The Republicans do not hide their contempt for Democratic values, tactics, strategies, or for Democrats in Congress, the Presidency, or elsewhere.
They have made it clear that their single major priority is to destroy Obamacare; for this alone, they are willing to shut down all but a few essential Governmental offices.
Moreover, they continue to prevent most of Obama's nominees from being confirmed and working at their appointed positions. Many months have elapsed with major agencies or courts not having key personnel.
Now, the only way this can change is if the Democratically-controlled Senate stands up to the Republican-controlled House. This has rarely happened since Obama's presidency.
Until Reid and the Senate Democrats reform the Senate rules to allow a majority vote for routine matters like confirming presidential appointments, with no filibuster except those involving a speaker holding the floor and speaking for many hours, as traditionally done in decades past.
In addition to requiring an actual, rather than a "threat to filibuster," Reid & peers should also change the rules governing Senate "holds" on nominees. Currently, "holds" are permitted on nominees and bills, if a single Senator requests an indefinite hold. In this way, putting a "hold" on a nominee has the same function as tabling a bill in committee - - it kills the nomination or legislation being considered.
President Obama should have a strong ally in the Senate, helping him to keep the Republican dominated House at bay. But instead, Reid and the democrats have opted to become neutered; they have given up on the idea of standing up to the Republicans, and in so doing, they have given up on the idea of supporting President Obama's congressional proposals.
It is not too strong to say that the Democratic leadership in the Senate has betrayed the country and the President, by refusing to modify Senate rules in such a way that, at least, the President's nominees may have confirmation votes by full Senate, and that filibusters and holds will not be able to close down the Senate on a daily basis.