Not sure if this is possible, so I wanted to throw it out there to you guys so someone who knows more about it can say for sure...
But I think we can get rid of the filibuster now, so that no matter who wins on Tuesday the Democratic agenda isn't compromised. Now this is ballsy, using power while you have it, maneuvering. Especially if Coakley loses. But I say who cares...
The Senate never passed a new organizing resolution after Franken won the MN Senate election. An organizing resolution was passed recognizing Specter's party switch but Franken's arrival was essentially ignored. So in theory the Democrats could put forward a new organizing resolution redistributing committee seats to reflect the current 60 seat majority. Part of that new organizing resolution could be a rules change that changes senate rules to eliminate the filibuster for the rest of this session.
Now of course they would have to do it while they have the 60 votes to break the inevitable Republican filibuster of the new resolution. So if Brown wins, Republicans will scream bloody murder and the press will call it a power grab. But it would change the Senate from a 60 vote body to a 50 vote body for the rest of this Congress. Which would be a game changer for the remainder of health care negotiations. And climate change legislation. And the second stimulus/jobs bill. And financial regulatory reform. In short, Democrats would be able to compile a record of action to run on this fall. So I would say the reward more than outweighs the short-term pain that this move would generate in the press.
If this is possible, it needs to be publicized and Reid et al pressured to make it happen while they still can. Some of these senators are more concerned with protecting the traditions of the senate than their own welfare or that of this country.
If its not, sorry to bring it up. With all the talk of how to pass healthcare no matter what happens on Tuesday I figured I would do a little outside the box thinking. I am feeling a little desperate right now.