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Leverage, Real And Imagined
Lawyers, Guns and Money — With respect to the question of whether the stimulus can get 60 votes, Drum outlines what the Democratic leadership should be thinking: If Republicans really did put up a united front and filibuster the legislation, the Democratic leadership would just turn around and consider the bill under budget reconciliation rules, which require only a majority vote to pass. Sure, they've already said they'd prefer not to do that, but if they have to they will. And since the bill is all about short-term spending, it would obviously qualify under reconciliation ...

Where we are now
Political Animal — ... impressive national victory in November, Democrats increased their Senate majority to 58 (59, with Minnesota), and Democrats now enjoy a 77-seat majority in the House. Despite all of this, the strength of the U.S. economy is largely dependent right now on the arbitrary whims of these three center-right Republicans. Senate Majority Leader Reid said a vote on the package tonight is still a possibility. Stay tuned. Post Script : I'm a little fuzzy on my Senate procedures, but Kevin Drum noted the other day that if Senate Republicans balk at a rescue plan and filibuster the ...