OR-Sen: Jeff Merkley (D), "Dems Have The Votes For Filibuster Reform"

DailyKos:

U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D. OR), one of the leading Democrats in the campaign to reform filibuster rules, claims that Senate Democrats have the votes needed to pass real filibuster reform: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/...

"There are a number of folks who are working to get their hands around how these proposed changes would work in practice," he said. "Senator Udall -- my core partner throughout this battle -- and I both believe that when Majority Leader Reid says 'here is my package and I need you all to back it,' he will have 51 votes behind him." - TPM, 1/16/13 Merkley also called out Senator Carl Levin (D. MI) for being the only Democrat to publicly hold out on supporting the filibuster reform package:

"News reports have had a reasonably accurate list of the Senators who are solidly there and those who are still working out the details," Merkley said. "As of this point, the only person who has said that he will definitely oppose Reid's package if it is to be done with 51 votes is Senator Levin." He added that Levin has held his views for many years. - TPM, 1/16/13 Merkley also reiterated that the bipartisan proposal conducted by Levin and Senator John McCain (R. AZ) weakens filibuster reform:

"I don't see Levin/McCain as a step forward because it doesn't address the silent secret filibuster that the minority uses to kill legislation. In addition, it introduces the poison pill problem," Merkley told TPMPrime. "It is important to recognize, however, that Senator Levin is being completely consistent with the position he took in 2005 when the Republicans threatened to change the rules to eliminate the filibuster on judges. The Republicans only agreed to pull back from changing the rules, however, when the Democrats essentially agreed to what the Republicans wanted making changing the rules unnecessary." - TPM, 1/16/13 This community has done an excellent job keeping the pressure on Senate Democrats to pass real filibuster reform.  We have until January 22nd to make this happen.  Reid and President Obama are on board so please continue to keep urging Democrats in the Senate to back real filibuster reform.  We only need 51 votes to make this happen so lets make sure none of these 51 Senators defects between now and January 22nd.  You can contact your Senator here: http://www.senate.gov/... And show Merkley some gratitude for leading this battle to end GOP obstruction and donate to his re-election campaign:

https://secure.actblue.com/...

Read the full article here. Discuss below.