Lines Drawn for 30-Hour Debate (Senate Judicial Confirmations)

Roll Call ^ | November 6, 2003 | Paul Kane

[Lancey Howard]

I think the biggest Democrat stars will WANT to keep a low profile about their irrational and extremist obstructionism. Hillary should be lobbying for a 4am slot.

[Southack]

I like it! This is a great start, especially since we've already gotten our PBA ban signed into law, as well as already gotten our $87.5 Billion for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Liberia.

Now we can see just how far we have to push to get our Judges approved, even if it means shutting down the Senate.

...And we're doing this so gradually that we can't be portrayed as "railroading" the Dems.

It's the return of smart politics. We first got what we needed out of the Senate (i.e. money and PBA), and then we procede in such a manner as to get what we want without being portrayed in the press as being bullies.

[wattsmag2]

No recess, no respite, no nothing till they allow a vote.

[Southack]

"Furious at what they consider to be a double-cross, Senate Democrats are ready to mount what senior aides are calling a “major counteroffensive”


...


"Originally, Democrats had laughed off the idea of 30 hours of debate, with Minority Whip Harry Reid (Nev.), the floor captain for Democrats, suggesting he wouldn’t need any wing-men to help bear the burden. “I think that will be so easy I won’t need any help,” Reid said."

...

Compare. Contrast. We're furious...no, we're laughing....no we're uh...

[hobbes1]

Though I would point out, that IF a rule change has already been proposed, and filed anytime they get a 2/3 majority of those Present and Voting, they can change the Senate Rule on Filibusters.

[mhking]

This is more gutless bull squeeze from Frist. We need someone with more balls running the show. Frist has shown he can't do it.

And the freakin' White House won't push the damn issue!!!!

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[Southack]

c#42

[meyer]

GOOD! If the Dems are mad, then push their buttons and really send them over the edge...Let's show America that the democratic party sabotages its own citizens for POLITICAL manipulation! BRING IT ON!

Depriving the democrats of sleep should put them over the edge! There may be a few members of the party that will actually melt. Unfortunately, old crusty will still retain its shape while the witch within melts away.

[Tall_Texan]

Democrats, however, need only one Senator in the chamber, to speak or, more importantly, to object in the instance that a Republican speaker asks for unanimous consent to move to a vote on any of the contentious nominees.

And here's the trick. Offer the lone Democrat plenty of water, iced tea, lite beer, etc. while conducting the debate. When he leaves to go to the bathroom, two Republicans follow to lock him in the restroom. Then call for a quorum on passing the RULES CHANGE, summon your 51 Senators waiting in the wings and voila!...an end to the logjam.

I wanted them to do this to the Chicken Democrats in Texas too.

[hobbes1]

The Rule Change has to have been filed previously, (at least a day in advance...) but if it has, you dont need to get the dem out of the room.


you only need to have your 51 ready to run right in and vote, After the Quorom Call, or have the Call denied.


2/3 Present and Voting.

[meyer]

Offer the lone Democrat plenty of water, iced tea,...

If I recall, iced tea is very effective on democrats. :)

[Rebelbase]

"same sh^&* different day"

Yep. Looks like the GOP has polished its feathers and is going to strut around a bit before retiring without a fight.

[Tall_Texan]

At least one of them. I think some of the other Dems prefer drinking blood.

[Starboard]

it looks from here like the Republicans are (finally) making a sincere effort to stand up for Bush's nominees.

The timing of this is interesting and suggestive of "strategery." With big victories in the governships, positive economic stats, and the latest embarrasing flap for the Dems on the Intel Committee, it's a good time to mount a serious challenge to the Dems on the nominations. As usual, press coverage in the liberal media will portray Pubbies in a bad light, so its best to start this offensive from a position of strength.

[You Dirty Rats]

Thirty hours. Coincidentally, thirty hours is the amount of time set aside for debate after a successful cloture vote.

Maybe this is just an empty gesture -- or maybe not.

Good to see Senator COLEMAN is taking a major role! Some may have labeled him a RINO, but any Senator who backs these judicial nominees is OK in my book.

Somehow I think that the key will be Janice Rogers Brown. I just want to see Ted and the two Senators from California block a vote for this qualified African-American woman from California! THAT won't play very well!

[Moby Grape]

Frist is a moderate, and moderates by defintion are gonade challenged.

[Plutarch]

They’re even holding out the option of going into the wee hours of the morning Friday if their troops are up for it.

Well, if they are not "up for it", maybe they can relinquish their seats for Republicans who are.

[bmwcyle]

Here you forgot this every other time

[You Dirty Rats]

Just wait until the lone Democrat is Zell Miller! HE won't object!

Time to play hardball. If Frist has 51 on board, one way or the other the votes will take place -- by hook or (preferably) by crook.

Personally, I'm hoping our side uses some obscure rule, cheap trick, deception, lies, or plain old-fashioned hardball to prevail. The 'Rats have played dirty for years, and turnabout is fair play. Plus, I want to see Senator Byrd meltdown completely on the floor of the Senate after we pull some devious stunt to get these judges through.

[mwl1]

The important thing is to keep showing the pictures of the judges being smeared and obstructed -- a Hispanic, a white woman, a black woman, a Catholic white male etc etc

I say do this every 30 days, and escalate the pressure in 2004 with commercials in key states... RATs up for re-election next year will begin to jump ship... Daschle alone should be paying a fierce political price for this continued obstructionism in South Dakota.