Demagogue

Wow. Go Dems!

Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bid to combine a tax cut for the wealthy with a wage increase for the working poor last night, adding a volatile economic issue to this fall's congressional campaigns.

GOP leaders fell three votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate and bring the package to the Senate floor, where it was considered certain to pass on a simple-majority vote. Republicans said Democrats will pay a price in November, contending that most Americans support the bill's call for an increase in the minimum wage and deep cuts in the estate tax.
...
Under the bill, "8,100 of the wealthy and well-off hit the jackpot, while millions of working families get $800 billion in [federal] debt," said Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), who led the opposition to the measure.

Naturally I support an increase in the minimum wage, however, the crap that the GOP attached to that bill is absolutely apalling.

While the Dems took a risk I think it is a smart, principled risk. I'd rather see them fight for what is right than back down just because they fear the GOP is going to try and make them look bad. Yes, the campaign ads are going to be especially ugly but I don't think they'll be that hard to counter. Dems can seize the opportunity to talk about our $300 billion deficit and the GOP's crazy-drunken-sailor-spending ways. They also can make sure everyone knows that it was their bill, it's part of their goals, and the GOP intentionally spoiled it by trying to give BILLIONS in tax cuts to the super-rich.