An old adage called “Miles’ Law” reads: Where you stand depends on where you sit. That’s a mild way of saying that politicians are often hypocrites. They profess to be acting on principle, but their perspective has a way of changing when they shift roles.
As Democrats solidify their power on Capitol Hill, after 12 years in purgatory, the wisdom of Miles’ Law is being demonstrated daily. Both parties have adopted tactics they condemned just a few months ago when employed by their rivals. And both have expressed shock – shock! – that the other side could be so perfidious.
Start with the decision of Senate Republicans to use a filibuster to block debate on a resolution criticizing the president’s Iraq policies. Last year, those very same Republicans were outraged at Democrats who filibustered several of President Bush’s nominees to the federal bench.
Republicans claim that nominations are a special case, that Democrats were abusing the Constitution and undermining the right of a duly elected president to shape the courts.
But Democrats rode to power last fall on rising disenchantment with the disaster in Iraq. By preventing debate on that issue, Republicans were doing exactly what they accused Democrats of doing – thwarting the will of the majority.
In fact, Republicans have suddenly fallen in love with the once-evil filibuster. Sen. Gordon Smith of Oregon threatens to use one if a spending bill fails to compensate rural counties containing large tracts of untaxable federal land. Sen. Pat Roberts might stall the same bill if it does not include $4 million to renovate an Air Force base back home in Kansas.
Democrats are equally disingenuous. Sen. Harry Reid, the party leader, was sputtering mad at the GOP filibuster over Iraq, charging that such a low tactic is only used “when you have something to hide or stall.” Which is exactly what the Democrats did on a number of Bush’s nominees: Hide their own weaknesses and stall for time.
A second demonstration of Miles’ Law: House Democrats rammed through six bills at the start of the session that were never considered by committees or subject to amendment. Yet for years, those same Democrats were furious and frustrated when Republicans leaders did the same thing to them.
This was a special case, argued the new speaker, Nancy Pelosi, we had to keep our campaign promises and we’ll never do it again. But it was a lame defense, given her frequent outbursts against similar Republican maneuvers.
