Thanks again for your continuing optimism. It bouys me up and encourages me to keep as active as I can at my age (89) by signing petitions, writing letters and postcards, and keeping in touch with my members of Congress, as well as sending money when I can. I stay up late in hopes of reading your letter before I go to bed. Keep up the good work. Blessings, Ann
You are so inspiring, Robert. You inspire to hope and to act. You mention two of my favorite columnists, Rather and Reich, but you impart your message daily. This is an act of great civic virtue. While the mainstream press casts every story in terms suitable to a bad disaster movie, you recall Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper—do I even need to mention the two movies I am talking about? It is all about work, consistency, and doing what needs to be done. As always, I( am indebted to you for daily renovating my attitude.
A couple of comments. First, if two Republicans will vote for a narrow exception to the filibuster to permit voting rights to come to the floor, then one or both of the bills should pass. The Republicans don't have to vote for cloture, or for the bills themselves, just for a narrow exception to the filibuster rule. (And if even one Republican does so, both Manchin and Sinema will join in.) So, if you are in a state with a "reasonable" Republican Senator (Romney, Murkowski, Portman, Toomey, Collins(?)), or with one of the 16 who voted to extend the VRA in 2006, you should call every day to tell him or her to vote for the bills to be heard.
Second point: If, as is all too likely, the voting rights bills don't pass this year, that should not be an end for us, but a beginning. Let that be a great inspiration for us to go out and work that much harder. Let the inability to protect voting rights become a first-rank issue for Democrats to change history.
I concur. Unfortunately, I reside in Texas, where only one of our Senators (Cornyn) is not a complete looney. While I do not expect him to buck the Republican sedition caucus I have nevertheless communicated with him via, letter, email, and phone requesting his vote for cloture on the motion to change Senate Rules to allow a vote on Voting Rights legislation. I have also urged a Progressive Group of Democrats and Independents I lead to do likewise. As stated in the suggestion I have communicated that he does not have to vote for the Rules change only for cloture on the motion to proceed to a vote. I urge everyone living in a state with a Republican Senator who might be moved to do so also.
Well,actually, I don’t believe that a motion to change the rule could be filibustered. So I think what we’d want would to vote to amend the rule, even if he then votes against the bills, as I’m sure would. My sympathies for living in a state where John Cornyn is the better if your senators.
I do not pretend to be an expert on Senate Rules. However, I am not certain if that is correct. Here is the introduction to Senate Rules from the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This is a resource I have used to better understand the Senate Rules:
I see no provision about amendmen of the Senate's rules. That would be key--what is the procedure for amending them, and how can debate on proposed amendments to the rules--not on bills before the Senate--be cut off.
Jan 12, 2022·edited Jan 12, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
When he spoke on Tuesday, President Biden prevailed upon the Senate to consent to a filibuster rule change that would allow for an up or down majority vote on both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is my understanding that some time between now and Monday January 17th Senator Schumer plans to bring both bills to the floor for a vote. In the event the bills are filibustered, the Senate will reconvene to reform the filibuster.
When I last posted on January 11th under the subject head “McConnell’s empty threat,” I delineated, in some detail, the critical distinctions between the two bills, which I invite anyone seeking further clarification to review. On a final note, I would add that I agree with President Biden who stated, on Tuesday, something to the effect that, even if we the people somehow could overcome the most restrictive voter suppression measures that already have passed (and there will be more), the same cannot be said of the accumulating election subversion measures (ie changing election rules to change who can be in charge, how votes are counted, and how votes are certified) that continue to pass. Although, based upon my research and fieldwork, I am hopeful that 50 Senators will sign on to a rule change that will allow for an up or down vote, as Mr. Hubbell indicated, we cannot “relent.”
The issue that frustrates me and I am sure other readers is Republicans can refuse to vote for voting rights legislation and there seems to be no consequences to that vote and no accountability for putting Democracy at risk. There has to be a way that somehow we can tie the January 6th coup attempt and the participation of many Republicans in the design, strategy and implement of the plan, the creation of forged state delegate documents and the refusal to support voter rights legislation into a rallying cry for all voters in 2022. Speeches wont do it. We need action and momentum
You and Dan are motivational writers at the top of your game. This old Dem, yes Dan Rather old, has watched with rapt attention since the 60’s. It is easy to see emboldened evil gaining ground. However, you make good points and this old “libtard” will keep the faith for the future since I am well aware of what is at stake. Words matter. As Stephen Peha wrote (HCR LFAA comment re Gettysburg Address) “…we can hear in his words the stubborn sound of struggle.”
