People, look at this post on DKos, including a press release from Reid: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/25/134319/005.

People, LOOK AT THIS POST! DO IT!

Harry Reid has put out a press release saying that, whereas minorities traditionally defer to majorities in proposing legislation--going through the committees--that deference ends if the Nuclear Option is invoked.

Then he says that (be still my heart) THE DEMS ARE POUTTING 9 BILLS DIRECTLY ON THE SENATE FLOOR, bypassing committees.

All are pro-people.

This is EVERYTHING I could ask for!

I saw the discussion today about whether the DEMs should propose things. I find that a weird discussion.

But I really liked a comment that said, in effect, don't propose things on their turf. Don't go offering plans for saving S S. That surely makes sense.

But this is DIFFERENT! It is PRICELESS!

Reid is PROPOSING MIDDLE CLASS RELIEF and forcing the Thugs to react.

This is the activism that you can do even if you are in the minority. It isn't waiting around for an election. And when you put things up that people will care about, they will have a reason to support you.

And on the Nuclear Option, it turns on its head the whole Thug complaint about obstructionism. And it probes depths of the minority/majority relationship no one had previously known about.

It is absolutely brilliant.

I LOVE this guy! Daschle's loss may have been the greatest silver lining in American political history. No way on earth he would have been half as effective.

Reid is doing what I keep talking about: HE IS LEADING! He is picking battles, fighting them, and mostly winning with weak hands.

So what happens to Senate caucus discipline? It improves. People like sticking tough with a winner.

And it changes the overall political dynamic in the nation. Even if ordinary folk have no clue what Frist is doing, they are vaguely aware that things aren't going so well. Bush Co. is showing weakness. It's kind of like in "The Return of the King" when the orcs in Mordor are grousing about rumors that the war isn't going well. Signs of strength and weakness spread through the body politic like wildfire--ALWAYS! Every army knows when its leaders are weak and they are never wrong about that.

THIS STUFF MATTERS! And while frames are surely involved, it is POLITICAL ACTION, not just talk. It can grow actual credibility among the troops.

I really love Harry Reid.

He gives me hope for this nation.

Keep it up, DEMs. Discover how to LEAD!