Moderates Finally Show Some SPINE

All I can say is "it's about time, dammit!".

For too long, we have suffered under the weight of ideology and extremist positions. From both sides. And this Stimulus package has been the embodiment of partisan positioning on both sides.

The problem, of course, is that neither side sees their actions as contributing to the problem. Nancy Pelosi sees her actions to shut out Republicans in the deliberations of the bill as "the way it works" in the House. The idea that Education spending could be cut from this bill (even though many Republicans even concede that they would vote for an increase in Education spending in a future bill, just not here for a specific stimulus) seems to have roiled Pelosi. I understand that someone needs to champion these causes, and she has the platform to do just that.

But why not use the platform to champion such education spending in a separate bill, to be judged on its own merits? What, Education can't be fit into the Congressional docket for 2009? Seriously? Doesn't she create the legislative schedule, after all?

It's equally bad on the Right. Frustrated, and out of power, Republicans have simply become what they say they didn't want to be. The Party of "NO". John McCain's actions here recently have just been so troubling. To excoriate Centrist Senators like Collins and Specter for their willingness to make a deal just shows what a small, bitter man he has become. The "Maverick" has shown himself to be simply a Partisan hack, who has been exposed as an opportunist, rabble-rouser, "part of the problem" player, and one who no longer deserves a seat at the leaders table. And what a shame too. To think this could have been a man to contribute to the solution. Ditto for Lindsey Graham. To say that Obama has been "AWOL" on this discussion, is to ignore the facts. Obama and his team have spent their entire Presidency, and transition phase, doing nothing BUT working on this plan. Reaching out to Republicans the whole way. Does Graham think he has true credibility to make such a statement at the same time that Obama is MEETING with Senators like Susan Collins-Republican of Maine? It looks terrible, but then again, Graham has spent a career taking unprincipled stands (remember his pushing for impeachment of Bill Clinton, but pardoning of Scooter Libby for the exact same offense?).

But just as I was giving up hope, a ray of sunshine came through the clouds, and has given me something to cling to. At work on Thursday, I saw a familiar face on TV. It was Ben Nelson. This guy has a voting record that some Republicans wish they had. I was just waiting for him to say something bad about the bill. When he said he was working with Susan Collins and Arlen Specter on an amendment to pass the bill, I knew there was a chance. I was skeptical, but curiously interested. Sure enough, a couple of days later, here we sit, with a tentative agreement. And a delighted Pundit.

Admittedly, I am STILL skeptical. The bill hasn't passed YET. But I do have hope. Collins, Nelson, Olympia Snowe (R-ME), George Voinovich (R-OH), Mel Martinez (R-FL), and a few others hold the key to success on this bill. Dems such as Kent Conrad (ND), Blanche Lincoln (AR), Evan Bayh (IN), and even Joe Lieberman (I-CT), need to start to step up and face the reality that their little working group holds the key to a functioning legislative body that could truly save America. Obama could take a page from George Bush, and try to ram it through with the Dems he has. But I think he neeeds to work with a group of Senators that have been ignored for too long. After all, legislative battles still loom. Anyone up for a Healthcare debate next?

Yesterday's actions could signal the fact that this group of Senators has finally realized that this is their time to step up and lead. Senate rules just don't allow a purely partisan bloc of votes to hold sway over all policy discussions. Not without 60 votes, anyway. And perhaps that is a good thing. For too long, we have allowed ideology to rule the roost. Obama has taken the first step, by showing that he wants to lead ALL of America, not just the Democratic Party. The actions of the Senate Moderates have shown that perhaps enough of the Congress recognizes it has to pull together to succeed, or die on principle. I say, Amen to that. Let's try winning again, for a change. It's been a long time.