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Published May 08, 2017
By Greta Van Susteren
Let's go "Off the Record" for just a minute. Talk about changing your tune, which is really a polite way to say "hypocrite." Democratic senators invoked the nuclear option today, stripping Republicans of their ability to block nominees through filibusters. Now, it has been in the Senate precedent for over 200 years. Whether this is good or bad is their business, the Senate's business, and not the point of me talking to you now "Off the Record."
I will get to my point first. I will get to my point in a minute, but first this: Remember this 2005 video, when Republican senators tried the same move, the same stunt, to invoke the nuclear option? Democrats went wild with rage, even accusing the Republicans of a quest for absolute power. Here is then-Senator Obama leading the charge:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: That the majority chooses to end the filibuster, if they choose to change the rules and put an end to democratic debate, then the fighting and the bitterness and the gridlock will only get worse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Now, that's 180 degrees different from what President Obama said today. Today, he likes the idea of a nuclear option.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: So, I support the step a majority of senators today took to change the way that Washington is doing business. More specifically, the way the senate does business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
And President Obama is not the only one changing his tune. Other Democratic leaders weren't keen on the nuclear option back in 2005, either.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SENATOR HARRY REID, MAJORITY LEADER: The filibuster is far from a procedural gimmick. It's part of the fabric of this institution we call the Senate. Some in this chamber want to throw out 214 years of Senate history in the quest for absolute power.
SENATOR JOE BIDEN: I say to my friends on the republican side you may own the field right now, but you won't own it forever. And I pray God when the Democrats take back control we don't make the kind of naked power grab you are doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Oops.
And of course, Republicans are just as bad. Nearly all of them love the idea of the nuclear option in 2005. But today, they bark about it, saying it is going to destroy the Senate. That is a switch. Now, as an aside, the only senator to oppose the nuclear option in 2005 and oppose it now is Senator John McCain.
But here's my point. It's insulting that the politicians think that we are that dumb. We heard what both sides said last time. I hate to say it, but they are a bunch of phonies. That's my "Off the Record" comment tonight.
If you have an important story or issue you think I should take "Off the Record," go to GretaWire.com and tell us about it.
https://www.foxnews.com/transcript/greta-dems-gop-reveal-phoniness-in-nuke-option-battle