1:55 EST: President Obama delivers a statement
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168 filibusters of nominees in our history. HALF of them have occurred during Obama years! http://t.co/xbQfsftLGm
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Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 21, 2025Filibusters on Exec. Nominees: Bush II: 7. Pres. Obama: 27. But it's nothing to do with being a Black POTUS. Riiight? http://t.co/qZ3YfWqdpM
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Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) November 21, 2025****
Enough is enough. Let's break the gridlock. http://t.co/B0pdR0EXLk
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Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 21, 2025168 filibusters of nominees. Other POTUS's: 86. Under Pres. Obama: 82. But it has nothing to do with race. Riiight? http://t.co/QBLLmxg1ef
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Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) November 21, 2025
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I like how Reid's office clearly produced graphics for social media before the rules change occurred. He wasn't bluffing at all.
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Jordan Ashby (@JM_Ashby) November 21, 2025New rule: Nominees should get up-or-down votes subject to a majority threshold. http://t.co/Mp6I3SL0wC
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Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 21, 2025****
Nuclear Option passed 52 - 48. Filibuster removed for executive and judicial nominees (except SCOTUS). Simple majority vote now required.
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Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) November 21, 2025harry reid, today i.imgur.com/8bl5waF.gif
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darthpotatogiving™ (@darth) November 21, 2025****
Shorter GOP: How dare Democrats do something we would've done without batting an eyelash? Tyranny!
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Liberal Librarian (@Lib_Librarian) November 21, 2025Pat Leahy announces the final roll call: The Senate voted 52-48 to kill the filibuster on nominees.
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(@Taniel) November 21, 2025****
GOP: "We have filibustered Obama more than any other President but that doesn't mean we're racist. He's only half-black; half don't count."
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Jerry D. Elmore (@Blu3RSX) November 21, 2025The #Senate did not agree to McConnell motion to appeal. Ruling of the chair sustained 52-48.
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Senate D Floor Watch (@DSenFloor) November 21, 2025***
I’m old enough to remember when Sen. McConnell insisted on up-or-down votes for judicial confirmations. vine.co/v/hFX9FUmaV0Q
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Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 21, 2025****
UP NEXT:
2:0: President Obama Speaks at the White House Champions of Change: ConnectEd
White House.gov
Way to go Harry!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats donna dem!
Loved that scene and Alan Rickman was great as the Sheriff.
Finally!!! Go Harry and Senate Dems.
McConnell’s appeal fails
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) appeal of the nuclear option vote has failed. Senators voted 52-48 to sustain the original vote, which effectively passed by the same count.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/liveblog/live-updates-the-filibuster-debate/#8ad59adf-b7f7-4daf-af3b-c9d08155e724
Congrats on 1st Donna!
Bob - Just peeking in for a minute before I head out - I like to think your tweets to Harry to “give ’em hell” have worked! You must be feeling mighty good today!
Later.
Thank you Jacqueline. Would like to think he saw one of them and it helped but I’m realistic enough to know that that is unlikely. What does matter is that each of us try, to whatever extent we can, to contribute.
#FORWARD
Bobfr, I just want to say thank you and I’m so happy to be on TEAM Bobfr! You stayed the course and we all heard you.
YES.WE.CAN!
Thank you Gail!! :)
HAHAHAHA, the Senate just slapped whiney McConnell down one more time!!
I am loving the way Majority Leader Harry Reid served up the filibuster chart and the McConnell ‘up or down vote’ vine to put things into perspective before the action started. It is going to be fascinating to watch the GOP and the MEDIA have a cow over this development considering how beautifully Harry laid the facts on the table.
Precisely, Lh!!! It is now clear that Senator Reid, other members of the Senate Leadership and President Obama have been planning this for sometime. They did good for America today.
I do regret that Senator Levin has remained fixated to a notion of the Senate that was thoroughly rendered impossible by the actions of the GOP since 2009.
I agree Bobfr, Senator Levin is a real disappointment. Before I heard the names of the three Democrats who voted nay, I knew that Levin AND Manchin were in there. Not surpassed about Pryor. He has been a thorn in PBO’s side on countless occasions (Just like Blanche Lincoln used to be). But I have to say I am surprised that Mary Landrieu was not on the nay list. She runs for the hills every time the GOP says boo.
‘DONE AND DUSTED’
Thank you Majority Leader Harry Reid for stopping the unprecedented filibuster obstruction by the Republican Party.
President Obama has an obligation to fill judicial vacancies. It’s his job. But senate Republicans have repeatedly filibustered and blocked his judicial and cabinet nominations for no good reason. They are essentially trying to nullify the results of the 2008 and 2012 elections and prevent President Obama from appointing highly qualified candidates. The theory being if they can’t win elections on the merits of their own ideas they won’t allow President Obama to implement his policies and agenda validated by winning two terms. Obviously, this is unprecedented and un-constitutional. Advise and consent has turned into “NO”. Today Majority Leader Harry Reid said ‘NO’ and brought some sanity and decorum back to the senate chamber. Nicely done Harry.
