Signatures on 2017 letter show many Senate Dems wanted to preserve this ‘relic of the Jim Crow era’

Posted at 11:38 am on June 11, 2021 by Doug P.

This year the Democrats, including many in the U.S. Senate, have declared the filibuster to be a “relic of the Jim Crow era” and a grave threat to “democracy” as we know it. Just ask Amy Klobuchar:

I’m not going to let an antiquated Senate rule undermine the foundation of our democracy. You cannot filibuster Americans’ right to vote.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 10, 2021

The right to vote is sacred. The Senate filibuster is not.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 22, 2021

But 2017, the first year of the Trump presidency, told a different story:

Remember this 2017 letter urging Mitch McConnell to protect the legislative filibuster for the good of our Democracy? It was signed by 32 Senate Dems many of whom now believe that the filibuster is a Jim Crow relic.https://t.co/yhePrb8QTL
— Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) June 11, 2021

The letter to McConnell and Schumer begins this way: “We are writing to urge you to support our efforts to preserve existing rules, practices, and traditions as they pertain to the right of Members to engage in extended debate on legislation before the United States Senate.”

It just shows how unprincipled these Senators are. Four years ago (when it benefitted them) they supported it for the good of the land. Now that it doesn't benefit them, it's racist. So crazy.
— Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) June 11, 2021

Like 30 Republicans signed it too when they were the majority party. Imagine getting 30 Democrats to sign onto this now. You'd be lucky to get 3.
— Eddie Zipperer (@EddieZipperer) June 11, 2021

What a difference four years and a president with a D after his name makes!

The only transcendant principle at play here is "does this help my side today?" https://t.co/Ey3krTdxPG
— Blue Shift Blog (@BlueShiftBlog) June 11, 2021

Is there anything a democrat hasn't been on both sides of when power is at stake? https://t.co/VSfyK433Gb
— One Horse Pony Erik (@winefishdawg) June 11, 2021

And just last year…

Then, in 2020, Democrats used the racist Jim Crow filibuster 327 times.
The only people less self aware than democrats is democrats. Circular, devolving lack of self awareness. pic.twitter.com/crvBxoOBqa
— Free Range 🇺🇸 White Man 🤷 (@ChooseFreewill3) June 11, 2021

But “relic of the Jim Crow era” or something.