Government Obama Style

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/12/10/senate-proceeding-as-scheduled-tuesday/

Democrats successfully utilized new Senate rules Tuesday to confirm one of President Obama’s picks to serve on a key federal court and another to lead a federal housing agency.

Several more votes to confirm new federal judges and agency leaders are expected in the coming days, further cementing an historic change in Senate rules enacted in recent weeks.

Under new rules requiring just a majority of senators to agree to proceed to final debate on most confirmation votes, senators voted Tuesday morning 56 to 38 to confirm Patricia A. Millett to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Later, senators confirmed Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) 57 to 41 to serve as the next head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency,which regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and federal home loan banks.

Millett will be the first of three picks by Obama to join what is broadly considered the second-most important federal court in the nation because it handles cases regarding federal regulations.

This happened almost two years ago, and the topic is that the President is disengaged.....he is not. The rules changes have helped some, but they are limited in their application and have no impact on the house.

I don't happen to believe race is the main issue here, although it certainly plays a role. What we have is a changing electorate, a dysfunctional economy, a Democrat in the White House, and a GOP that is so beholden to special interests it no longer has a working relationship with most of our citizens. Bill Clinton's presidency bore the same markings...Oh, BTW, Happy Birthday, former President Clinton.