Reid Violates Senate Rules, Pulls Nuclear Option He Previously Blasted

It’s all about power and control.

The Senate voted Thursday, 52-48, to end the filibuster rule for all executive and judicial appointments except for Supreme Court nominees, which would still need a 60-vote supermajority to end debate and move to a majority vote on confirmation. The move, dubbed the “nuclear option,” represents a historic power grab and a blow to the procedural prerogatives of the minority party in the Senate. All but three Democrats voted in favor.
In 2005, when Democrats had inaugurated the practice of filibustering large numbers of nominees, then-Minority Leader (Harry) Reid railed against the GOP majority for threatening the “nuclear option.” That crisis ended in an agreement, brokered by the bipartisan “Gang of 14,” which stated that nominees would only be filibustered in “extraordinary circumstances,” but that there would be no attempted rules changes in that Congress.

Flashback:

In May 2005 it looked as if Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was actually going to pull the nuclear trigger. Sen. Reid gave a speech on the Senate floor explaining why nuking the filibuster would be wrong:
“The filibuster is far from a “procedural gimmick.” It is part of the fabric of this institution. It was well known in colonial legislatures, and it is an integral part of our country’s 217 years of history.
The first filibuster in the U.S. Congress happened in 1790. It was used by lawmakers from Virginia and South Carolina who were trying to prevent Philadelphia from hosting the first Congress.
Since 1790, the filibuster has been employed hundreds and hundreds of times.
Senators have used it to stand up to popular presidents. To block legislation. And yes – even to stall executive nominees.
[. . .]It encourages moderation and consensus. It gives voice to the minority, so that cooler heads may prevail.
It also separates us from the House of Representatives – where the majority rules.
And it is very much in keeping with the spirit of the government established by the Framers of our Constitution: Limited Government…Separation of Powers…Checks and Balances.”

Really, Harry? When the Dems attain majority, those annoying Checks and Balances get put in the dumpster behind the Capitol. Obama loves to bypass Congress and make his own rules. America’s founders made things very difficult for any one leader or faction to impose unfettered will. So, Obama and his Dem cabal simply ignore the Constitution and issue their own dictatorial commandments.

Rules!? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules!

Remember, Harry:

“It’s a big mistake because the whole story is Democrats won’t be in power in perpetuity,” said Senator Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican and 20-year veteran. “The Senate will be dramatically changed. It could be whoever’s in power takes all.”

Payback is a bitch.