Regarding the filibuster, Article 1, Section 3, Clause 1 says: "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State ..... for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote." There are instances where the Constitution requires a super-majority. Other than those instances, Senators who vote in the majority, but the majority does not carry or succeed, have less than one vote. The filibuster violates the Constitutional provision for every Senator to have one vote. Even this Supreme Court should be able to see that. After all, what if the US Supreme Court made a rule that required 7 votes out of 9 to overturn a law?
Thank you for your calls to action and the resources that help to make those calls a reality. Today, I will post my letter to Cigna expressing my dissatisfaction with their contributions to Republicans who voted to overturn the election. When I go on Medicare in a couple of months, they will no longer be my health care provider. Small steps, but if there are enough of us…
Jan 12, 2022·edited Jan 12, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank you for this edition. We all need to hear this.
I thought you and some of the readers here would be very interested to read this article by one of my preferred N.C. commentators (he used to be editor of the Durham/Chapel Hill Indy newspaper), Jeffrey Billman, in his newish online substack NCPrimer. It’s a complete dive into yesterday’s gerrymandering decision.:
I just subscribed after reading this. Thanks, Jan. NC is a huge part of my family's heritage and my father was a reporter-editor for the Charlotte News, so it feels good to hear from a newsman in that part of the country. He's good.
That’s great MaryB. You should mention some of that to him about your N.C. connections in his comment section (maybe you can only do that if you subscribe with a payment.) I also have his email if you want to contact him directly that way. And no I’m not related to him and I do not know him personally. I’ve just noticed his writing when he was Indy editor and I exchanged comments several times with him through that newsletter. Then I supported his substack. Somewhere along the way, he included his email address. I got it legitimately. Hahaha.
How cool that your father was at the Charlotte News.
I'd love to contact him through email, Jan. you can send to me through mine: mshippbart@gmail.com. I don't worry about posting mine on Robert's substack; I trust his subscribers not to abuse it.
Thank you for sharing the article. Simply amazing. There is no logic in these gerrymandering decisions, only a flimsy veneer to pretend some type of fairness.
Outstanding piece today, especially the Concluding Thoughts. I hadn't seen the figures on positive changes in voting laws and that is indeed reason for hope. More email today; MO has at least one Senator who, having announced his retirement, might be persuaded to make a move to bolster his legacy by supporting the Lewis Act and updating the ECA.
Suffragettes around the world didn't give up, and they weren't successful for a long time. When the people who can give you more rights are the very ones who have large swaths within their ranks who don't want you to have more rights, it's a struggle. So, it is about changing the minds and views of the people whose votes currently can and do make a difference. It will happen. We mustn't give up. I appreciate your positivity, encouragement, and actionable ideas, Robert. Thank you!
One of the readers posted previously how phone calls seem to be better than e-mails to senators. Not sure if that is the case, but in an effort to assist with our efforts, here is a link to where you can select a state, and a senator, and get their direct line so you don't have to go through the main switchboard: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Robert, I would like to listen to your episode with Jason Berlin. I work with Field Team 6. The link you sent with the 1/12 newsletter takes me to the FT6 site but not to the recording. I tried Callin but that didn’t help. How can I hear your interview with him? Thanks!
This is not a happy thought by any stretch of the imagination, nevertheless it happens to be true.
You wrote: "Each year, nearly 4 million high school seniors become eligible to vote. Those potential new voters represent a bloc that is large enough to swing federal, state, and local elections." I was unaware of the number much less the potential POWER of this bloc and I was SO encouraged.
Here's where the "unpretty thought" kicks in. In Texas, Florida, MS and other states which have fought a mask mandate and where the ignorant continue to mingle and share Covid in all its various forms, people are DYING, literally. When you note the ultimate downfall of that party of intractables, I am wondering if this is going to happen sooner rather than later. In my county in Texas, 1 of 3 now are testing positive from Covid. Austin is at stage FIVE. A THIRD of our population, most of whom are unvaccinated and who vote GOP are sick (by choice) and DYING. I don't know the numbers, but if faux noise and the GOP continue selling a poisonous lie to a segment of voters this large, wonder just how many of them will actually be around to vote next November? If Michelle is registering 1M new voters and if we focus on registering our young people, the balance of who shows up to vote might work in our behalf - not in some distant future, but in 2022. And when the Stench Bench votes to gut Roe V Wade, look for scads of suddenly very motivated WOMEN to show up next fall. I wish I had the ability to do a "Steve Karnacki" with numbers...I might sleep better! LOL!
Thanks again for your continuing optimism. It bouys me up and encourages me to keep as active as I can at my age (89) by signing petitions, writing letters and postcards, and keeping in touch with my members of Congress, as well as sending money when I can. I stay up late in hopes of reading your letter before I go to bed. Keep up the good work. Blessings, Ann
As Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Time to buck up your enthusiasm, Dems
I am going to use that quote! Thanks!
