The Filibuster Deal That Shamed Mitch McConnell

From Huffington Post:

Democrats not only got much of what they wanted in Tuesday's deal to move some of President Barack Obama's nominees through the Senate, they also got what they see as an important bonus -- casting Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in an unflattering light. 

The unfortunate moment culminated Tuesday morning, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) marched onto the Senate floor not with the leader from Kentucky opposite him to announce a deal to pass the stalled nominees, but with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). 

McCain was there, according to several sources who spoke about private, behind-the-scenes talks on the condition of anonymity, because he and and several other Republicans grew fed up with their own side's stalling tactics and went around McConnell (R-Ky.) to cut the deal with Reid and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), avoiding a "nuclear option" rules change to pass the nominees. 

Reid declined to gloat, but he went out of his way to praise McCain effusively on the Senate floor. 

Democratic aides were less circumspect. 

"Today was really, really bad for him," said one, revealing that McConnell was cut out of the deal and rebuffed by Reid twice when he tried to personally work his way back in -- including just minutes before the Nevada lawmaker went to the floor with McCain...

So much for McConnell's leadership skills. First he couldn't make good on making Obama a 1-term president, now this. 

The Wrap-Up: December 14, 2011

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Someone needs to make Lowes aware that an apology where you do NOT admit any wrong-doing doesn't count as an apology.

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Members of Occupy Wall Street will be meeting with the Congressional Progressive Caucus this week. Hopefully this is the beginning of this movement having a more concrete effect on policy-making.

The parents of Tyler Clementi made an appearance on NBC to talk about what happened with their son.

According to their own financial records, the so-called National Organization for Marriage is more astro-turf than grassroots.

Mahlon Mitchell

Political gay-bashing just doesn't have the pay-off it once had (not even for conservative Republicans), as Rick Perry is finding out.

A contender may be emerging in Wisconsin to fight against Governor Scott Walker who is being recalled, but the race is still shaping up.

If you're wondering why Congress gets nothing done, it's because we have Senators talking about bestiality. This waste of time is brought to you by James Inhofe (R-OK).

Liberty here in the United States is taking a lot of hits at the hands of Congress.

National Public Radio takes a look at Mitt Romney's talking out of both sides of his mouth gay rights problem.

Sgt. Garon (right) with Mitt Romney

The gay Vietnam veteran (Army Sgt. Robert Garon) who confronted Mitt Romney on marriage equality spoke to MSNBC's Thomas Roberts about the encounter.

A lesbian couple, with their two daughters, talked to the mayor of Troy, Michigan (who started a firestorm with homophobic comments made on FaceBook) in a city council meeting. Judging by the audience response, I'm pretty sure I know what they think of the mayor.

And lastly, AfterElton takes a look at the year's most memorable LGBT quotes, from bitter to the sweet, the funny to the down-right strange.