Senate back to 55-45

[NJlonghorn]

Cory Booker won the NJ Senate special election yesterday. Shocker.

When he's sworn in, thie Dems will regain the seat they lost when Frank Lautenberg died this summer. I'm not sure 55-45 is all that different from 54-46, but it is one fewer R vote needed to avoid a filibuster.

 

[theiioftx]

Well, here is a little sweetener for your post. The problem is the establishment of both democrats and republicans. This was buried in last night's deal:

WASHINGTON – As D.C. lawmakers talk tough over a looming government shutdown, one item House members have not said much about is a six-figure “gift” they tucked into the latest spending bill. The little-noticed provision would pay the widow of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg – who was a millionaire -- $174,000 in tax-free funds.

The payment is part of a time-honored practice of paying out death benefits to lawmakers' families. But it's caught the eye of government watchdogs who say it's time to put an end to that practice.

 

[Mr. Deez]

For a Northeast Democrat, I kinda like Booker. He's shown some balls on education issues. Considering that most Dems from the Northeast have the teacher unions' balls so firmly and deeply entrenched in their mouths that they can't think straight, it's refreshing to see one who doesn't. I consider him a significant improvement over Lautenberg.

Having said that, I think Booker half-assed this election and underperformed. The guy had a ton of money and is as smooth as it gets as a candidate. He was up against a shabby (though admittedly hardworking) opponent with narrow appeal, no money, and who was dramatically more conservative than the New Jersey electorate. In addition, Booker was running in a strong blue state at a time that could not have been worse for a Republican in terms of brand image. Under the circumstances, a 10-point victory is poor.

Had there been no shutdown and had the GOP nominee been a center-right but charismatic Republican, Booker might have lost this race.

 

[NJlonghorn]

True, but I suspect he would've campaigned harder if he had had a stiffer challenge.

 

[NJlonghorn]

And by the way, the biggest "knock" against Booker is that he works too well with Chris Christie and compromises too often. We need more of that, not less. It remains to be seen whether he takes a hard left tirn first chance he gets, or stays near the center.

 

[Mr. Deez]

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[Roger35]

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[NJlonghorn]

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[Roger35]

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[majorwhiteapples]

link to your fact

 

[NJlonghorn]

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[Bevo Incognito]

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[Horns11]

Since one party would need 60 votes in the Senate to get anything accomplished, this probably doesn't affect much at all on the Hill.