Jeff Merkley, George Bailey and an Online Petition

We've written a bit about efforts by U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to reform the filibuster so the Senate doesn't get bogged down so easily.

The Oregon Democrat today launched an online petition effort at BlueOregon to drum up support for a reform he and Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) are proposing for the filibuster. Merkley notes that one of their proposals is a requirement that senators who are participating in a filibuster stay on the Senate floor ala "Mr. Smith" in this Jimmy Stewart classic.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAjDmw6IrFg&feature=related[/youtube]

I don't know how much traction an online petition can have. But in the holiday can-do spirit of another Jimmy Stewart movie, we say go forth.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k_Vsmqf6X8[/youtube]