Could This Be End of the Filibuster?
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Nov. 8 (Bloomberg) -- In 2008, Barack Obama promised tochange the way Washington works. In 2013, we might actually seethat change. But it won’t be because of Obama. It will bebecause a critical mass of senators -- perhaps even includingsome Republicans -- decide enough is enough: It’s time to reinin the filibuster.
The problem with a president promising to “changeWashington” is that the presidency isn’t the part of Washingtonthat’s broken. The systemic gridlock, dysfunction andpolarization that so frustrates the country isn’t located in theexecutive branch. It’s centered in Congress. And one of its keyenablers is Senate Rule XXII -- better known as the filibuster.