You are so inspiring, Robert. You inspire to hope and to act. You mention two of my favorite columnists, Rather and Reich, but you impart your message daily. This is an act of great civic virtue. While the mainstream press casts every story in terms suitable to a bad disaster movie, you recall Jimmy Stewart and Gary Cooper—do I even need to mention the two movies I am talking about? It is all about work, consistency, and doing what needs to be done. As always, I( am indebted to you for daily renovating my attitude.
Thanks, Jim. I appreciate your kind words. Stay strong! We are going to prevail; it won't be easy and may take a while, but we will win.
Thanks for the huge shout out to my mother-in-law Goldie. If she can do it, so can the rest of us! Let’s get busy!
Don, thanks for sending the note. We all need to be like your mother in law. Please give her my warm regards.
A couple of comments. First, if two Republicans will vote for a narrow exception to the filibuster to permit voting rights to come to the floor, then one or both of the bills should pass. The Republicans don't have to vote for cloture, or for the bills themselves, just for a narrow exception to the filibuster rule. (And if even one Republican does so, both Manchin and Sinema will join in.) So, if you are in a state with a "reasonable" Republican Senator (Romney, Murkowski, Portman, Toomey, Collins(?)), or with one of the 16 who voted to extend the VRA in 2006, you should call every day to tell him or her to vote for the bills to be heard.
Second point: If, as is all too likely, the voting rights bills don't pass this year, that should not be an end for us, but a beginning. Let that be a great inspiration for us to go out and work that much harder. Let the inability to protect voting rights become a first-rank issue for Democrats to change history.
Good point as to 1, and agree 100% as to 2!
I concur. Unfortunately, I reside in Texas, where only one of our Senators (Cornyn) is not a complete looney. While I do not expect him to buck the Republican sedition caucus I have nevertheless communicated with him via, letter, email, and phone requesting his vote for cloture on the motion to change Senate Rules to allow a vote on Voting Rights legislation. I have also urged a Progressive Group of Democrats and Independents I lead to do likewise. As stated in the suggestion I have communicated that he does not have to vote for the Rules change only for cloture on the motion to proceed to a vote. I urge everyone living in a state with a Republican Senator who might be moved to do so also.
Well,actually, I don’t believe that a motion to change the rule could be filibustered. So I think what we’d want would to vote to amend the rule, even if he then votes against the bills, as I’m sure would. My sympathies for living in a state where John Cornyn is the better if your senators.
I do not pretend to be an expert on Senate Rules. However, I am not certain if that is correct. Here is the introduction to Senate Rules from the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This is a resource I have used to better understand the Senate Rules:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/96-548
I see no provision about amendmen of the Senate's rules. That would be key--what is the procedure for amending them, and how can debate on proposed amendments to the rules--not on bills before the Senate--be cut off.
I think the importance of getting this to a vote is to force the senators to be on record voting it down to be used during the election cycle.
When he spoke on Tuesday, President Biden prevailed upon the Senate to consent to a filibuster rule change that would allow for an up or down majority vote on both the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is my understanding that some time between now and Monday January 17th Senator Schumer plans to bring both bills to the floor for a vote. In the event the bills are filibustered, the Senate will reconvene to reform the filibuster.
When I last posted on January 11th under the subject head “McConnell’s empty threat,” I delineated, in some detail, the critical distinctions between the two bills, which I invite anyone seeking further clarification to review. On a final note, I would add that I agree with President Biden who stated, on Tuesday, something to the effect that, even if we the people somehow could overcome the most restrictive voter suppression measures that already have passed (and there will be more), the same cannot be said of the accumulating election subversion measures (ie changing election rules to change who can be in charge, how votes are counted, and how votes are certified) that continue to pass. Although, based upon my research and fieldwork, I am hopeful that 50 Senators will sign on to a rule change that will allow for an up or down vote, as Mr. Hubbell indicated, we cannot “relent.”
The issue that frustrates me and I am sure other readers is Republicans can refuse to vote for voting rights legislation and there seems to be no consequences to that vote and no accountability for putting Democracy at risk. There has to be a way that somehow we can tie the January 6th coup attempt and the participation of many Republicans in the design, strategy and implement of the plan, the creation of forged state delegate documents and the refusal to support voter rights legislation into a rallying cry for all voters in 2022. Speeches wont do it. We need action and momentum
You and Dan are motivational writers at the top of your game. This old Dem, yes Dan Rather old, has watched with rapt attention since the 60’s. It is easy to see emboldened evil gaining ground. However, you make good points and this old “libtard” will keep the faith for the future since I am well aware of what is at stake. Words matter. As Stephen Peha wrote (HCR LFAA comment re Gettysburg Address) “…we can hear in his words the stubborn sound of struggle.”
