Sometimes, there’s room for some kind of compromise or middle ground when Dems and Republicans disagree on an issue. But when it comes to how to scrutinize the response to Hurricane Katrina, there’s just an unyielding difference of philosophy — the GOP believes in a Republican-driven probe in which officials will investigate themselves, while Dems want an independent analysis.
Unfortunately, Dems are in the minority.
The Senate voted along party lines yesterday to reject creation of an independent panel to investigate the government’s fumbling response to Hurricane Katrina.
The proposal, from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), would have established a panel similar to the one that examined the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The partisan wrangling came amid rising calls from members of both parties to change how the nation manages major disasters.
The final vote came strictly along party lines. Every Dem backed an independent probe and every Republican said no. That is, except Louisiana’s David Vitter (R) who, for some reason, didn’t vote at all. (Given the subject matter, shouldn’t he have been there?)
Yesterday may not have gone Dems’ way, but it’s not the end of the effort. Republicans want to move ahead with crafting a GOP-dominated panel, but Dem leaders have said in no uncertain terms that they cannot and will not participate in such an exercise. And Republicans might have a little trouble convening what they call a “bi-partisan” panel if one party doesn’t show up.
I know Dems have a reputation for concession, but I expect them to stick to their guns on this one. According to The Note, when members of the House Democratic Policy & Steering Committee convened on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, pollster Stan Greenberg told them that his latest polling shows that 83% of the public supports an independent, 9/11-style inquiry in which membership would be evenly split between the parties.
“They’re going to have to give in,” this Democratic Member said, referring to the GOP congressional leadership. “The public doesn’t trust the government to investigate itself.”
Stay tuned.