Posted on 05/24/2005 12:02:28 PM PDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
Democrats have filibustered many of Bush's Circuit Court nominees for over 2 years now. They have claimed that judicial nominees such as Owens, Brown and Pryor are just too extreme, out of the mainstream and unqualified to be put on the federal bench. Now it appears that they are going to do a 180 degree turn and allow an up or down vote on them.
Weren't these judicial nominees of Bush just days and weeks ago unqualified and too extreme to be allowed an up or down vote? What has happened?
That Democrats would lack the backbone to stick with what they truly believe about these judicial nominees says alot about them.
Evidently they, at the very least, lack principal.
I, and most Americans, have some respect for those who will fight for what they believe concerning American politics. What isn't respectable is one who says/believes one thing and does another.
Like I said, this says alot about Democrats.
Guess they aren't too extreme anymore.
Yes, isn't it magical how they became non-extremist judicial nominees overnight? /sarcasm off.
Theyre buying time. They want to retain the fillibuster and they want to make sure Bush never appoints a Supreme Court nominee. All they can do is stall.
This should be brought to the attention of their core constituencies and become an election issue.
True enough. I would probably do the same if I were one of them. (Ecch!)
I am glad the Dems (many of them) seem pretty displeased also. But I do get profoundly disappointed, when I realize that Bush's attempt to address the very real problem of the courts is being sabotaged by some in his own party.
If we can't do it now, then when can we?
I know there are positives also. but I don't really see much to cheer about right now.
Too many Republicans don't have the spine. It's been said a million times here today.
My initial reaction was disgust with our Republicans but I'm beginning to see the method to their madness now. I think the Democrats are going to drive themselves right over a cliff when it comes to the Supreme Court nominees - it will be closer to mid terms and far more devastating. Though it may not appear this way now - the Republicans are setting the Dems up for a big fall.
Good idea. There is no reason why it can't be.
And I think the Democrats' constituents hold their leaders much less to the fire than do the Republicans'.
Probably, the abortion lobby, etc. feels that the Dems can say or do ANYTHING as long as they keep the status quo in the courts. the Dems need that support, and those dollars, to survive.
So what if no one knows or understands what the Constitution says or how government is supposed to work, they say.
The Republicans are better served by dragging this thing out. When this whole debate starts up again the Democrats are going to be be arguing the losing side of an argument right before the mid-terms. The Move-on groups are going to kick in and lose Democratic seats just like they did in the last election. The Republicans are sitting pretty right now. I relize it doesn't seem that way, but wait and see how this pans out. The Republicans are not stupid and did not enter this debate not knowing the strategy going forward. IMO.
If you look at it honestly, you can see there are none.
The Dems have their marching orders: no supreme court appointees for Bush! Period! All this maneuvering is a tune-up for SCOTUS. They have to stall on the fillibuster vote, which is why they signed up for a truce to at least the next election. There is NO way they want that vote, and they gave up very little for this hiatus they won.
What McCain and his lackeys did was disgraceful. If that snake gets the nomination for Prez I'll quit the Party for good. Disgusting.
How so? They definitrly have the votes now. How can you be sure theyll have it right before the midterms??!
I wouldnt be surprised if DeVine or Vuconivich or Warner flips. You ride the hot hand, you don't sit on it. Every poker player knows that.
I have said more than once, I wish we had a party with the Republicans' principles and the Democrats' chutzpah.
Question: Let's say that the Republicans win enough seats in 2006 to bring about a 60 vote cloture. What's to stop senate rules from changing to require a super-majority (67) to bring about cloture?
Ain't gonna happen. The only chance he has after this stunt is to try to make a go from a "centrist" party, which would be formed by all of the "middle of the roaders" from both parties. Picture a McCain / Kerry ticket in 08.
Start with a 60 vote majority against the rule.
The arguments against Bushes Republican appointees are all cultural: Abortion, gay marriage, etc. These are all cultural issues where the Democrats have in the past and will continue to lose on. Rather than excercise the the "nuclear option" the Republicans have let them out to fight another day... But it is a fight that politically Democratic politicians don't want to fight but their left wing fringe (who control the purse strings) are forcing them to fight. Despite the Democrat's rhetoric to the contrary, they know this debate is and will continue to hurt them. That's what I think the Republicans realize. Why excercise the "Nuclear Option" when the Democrats will blow themselves up?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.