Donna, Congrats on your Gold medal ;)
This a BFD.
Finally. Signed. Sealed and Delivered.
I am Loving it. Thank you, Dems. It is well over due.
This! I am stoked!
Guns and Roses: Sweet Child of Mine is swimming beautifully in my head. Yeah :!:
Now voting up or down on Judge Millett.
F i l i b u s t e r was filibusted 11-21-13.
It’s been a Looooooooooooooooooooooog Time Coming.
I am just giddy ;)
Deeply regret the hassle that Chips is having to experience to ensure my comments appear. Would have very much enjoyed being able to be more ‘conversational’ with all of you during this truly historic moment. Senator Reid has defended our Constitution and our Government from unprecedented assault. For that, we all must be grateful.
#FORWARD Together
MITCHELL MC CONNELL CALLS FOR AN UP OR DOWN VOTE
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UP OR DOWN VOTE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO A PRESIDENT’S JUDICIAL NOMINEES. ALL WE’RE LOOKING FOR IS AN UP OR DOWN VOTE.
First nominee Judge Millett approved…. next….
It’s a beautiful thing to watch. Hope Senator Reid schedules round the clock votes to clear all the Executive and Judicial Nominees that have been waiting - some for more than 2 years!!!!
Amen, Bobfr. And to you, Bobfr, thank you for your appropriate letter writing, and all of your tweets on all of these very important issues. I so appreciate your faithfulness. Thank you, Bobfr. HZ
Thanks a gazilllllllion UT!!!!!!
Bringing this over:
Infuriating: the spam filter is playing up again and is sending lots of lovely people, including Bob, straight to friggin’ spam!
Same thing happened Marilyn recently. If it’s happening you could you contact the spam people here:
http://akismet.com/contact/
Marilyn did that and they fixed the problem almost straight away, looks like a silly giitch on their end that marks particular WP commenters as spam.
Sorry about this! Will keep freeing people when I find them!
First time today for me.
It’s gone bonkers!
Today, the Senate Chambe was reborn.
Today, the senate chamber Lives.
Today, the senate chamber said Yes to Democracy.
Today, the senate chamber said Yes To Governing and No to Hostage taking by the TBGOPer haters in their destructive and hateful schemes.
Long Live the US Senate ;)
Well said, Nena!!!!!!!!
You are my inspiration, Doc. You simple make it easier on my anxiety level.
Am glad to be of help, Nena. Thank you!
Love it. Thanks, Nena!
By now people ought to be tired of the Republicans obstruction. It has been going on for 41/2 years, every since this President have been in office and we are dam tired of it. I shall send Senator Reid a email and thank it.
Thank you UT for the new thread including all the pertinent graphic and tweets.
This has been a really great day. Lots to be happy about with this significant change. President Obama will now get to fill his administration and courts with his choices exactly as he is supposed to do.
You’re welcome, Vicki.
All We are saying, Give POTUS Nominees an Up or Down Vote.
Thank You all., the 52 senators who said 237 yrs was more than enough obstructionism by McConnell and his dittoheads.
CRY ME A RIVER MITCH. LET THE CROCODILE TEARS FLOW.
Dems execute ‘nuclear option’
By Steve Benen
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But it was the decision from Senate Republicans to create a blockade on all D.C. Circuit nominees that ultimately forced Democrats’ hands. For the first time in American history, a Senate minority said it would block every nominee for a federal bench, regardless of the individual’s qualifications, because they disapprove of the nation’s choice to serve as president of the United States. It wasn’t until this week that nuclear-option skeptics in the Democratic caucus decided they’d seen enough.
Republicans are accusing Democrats of having done something extraordinary, but by any fair measure, Republicans did this to themselves.
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http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/dems-execute-nuclear-option
Dancing In the Streets. Wow. Thank you UT. This Awesome.
My heart is bumping so fast. I can hear it…..almost.
Senator Harkin making a very important speech on the filibuster and Senator Reid’s courage and leadership. No one has fought harder to reform the filibuster than Senator Harkin.
Yes, he’s giving the history FACTS….something that the media has avoided.
Hawkins Is laying it Out as simple as ABC.
I just returned and got the news. I’ve been dancing so hard, now I’m too tired to say much more than …Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!
Sen. Harry Reid is going HAM like a mother freaking BOSS!
Sweet, perfectly documented for the lazy, lame, right leaning wicked 4th estate.
The media is in full meltdown mode…concern trolling, lamenting, pissy, oh dear….
