Democrats picked up a net of 3 seats in the Senate, giving them a total of 56 (if we count the two independents) -- only 4 short of the 60 filibuster-proof number. On some issues, anyway, it will be a lot easier to get those 4 votes to advance legislative debate than it was to get the 8 needed currently.
Now maybe Obama can get some judges appointed. And have a much easier time when he has the opportunity to fill a seat on the Supreme Court.
The Republicans retained control of the House, and the margin is not yet settled. But I'm thinking it will be (or should be, at least) a chastened group of Republicans whose divisive tactics have been repudiated overall by the voter.
And the party leaders know that, if they are to rebuild their party and have any future, they have to become more cooperative for the good of the country.
Ralph
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Some very significant, liberal and progressive voices added to the House. Alan Grayson from Florida won a return after being defeated two years ago. And Tammye Duckworth from Illinois.
ReplyDeleteWashington County (my home county) went for Obama and their Congressman John Barrow was re-elected. This makes him the only white Democrat from the South in Congress now. The other Southerners are all either black or Republicans.
Apparently the count of senate seats I was going by was inaccurate. The final count seems to be 55 Democrats (including the 2 Independents) and 45 Republicans.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the mixup had to do with the Independents and when they added them in.