Windmill Tilter

As the resident historian of the Senate, there was no one more qualified to deliver the final, elegant blow to the so-called Nucular Option (as our prez would say) on the floor of the Senate. Remember, this is a man whom the right dishonestly criticized for his long-ago association with the KKK, which he has repeatedly and fully repudiated. By implication, they were calling him a good old American fascist. This coming from a party of such obvious tolerance for differing views and lifestyles. Does this sound fascistic to you?:

The Senate was to serve as a “check” on the Executive Branch, particularly in the areas of appointments and treaties, where, under the Constitution, the Senate passes judgement absent the House of Representatives.... When it comes to the Senate, numbers can deceive. The Senate was never intended to be a majoritarian body. That was the role of the House of Representatives, with its membership based on the populations of states. The Great Compromise of July 16, 1787, satisfied the need for smaller states to have equal status in one House of Congress: the Senate. The Senate, with its two members per state, regardless of population is, then, the forum of the states. Indeed, in the last Congress, 52 members, a majority, representing the 26 smallest states accounted for just 17.06% of the U.S. population. In other words, a majority in the Senate does not necessarily represent a majority of the population. The Senate is intended for deliberation not point scoring. It is a place designed from its inception, as expressive of minority views. ... The Senate was deliberately conceived to be ... a “better refuge,” meaning one styled as guardian of the rights of the minority. The Senate is the “watchdog” because majorities can be wrong, and filibusters can highlight injustices. History is full of examples.

For those examples, read the whole speech. I think I've said it before, but DAMN, there are some good senators.