The local NBC affiliate has twice now (at 10pm last night and just a few minutes ago) discussed the Franken outcome in terms of Democrats reaching 60 votes, "the number needed to block a Republican filibuster."
I can't be the only Democrat who cringes when I hear that phrase. In truth 60 votes gets Democrats (theoretically) enough votes to end GOP filibusters. The phrase "block" denotes, to me at least, that Democrats are obstructing the GOP. In reality it's exactly the opposite of course, it's the GOP who is engaging in unprecedented obstructionism (with the occasional assist from the Mary Landrieu's of the world) and it pains me to hear media discussing the filibuster issue while using such a GOP friendly frame.
No comments:
Post a Comment