"...but the lesson from February is to ignore the Republicans." Can you please tell the cable news outlet pundits that?

You KNOW they'll be all over the right-wing talking points, morning to night! All that off-the-rail stuff that they think will help us be more informed but in reality, will only manage to make us more confused!

Well, if they want to get it through by January there's no way in hell they should even consider a bipartisan approach. I think they figured out last time that 3 GOP votes does not bipartisanship make.

The first thing the Dems should do is issue a report on the number of jobs created by the 40% in tax cuts added to the stimulus at the request of Republicans. They can then state that because there were NO jobs created by these tax cuts, they will not be looking for anymore ideas from the Republicans.

They should also state that after 8 years of failed economic policies by the REPUBLICANS, they will no longer look to them for anything. What the Dems should say is that we're not even allowed to speak to the Republicans because they're the reason we're in such a mess. They should also reset the requirements for cloture back to 51.

They'll try to make it bipartisan. No doubt in my mind they will. The typical Democratic response to Republican dirty tricks is to treat the Republicans like awesome pals and then say "We included Republicans in the discussion" instead of smashing their nuts and saying "We reached out to them and they didn't meet us half-way." The Democrats, save a few recent firebrands like Weiner and Grayson, have lost the ability to go in for the kill. They have no bloodlust. They're always happy to reach out and try to pet the rattlesnakes that the Republicans have become.

The problem is not just ignoring the Republicans, but also to shine a light on the conservadems that are hiding in the shadows making life easy for the Republicans and hell for the rest of us. They need to be called out as supporters of a failed agenda.

I've been watching the discussion about Mary Landrieu and I don't believe she's tacking to the right to curry favor for reelection, I believe she honestly does not want a public option because her political ideology favors the industry and not her constituents. I think the same applies to most conservadems. Their ideology swings far more rightward than leftward and they have no problem torpedoing the Democratic agenda. And in typical selfservative fashion, they are most interested in issues that affect them personally, as with Katrina in Landrieu's case, but have no sympathy for the plight of those one state over.

I always hate saying this, but we need a Tom Delay and Karl Rove (minus the indictments and subpoenas, please) to keep the caucus moving in the same direction. Big Tent is awesome and all that, but on major issues we need all Democrats to help hold it up and not just stand around under it.

Unfortunately, recent history is on your side, Nano.

This is why the 51 vote rule should be restored. The conservadems will be unable to obstruct the Democratic adgenda and, if Republicans don't like it, they'll have to win back the majority to change it back. It's actually sad that I'm even suggesting this because the Republicans managed to pass legislation including their much loved tax cuts without 60 votes or reconciliation.

Why are the Dems holding themselves to a higher standard? This would also be the best way to get it through the conservadems heads that if you're going to join this party you need to be with them on their basic core issues. Not the stupid purity test the GOP is floating but, a clear stand on the Democrats most valued desire for healthcare reform. If you can't get 60, pass it with 56 or 54. Anything over 50 is the true majority.

Bob, this is a battle the GOP has already lost. The reddest states in America are on board for stimulus. Alabama faces a billion-dollar hole in its education budget. Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona are all in budget crisis without further federal stimulus, and no one wants to be the governor of a failed state. The Governator is going to be first in line. Economists of every variety endorse the idea, including one named Gault, I shit you not.