I will be Dana Bash is having a heartache today.
I say…..Great News.
No surprise that CNN is joined at the tonsils with the GOP. This kind of concern trolling is right out of the GOP playbook. The media water carrying for the GOP is going to be a sight to see in the face of such overwhelming justification for this move. I can just imagine the jackals will be apoplectic about this today. I am going to count the number of times the phrase ‘poisoning the well’ is uttered at the press briefing today.
Memo To GOP Senators: This is what a well executed left hook feels like. I’ll explain it further when you wake up.
Nice!!!!
Time to “pack the courts”.
And plouffe agrees with me.
Am glad that Senator Harkin is now demanding that filibuster of legislation, the ability of a single Senator to place a hold on any piece of legislation, should also be reformed. He’s correct and we will now push for that change!!
Latinos are organized and unrelenting, fighting for immigration reform.
The Dem assholes are Manchin, Pryor, and Levin. No surprise there.
Levin surprised me. You saw it coming from him Bill?
Senator Levin has been adamantly against changing the filibuster rules but the problem is that his notion of the Senate became an abstraction of a reality that no longer exists. What the GOP has done during the past 4+ years has necessitated the change effected today. Would have been nice if GOP Senators had honored their word. They haven’t.
Sen Harkin was factually brilliant.
Great job, sir.
CNN is covering Reids news conference.
Andrea Mitchell has Heilmann and Hackprin on talking about Clinton and Obama and that PBO quick a golf game with Clinton.
Awwwww—-CNN haz a sad. This is so unfair to the nice Republicans, and it’s going to make them really mad and make them uncooperative!!!
Agree—CNN is now utterly useless.
OT, but fuck the war on Christmas. How about the War on Thanksgiving?!
If only consumers understood how much power they have, they wouldn’t dawn on these stores doorsteps. Trust that the so-called discounts will only get deeper if no one shows up. They’re not going to throw the merchandise away.
Awesome. Thanks ut for the heads-up.
Kaboom :!:
Love it HF2 ;)
Applauding loudly, hf!!! :)
Grassley is a 80 plus old wicked lying idiot.
Hot Damn!! All hell breakin loose. I’m out building a porch before winter actually gets here & Harry Reid is kicking repub rears all over the Senate. YIPPEE :) Well done Senator. Thank YOU.
But, but but..
That Pictotial is Magnificant.
Beyong GQ capabilities.
Just too Darn Perfect, in my 4-eyes ;)
Ummm—-I think the point is that it is not.
It’s heifer dust dotster3. As soon as he steps out of the WH you hear the clicks and see the flashes of cameras. What to they want, access to his morning toilet routine? Sheesh, parasites!
PBO on the air now!
I’m watching! :)
He does wonders for stabilizing my b.p., Hopefruit!
More media concern trolling and attempts to self-soothe their epic meltdowns…
Deputy Press Secretary Josh ‘The Voice’ Earnest is at the podium…….
Why do they call him “The Voice?” :)
HF, I have to confess that here on TOD I started calling the adorable Josh Earnest “The Voice” because I love his voice narrating ‘West Wing Week’.
LOL! Okay — good to know :) :)
Hi Chips,
Have completed another form from the akisment folk re: comments being shunted to spam, automatically. Why this suddenly happened today and has never happened before is quite the mystery!! Sorry that it’s causing you extra work.
Thank you,
Bob
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/reid-senate-goper-approached-me-with-a-deal-on-filibuster
“Last night I got a call from one of my Republican friends saying, Harry, we’ve got a deal for you,” he said at a Capitol Hill press conference. “I’m anxious to listen. What is this — we’ll give you one of the D.C. Circuit [Court nominee], that way it will be 5-4.”
“I just can’t imagine — and one of my friends, he’s a friend, anyway, we’ve been in the House together, Senate together, a long type, what would you do? What would you do, I said?” he added. “And he, just the two of us, he didn’t want to, he said I’m not answering that question.”
“Everyone knows that what has gone on is absolutely unfair and wrong and I’m glad we changed it. It’s a day of freshness for this great country of ours,” he said.
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Glad that Sen Reid said No.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/grassley-filibuster-supreme-court-nominees
“The silver lining is that there will come a day when roles are reversed. When that happens, our side will likely nominate and confirm lower court and Supreme Court nominees with 51 votes,” Grassley said, “regardless of whether the Democrats actually buy into this fanciful notion that they can demolish the filibuster on lower court nominees and still preserve it for Supreme Court.”
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Grassley, We The People Kenew the TBGOPers play by now.