Regarding the filibuster, Article 1, Section 3, Clause 1 says: "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State ..... for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote." There are instances where the Constitution requires a super-majority. Other than those instances, Senators who vote in the majority, but the majority does not carry or succeed, have less than one vote. The filibuster violates the Constitutional provision for every Senator to have one vote. Even this Supreme Court should be able to see that. After all, what if the US Supreme Court made a rule that required 7 votes out of 9 to overturn a law?
Thanks, Len. Very good point.
I recommend this from TNR on taking the filibuster to court. From last June, but still makes sense.
https://newrepublic.com/article/162718/supreme-court-kill-the-filibuster
Thank you for your calls to action and the resources that help to make those calls a reality. Today, I will post my letter to Cigna expressing my dissatisfaction with their contributions to Republicans who voted to overturn the election. When I go on Medicare in a couple of months, they will no longer be my health care provider. Small steps, but if there are enough of us…
Thanks!
Thank you for this edition. We all need to hear this.
I thought you and some of the readers here would be very interested to read this article by one of my preferred N.C. commentators (he used to be editor of the Durham/Chapel Hill Indy newspaper), Jeffrey Billman, in his newish online substack NCPrimer. It’s a complete dive into yesterday’s gerrymandering decision.:
https://ncprimer.substack.com/p/the-infuriating-logic-of-the-gerrymandering?
Great article. Thanks.
I just subscribed after reading this. Thanks, Jan. NC is a huge part of my family's heritage and my father was a reporter-editor for the Charlotte News, so it feels good to hear from a newsman in that part of the country. He's good.
That’s great MaryB. You should mention some of that to him about your N.C. connections in his comment section (maybe you can only do that if you subscribe with a payment.) I also have his email if you want to contact him directly that way. And no I’m not related to him and I do not know him personally. I’ve just noticed his writing when he was Indy editor and I exchanged comments several times with him through that newsletter. Then I supported his substack. Somewhere along the way, he included his email address. I got it legitimately. Hahaha.
How cool that your father was at the Charlotte News.
I'd love to contact him through email, Jan. you can send to me through mine: mshippbart@gmail.com. I don't worry about posting mine on Robert's substack; I trust his subscribers not to abuse it.
Thank you for sharing the article. Simply amazing. There is no logic in these gerrymandering decisions, only a flimsy veneer to pretend some type of fairness.
Yep.
Outstanding piece today, especially the Concluding Thoughts. I hadn't seen the figures on positive changes in voting laws and that is indeed reason for hope. More email today; MO has at least one Senator who, having announced his retirement, might be persuaded to make a move to bolster his legacy by supporting the Lewis Act and updating the ECA.
Suffragettes around the world didn't give up, and they weren't successful for a long time. When the people who can give you more rights are the very ones who have large swaths within their ranks who don't want you to have more rights, it's a struggle. So, it is about changing the minds and views of the people whose votes currently can and do make a difference. It will happen. We mustn't give up. I appreciate your positivity, encouragement, and actionable ideas, Robert. Thank you!
One of the readers posted previously how phone calls seem to be better than e-mails to senators. Not sure if that is the case, but in an effort to assist with our efforts, here is a link to where you can select a state, and a senator, and get their direct line so you don't have to go through the main switchboard: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Robert, I would like to listen to your episode with Jason Berlin. I work with Field Team 6. The link you sent with the 1/12 newsletter takes me to the FT6 site but not to the recording. I tried Callin but that didn’t help. How can I hear your interview with him? Thanks!
I'm not receiving your newsletter. I miss it. Now what do I do?
This is not a happy thought by any stretch of the imagination, nevertheless it happens to be true.
You wrote: "Each year, nearly 4 million high school seniors become eligible to vote. Those potential new voters represent a bloc that is large enough to swing federal, state, and local elections." I was unaware of the number much less the potential POWER of this bloc and I was SO encouraged.
Here's where the "unpretty thought" kicks in. In Texas, Florida, MS and other states which have fought a mask mandate and where the ignorant continue to mingle and share Covid in all its various forms, people are DYING, literally. When you note the ultimate downfall of that party of intractables, I am wondering if this is going to happen sooner rather than later. In my county in Texas, 1 of 3 now are testing positive from Covid. Austin is at stage FIVE. A THIRD of our population, most of whom are unvaccinated and who vote GOP are sick (by choice) and DYING. I don't know the numbers, but if faux noise and the GOP continue selling a poisonous lie to a segment of voters this large, wonder just how many of them will actually be around to vote next November? If Michelle is registering 1M new voters and if we focus on registering our young people, the balance of who shows up to vote might work in our behalf - not in some distant future, but in 2022. And when the Stench Bench votes to gut Roe V Wade, look for scads of suddenly very motivated WOMEN to show up next fall. I wish I had the ability to do a "Steve Karnacki" with numbers...I might sleep better! LOL!