Last week there were several votes in the Senate related to Gun Control. One bill regarding background checks - and being championed by the President - was defeated by six votes - four of which were Ds. Now, it is always politically risky to buck your party leader, particularly when he is the Prez. You might get disinvited to the next State Dinner. But that is not the current President's style. I recall how Lyndon Baines Johnson handled maverick members of his party. LBJ was a master at arm twisting, lapel grabbing and old Sen. Theodore Green (D-R.I.) may still have bruises on his sternum from a long bony finger poke. Folklore has it that LBJ would invite a fence sitter into the mens' room and work his charm while standing at the urinals. One of his pet sayings was "Come, let us reason together!" Once when an aide came to him with the message that Congressman X was not on board, Johnson said "tell him we plan to erect a low rent housing project in his district." The recalcitrant legislator came around. To paraphrase an old joke: Q - Do you approve of clubs for Congress? A - Only if persuasion fails.... Now fast forward to 2013 - if LBJ were in the W.H. today - and with the Senate now 20% female - presume there would be fewer trips to the woodshed - and more "reasoning together."
tjs
Next -TBA
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