Wednesday 20 January 2010

That Massachusetts by-election result - a liberal Democrat view

It seemed to me that Senator Edward Kennedy held his seat on a personal vote against a steadily changing electorate in the state, so that the Democrats' losing it in the special election caused by his death should have been no great surprise. Nor, judging by this summary, does it suggest a big swing in November's scheduled Senate elections. But for a more informed verdict, read this by the Vice Chair of Democrats Abroad UK.

She points out that, although Republican senators have regained the power to fillibuster, there is still a massive Democrat majority in the Senate. President Obama's ability to act on the international front - aid to Haiti being the latest example - is hardly going to be affected. However, legislation in support of international agreements is going to be more difficult to push through.

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