A reader writes:
You wrote:
… "[Obama's] major problems right now are a) an apoplectic and incoherent opposition that feels it is doing something by randomly harnessing populist frustration in a recession and playing the Rovian politics which is all they know and b) a useless bunch of disorganized morons and cowards who make up the Congressional Democrats"…
With all due respect, this totally ignores the fact that 100% of Senate Democrats support healthcare reform (all 59 of them), but because of the antiquated, undemocratic filibuster rule, which is being used as a daily weapon by Senate Republicans, we aren't able to pass it. As a Chief of Staff to a Democratic Senator, I can't tell you how dispiriting it is to read stuff like what you wrote–and which I read on other weblogs and hear from my friends…
I understand the anger at not passing healthcare reform–hell, I feel it, too–but folks' anger should be focused on 1) the tool that is being used to obstruct passage, and 2) those who are using the tool! There needs to be a movement to change this rule–and believe me, it won't be easy (it's my understanding it takes 67 votes to change Senate rules)–but you can play an important role in helping folks understand the need to do so. However, calling us a "useless bunch of disorganized morons and cowards" because of our inability to reach 60 votes–a very difficult goal to reach when you don't have a single Republican willing to support you–is neither fair nor accurate.
The Dish 