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats for not following up on campaign promises to reform immigration laws. Reid is up for re-election this year and trailing in polls in Nevada, where Latinos are an important constituency. With Democrats facing a tough political climate in the midterm elections, energized Hispanic voters could make a difference in several states.” (Matthew Daly, Climate Bill Placed On Hold Over Senate Dispute, The Associated Press, 4/25/10)