Is there a Glimmer of Hope for the New Congress-Senate? Bi-Partisanship maybe on horizon

If there was ever a time when a band of likeminded politicians from both sides of the aisle was needed, it would be this era, this year, this time in our nation’s history. Let alone it is the beginning of a general election season where one expects the partisanship to ramp on, again, and again, this should be put aside for those elected to do the people’s business.

Therefore – two articles stood out that makes one believe it may be possible to finally get things done, or not done, depending on the actual needs of the nation.

The first from Politico: Some house Democrats are seeking to add term limits to leadership positions according to Politico – in a nutshell, they see the GOP opening positions for new members of the body, and so, they would like to be able to have new voices heard on their side of the aisle. Smart move as it infuses new ideas into an otherwise stagnant and politically polarized group of older leaders (see Pelosi) (Politico)

Move to the Washington Post article which suggests that there is a large enough group of moderate Democrats who may be willing to work with the new Senate Leadership – thus giving the Senate the power to override a Presidential veto if necessary. We can only hope so – the constitution allows for a system of checks and balances - keeping everyone on an even playing field. (Washington Post)

There are instances where members do work together for the common good – see Rand Paul and Corey Booker.

Washington Post “Poll” Dems’ at 51% of Senate Control – Wishful Thinking

From The Washington Post, Fix Blog, reveals that there is a slight chance that the Democrats may retain control of the Senate, however, the poll, such as it is, relies on data sets from the Post’s Internal Lab.

The Washington Posts Election Lab suggests the following criteria using New Hampshire as an example: the State of New Hampshire has a 99% chance of remaining Democrat due to the following statistics: Jean Shaheen has raised over $9 million dollars and her share of vote the last election (2012) was at 53%, while Scott Brown has a measly 3 million, and to boot, Obama won reelection in that state by – 53%. (Washington Post Senate Map Interactive click here and have fun.)

One might suggest that although Shaheen safely sailed on the 2012 election coattails and Obama was popular in the state at the time, that no matter how much cash on hand one might have, it may not be enough to push one to say, a win.

One might also suggest that the other seats noted “safe” using these criteria, may be in more jeopardy than the Post would hope. Thus one might also suggest this “lab”, or “poll” is utter nonsense. Although not prone to predicting the future with much accuracy – there are certain models that maybe more reliable, such as actual polls, with at least a modicum of accuracy when using land lines and a decent sample of the electorate.

Justice Department Blocks Harry Reid Investigation

A corruption probe begun by Utah State Prosecutors against Harry Reid (D) and Mike Lee (R), Senators from the State of Utah, has come under some scrutiny since efforts by the FBI have been thwarted by the Justice Department. In the case of Lee, there is some question into the validity of a sale of a home, in which losses were incurred, the investigation, was brought by a State Democrat.

Concerning both men

Spokesmen for both senators denied their bosses engaged in any wrongdoing and said the lawmakers were unaware of the investigations. Mass recusal The investigative efforts have been further complicated by the fact that Mr. Reid worked to get Mr. Lee’s chief counsel, David Barlow, confirmed in 2011 as the U.S. attorney in Salt Lake City. That action — a Democratic Senate leader letting a Republican be named to a key prosecutor’s position in the Obama administration — raised many eyebrows and angered some Democrats. Subsequently, the entire office of federal prosecutors in Utah was forced to recuse itself from the corruption case after questions surfaced about a conflict of interest involving one prosecutor and a subject of the probe. After the recusal, state prosecutors secured a court order transferring the federal evidence gathered up to that point to their possession. The process has left FBI agents in the unusual position of trying to help two local prosecutors make a case in state court without the ability to use the federal court system to determine whether accusations against two powerful members of Congress are true.

(Washington Times)

Considering Harry Reid, the spokesman for Obama Care, and architect of the Nuclear Option in the Senate, one would think that the administration would do anything to protect their lapdog – including blocking an investigation. It would be justice to give both men the opportunity to prove no wrong-doing in either allegation. What is suspicious is the fact that Justice as intervened in this issue, in particular, as the players are diametrically opposed, and Harry Reid, is seen as the lap dog of the administration. One might have to throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater, in these cases, Lee being unable to disprove the allegations, while saving Reid. Of course, 2014 may make this a moot point.

Niki Haley’s Choice to Replace DeMint - Tim Scott (R, SC) – Independent Tea Party Conservative - Media weighs in

Tim Scott - Tea Party Comfortable - image from Earlcapps.blogspot.com - read article.

Niki Haley’s decision to choose Tim Scott, a Congressman who along with dozens of other like-minded individuals, were elected to the Congress in 2010, was in keeping with the character of the Tea Party. The media is, of course, is searching for words to explain the fact that Scott just happens to be a Republican and an African American, which is out of context with the left’s narrative of the Tea Party as White Racist (or the Republican Party for that matter – see previous election and Joe Biden’s remarks, or pick any Democrat – it was certainly about race.) The New York Times article has given an fairly reasonable portrait of the man, and acknowledges his Tea Party background, while bringing up the fact that he is the 7th African American to serve in the Senate, and goes on to point out the lack of diversity in the Republican Party! Frankly, the fact that he is African-American is not of import to those Tea Party members, who, contrary to the national narrative, is a diverse and welcoming movement, candidates for public office are chosen on their abilities, rather than on the need to include or diversify.

The Washington Post, in the overview on Scott is , for the most part, a history of African American’s in the Senate with some biographical data of Scott included. Apparently, something has happened at the Post, for more on Scott, they linked to an article from the The National Journal: “House GOP Favorite Tim Scott is Ready for What Comes Next” - No kidding.

What is most disturbing is the fact that there have been so few African American’s who have served in the U.S. Senate – understanding that the two party system, on both sides of the aisle are pretty “white”, and that one of those political parties, feel s it owns the minorities (and considering the last election, that may be a case in point). That said, it is not race that disqualifies or qualifies someone to hold an elected office, it is competence and desire that should be the factor (and yes, obviously like-mined political ideology). That is where the much maligned Tea Party takes a left turn from the main political parties – in not recognizing race first, rather ideology and accomplishments. We are all American’s, and we all are “something else”, in the greater scheme of things, we are Spanish, African American, Asian, Polish, French, or a combination of any of the aforementioned – but we are all Americans. That should be the only criteria, the balance should be secondary . We are here in this nation, given the opportunity, all of us, to either rise or fall on our own merits. This is unique in the world, where these are nations (Pakistan for example) if one is born a street sweeper, then one is destined to become a street sweeper, and nothing more. The governments in some nations choose one’s career, or one is pigeonholed as having a propensity to be this or that, and there is no other course for their lives. Here, in the U.S. we are able to change outlives on a dime, we enjoy the freedom to take chances, change careers, or move freely from one state or another. The constant focus on race as a factor in any of the aforementioned , may have been true 100 years ago, or perhaps further back, prejudice exists in all forms, between race, ethnicity and yes, class and cash, but from individuals, not from the collective that is the nation. That may be why the Tea Party, and it’s representatives are who we truly are, the good and yes, the bad, but overall American’s who see the opportunity provided by the Constitution, without worrying much about someone’s race, or how diverse they might be.

One can hazard to bet that Senator Elect Scott will be an independent, conservative, voice in the Senate, and we, as a nation, are lucky that he has accepted Governor Haley’s nod.

Most important: Tim Scott as a Congressional Representative – From his Congressional Website: Sponsored Legislation, and His voting record, unusually forthcoming for an elected official.