# For all those people who wanted a real fillibuster **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 26, 2010, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534 "2010-02-26T16:58:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534/21 "2010-02-28T02:25:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This could get really interesting. On the one hand, Bunning is pushing 80, which doesn’t bode well for his endurance. But he seems pissed off and mentally I don’t think he’s all there, so he may surprise people. Yeah, he’s pushing 80, but if there’s one thing long-time politicians have in spades, it’s endurance. Plus nowadays, we have Depends, a benefit old-time filibusterers didn’t have. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534/22 "2010-02-28T02:41:54Z")
One things I’m confused about on this episode is to break a filibuster(ie stop Bunning from speaking) the senate would only need a 3/5 vote for cloture. Bunning is the lone hold out. Wouldn’t it only take 2 other senators to vote for cloture against his one vote? Did he have other senators backing him allowing him to speak and hold up the process? Who was left in chamber when this happened? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534/23 "2010-02-28T02:57:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, good, then maybe you can explain it to me? Government help bad! Leave 'em to starve good! ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534/24 "2010-02-28T05:58:48Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Well, good, then maybe you can explain it to me? Well, here’s how I read it… > [@](#): > > Is unemployment extension not exactly the kind of thing stimulus package is for? Good on you Senator Bunning. The stimulus bill was pimped as a way for the government to ride in and help shore up the economy, through “shovel-ready” projects, help for industry and banks, and jobs. It would seem that a great way to keep consumers active and prevent financial ruin would be to extend/increase unemployment. Yea for Bunning! > [@](#): > > The only reason this extension isn’t coming out of the stimulus package is because it is politically necessary to pass the increased spending. Why touch the slush fund if you don’t have to? That fund is going to come in handy come election time. Because of the nebulous definition of the “stimulus fund” it could be put to many uses, and as we have already seen, many of them are for “pet projects” for the House and Senate. This makes them look like superstars. Because of the clear purpose and necessity of the unemployment extension, no would vote against it, so borrowing another $10 billion is easy and makes everyone look good. So, its a lock, and they may as well save the money in the stimulus fund to build some roads, so they can go to ribbon cuttings, which will hopefully bring votes. > [@](#): > > This is why there are going to be many new faces in congress in both parties come election time. This is a bunch of political bullshit, and smart people are sick of being screwed. And they will vote the bums out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-all-those-people-who-wanted-a-real-fillibuster/530534.md?page=1)