The best indicators of future behavior is past behavior. The GOP legislators have used unprecedented obstruction against PBO up to this decision. Why would anyone think when the GOP were in control that they would suddenly change their behavior especially if the Dems just kept taking it? Based on the GOPs previous behavior they would enact the nuclear option on day one obstruction against them or not.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/norm-ornstein-republicans-forced-reid-s-hand-on-the-nuclear-option
“McConnell’s threat, it seems to me, makes clear the strategy: let Dems take the first step, and we will then bear no blame when we entirely blow up the Senate’s rules after we take all the reins of power,” he said. “That other Republicans like Corker, McCain, Alexander, Murkowski and so on, went along, shows how much the radicals and anti-institutionalists now dominate the Republican Party. Which is sad indeed.”
Don’t let the media play their usual manipulative games….
McBitter said that Harry Reid just ” Ruined the Bipartisonship in the Senate ”
LMAO !
And it’s been so loverly!
That is hilarious and epitomizes why Majority Leader Harry Reid had to take this action today to stop the filibuster abuse. We are dealing with vindictive children in the Republican Party. They are not fit to govern. McCain is just doing what he and he deranged and unhinged colleagues are good at - VICTIMIZATION AND POUTING.
My lunch just burst through my nose on this one! How do they possibly keep a straight face when this crap leaves their mouths?
Well, here comes Brianna Kieler with the WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS A SENATOR hypocrisy question about the nuclear option. That’s the best she could come up with. Unbelievable. As if conditions were identical in 2005 and now in 2013.
The media lives in the past…..they always need a comparison to support their agenda..
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fec-denies-tea-party-group-contribution-disclosure-exemption
The Federal Election Commission voted Thursday to deny the Tea Party Leadership Fund an exemption from disclosing its donors, Politico reported.
Courts have allowed the FEC to make exemptions for certain party candidates and political groups if donors might be harassed or punished as a result of disclosures.
No wonder the media has a collective meltdown with the GOP. Good news for PBO’s second-term agenda (which is the people’s agenda) is bad news for the corporate media.
You should tweet your comment- perfectly sums it up!
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/reid-if-mcconnell-wants-to-ends-the-filibuster-let-him-do-it
“There is not a doubt in my mind that if the majority breaks the rules of the Senate to change the rules of the Senate with regard to nominations, the next majority will do it for everything. … I wouldn’t be able to argue, a year and a half from now if I were the majority leader, to my colleagues that we shouldn’t enact our legislative agenda with a simple 51 votes, having seen what the previous majority just did. I mean there would be no rational basis for that.”
Reid was asked if he was worried about a future GOP majority ending the filibuster for legislation or Supreme Court nominees, as Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) threatened on Thursday.
“Let them do it,” Reid said. “Why in the world would we care?”
Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest is doing a fabulous job of explaining the White House TRANSPARENCY policies and objectives to the jackals. The jackals are annoyed that they are not getting enough access to President Obama. They just want more time to find negative stories that’s all. Bottom line, they don’t like those amazing pictures that Pete Souza takes.
Ha, that last tweet: “I’m old enough to remember. . .” :lol: I’m not mad at you, Harry “Honey Badger” Reid!
IT’S ABOUT TIME!
Took the words right out of my mouth PJ. Better late than never.
YES! Oh Happy Day!
She’s Got Style. People copy who they admire. ;)
Oh please, these whiny arse so called reporters are still complaining about access. Clearly the Pete Souza photos are driving the jackals crazy. They are such babies.
It truly shows how silly, useless and totally obsessive these fools have become. I say, please proceed. Their actions only states what Prince Rogers Nelson’s sang in a song……They need to act their ages, Not their shoe sizes.
aww…Coward Fineman is sad……he thinks what Reid did is wrong….seems like Ari Melber agrees.
And if Majority Leader Reid had just continued to let the Republicans abuse the filibuster I wonder what Howard “My Sources On The Hill Tell Me” Fineman would have said then.
POST HOUSE AND SENATE VOTES ON THE FRONT PAGES OF
========NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY============
I would love it the Democrats would arrange to have significant House and Senate votes posted on the front pages of newspapers across the country. The American people should know exactly how members of congress are voting. This has been a problem for the last five years. The Republicans have not paid a price for their obstruction and the American people have been clueless about the extent of their obstruction.
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New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/11/21/140-characters-of-everything/
Chips, I think I’m in jail.
I was out most of the day so I missed a lot of the coverage re Sen. Reid pulling the trigger. Yea!! I have a question. Now that a nominee can be brought to the floor to get an up or down vote, will there still need to be 60 votes to approve the nominee or can the nominee be approved with 51 votes.
51 votes!
I met this Iranian girl from college that I really like, the issue is I know almost nothing about her culture and she does identify as Muslim, although she doesn’t wear a scarf on her head. She is extremely beautiful and I doubt that she actually likes me. I am afraid of offending her in some way…. :(
Anyway love the fact that the filibuster is gone!