In what must be a horrifying embarassment to Mitch McConnell, the GOP appears to be in no position to filibuster financial reform:
McConnell has fallen short of the 41 signatures he needs to send Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) a clear signal.
So far, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), a crucial swing vote, has declined to sign the letter, according to a Republican source.
Collins said that she supports some of the provisions in the bill but has concerns about the way Democrats have handled it, specifically their decision to cut off talks with Republican negotiators before a bipartisan deal was reached.
But Collins has declined to pledge in a public letter that she would vote to filibuster the reform bill unless Democrats make amends.
As the piece goes on to point out, this is a gigantic setback for the Senate GOP. Now they are on the hook for opposing the bill, acting childish, and likely unable to stop it or from avoiding voting on some ugly amendments that the Democrats plan to offer.
Further proof to the DC Dems that if you get tough and stand with the American people, the GOP and the powerful will cave. I mean, shit, even Blanche Lincoln got the message on this bill and ponied up some pretty tough derivative regulation language. And I guess Susan Collins isn't totally worthless...this time.
What an incredible strategic and tactical mistake by the Republicans. Just like on health care, they went for the full Luntz and they are, once again, on the verge of laughable failure.