Why doesn't Harry Reid force an old-fashioned filibuster that could make Republicans look silly? Because he can't.

The Senate Majority Leader must get 60 votes to start the health care debate -- which he aims to try on Saturday -- and he'll need that many again when it comes time to try and stop the debate for an up-or-down vote.

So why not make Republicans really filibuster, provoking the spectacle of marathon speechmaking? Because it's just not that simple.

Under Senate rules, filibusterers need to do no more than call for endless rounds of quorum calls. The only drama for television would be watching successive roll calls, and that's nothing like the Hollywood scenario we saw with Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

No, as we point out in today's Video Trail Mix (produced by CQ-Roll Call's Andrew Satter), Reid is doing all that he can do -- collect 60 votes for a super-majority that allows a final vote.

Meet Up with Craig and Helen Thomas
Get a signed copy of "Listen Up, Mr. President"
Saturday (11/21) 1:00-3:00 PM ET
American History Museum, Washington DC

Craig looks at how attack ads seem to have backfired in Tuesday's elections.

Craig on "Imus in the Morning"
Thursday (11/5) 6:30 AM EST
Listen Live: WABC-AM (NYC)
(TV simulcast on FOXBusiness)

It's not like this president is the first to target unfriendly media. Video Trail Mix looks back at other presidential media wars.

Craig defines the hysterical pundit syndrome. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

In this Trail Mix Video Craig ponders the advent of "czarism" in the White House. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

Craig on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann"
Tonight (9/15) MSNBC 8:50 PM EDT 

The futility of trying to "fix" Afghanistan could be seen 35 years ago in one of John Huston's best films. Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter.

It's a dubious honor to be sure, but only one more day of voting left to elect Craig the official FishbowlDC Class Clown.. http://bit.ly/2sNIY0

Now on Politics (Un)Seriously:
Uncle Sam Meets Helen Thomas

Craig proposes the Trail Mix Health Plan for making Co-ops work. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter).

New on the Trail Mix Blogroll: 
Carol's Southern Spice (ct)
Liberator Campaign (Patton's Boston Regiment)
Same Time Tomorrow (Sean Holton, aka "Lard")

 

In the dark recesses of Trail Mix headquarters, Craig comes up with an intriguing theory about the return of the Clinton brand and what it means for the next presidential election.
(Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

If lawmakers really want to pass health care, they would work through their August recess. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)

Craig on "Imus in the Morning"
Friday (7/31) 6:30 AM EST
Listen Live: WABC-AM (NYC) / WJZW-FM (DC)
(Simulcast on RFD-TV)

Craig answers those who complain that President Barack Obama is making us more like Europe. (Produced by CQ's Andrew Satter)