Why the Democrats FailRandy Shawbyline‚ Nov. 06‚ 2007If you are wondering how Republican Presidents advance their agendas despite a Democratic Congress, a case study is New York Senator Chuck Schumer's decision to support the confirmation of Michael B. Mukasey as attorney general. Although Schumer is chair of the committee that elects Senate Democrats and is part of the Senate Democratic leadership, he had no problem making a separate deal to support a nominee who refuses to acknowledge the undisputable fact that waterboarding is torture. The fact that most Democrats and the Senate leadership oppose Mukasey’s confirmation did not deter Schumer’s endorsement, which simply hands President Bush another political victory. Since the 1970’s, party discipline has been a given for Republican Congressional leaders, while Democrats all too often put their personal interests first. And while Democratic Presidents virtually never get support from Republican leaders on passing progressive measures, Republicans from Ronald Reagan to the widely unpopular George W. Bush secure enough Democratic leadership defections to carry the day. |