As dems try to spin it, let’s remind them what another Senator says
Dems are continuing to try to spin the Johnson thing not being about the ability to do his job at Badlands Blue where one commenter tries to tell us that debate isn’t involved - the Senate is all about being a big good ol’ boys club:
I’m sorry but do you know anything about Senate duties? Do you really think the U.S. Capitol is a hallowed hall of back-and-forth debates? Because if so, it might be time to audit a government course at a local college. The Senate is about making friends, sitting on important committees and working both sides of the aisle to get things done. DEBATES ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ASPECT OF THIS.
Er, yeah. I’m sure that’s going to be used on Johnson’s next commercial. Let’s remind everyone what I was writing on a week or so ago, where I cited what another Democratic Senator had to say about where the ability to debate falls in the order of duties.
While others can take on the duties of constituent relations, as well as mundane office tasks, there are a few duties that only the person that the citizens of a state have elected to the US Senate can perform. As New Mexico Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman notes on his website:
Chief among my duties as a United States Senator is to introduce and debate legislation. It is through such efforts that I advance my legislative agenda on behalf of New Mexico.
US Senator Jeff Bingaman cites it as being “chief among his duties.” Anonymous Badlands Blue blog commenter says “no it’s not, it’s about making friends.”
I wonder which one we should believe?
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
I would like to make a suggestion to anybody trying to justify something with stretch explanations. Just stop. You sound foolish. Just be honest.
First what I love here is that you keep trotting out this example from one Senator. You keep spinning his comments to make it sound like he is actually debating on the floor of the Senate everyday. He isn’t.
Introducing legislation and being and effective legislator are the most important aspect of a senators job. Talking and discussing issues rules the day. Not all-out debate on the floor.
When was the last time you saw two Senators actually debate on the floor of the Senate? Not for a long time.
Tim has enabled billions in economic development, through the projects he secures money for. That is what effective legislators do.
The Republicans don’t have a credible candidate for Senate this year, so you are trying anything to win.
Gee outrage from Republicans, there is a shocker.
Get a real candidate then complain about not having debates.
You claim that debates are an invaluable part of the process. I happen to agree. However, debates can take many forms. How about for once the republicans agree to have a discussion about issues, middle class families, the economy that is currently in ruins, or the war that republicans all seemed so excited to get us involved in?
Wait, I forget. This isn’t actually about ideas. This is about bringing up terms, or words. “Massachusetts” “Jimmy Carter” and the like are intended only to scare voters with their one-word inferences which serve no educational, historic or accurate perspective on American history or politics. Now you have lowered yourself to using a man and his physical disability in order to gain ground in a race that appears lost for the GOP already.
Nowhere have I read that Senator Johnson won’t put forward his ideas, rebut Dykstra or be willing to listen to those that might disagree with him. Perhaps he won’t be speaking some of these words, but his voice can be heard through his writings, his supporters and his friends and family. What would you say to a deaf candidate who might not feel comfortable in a traditional debate format? Once again, this is the failure of the GOP in understanding that this world is made up of many different kinds of wonderful people and are instead exploiting something they incorrectly percieve to be a weakness. Thankfully, these awful tatics won’t work in this race.
“Talking and discussing issues rules the day.” Well said, Tyler. However, your boss just told us that he can’t do that. Oops. Looks like you two need to review your talking points.
I’m surprised Jarding hasn’t volunteered to debate instead. He’s the only one we hear from, anyway. Can he replace Tim on the ballot?
J. Marc -
Aside from the fact I can’t imagine what someone from Illinois cares about SD politics, does your boss (the state) know you’re surfing the net and engaging in partisan politics on the taxpayer’s dime?
“DEBATES ARE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ASPECT OF THIS” — are they joking? What exactly does C-Span broadcast all day? I happen to see Senators and Representatives DEBATING in committee and on the floor with others. Apparently this is not where the ‘real work’ is done.
The back rooms with cigars and brandy is where the real action takes place, according to this academic genius, who apparently slept through his high school government class and never took one in college. It is rather interesting that Badlands Blue is somehow admitting that policy is made behind closed doors, not in the public eye.