Defeat for extremes on left and right (conservative newspaper applauds compromise)

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | 05/25/05 | Editorial

[smoothsailing]

Defeat for extremes on left and right

The Virginian-Pilot

© May 25, 2005

Sen. John Warner and 13 centrist colleagues who yanked the U.S. Senate back from the edge of catastrophe deserve the thanks of a grateful nation.

Not only did the senators allow their beloved institution to preserve its long-standing traditions. But by patiently navigating a thorny dispute over use of the filibuster to derail judicial nominations, they showed that compromise and concern for the greater good are not dead arts.

In a political era that applauds stridency and treats negotiation as weakness, the bipartisan group of seven Republicans and seven Democrats revive hope that statesmanship can still, at times, trump politics.

Because the fight was more about anticipated vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court than a handful of stalled federal appeals courts nominations, those angling for a showdown aren't happy. Under the deal, a senator can still filibuster a judicial nomination in "extraordinary circumstances."

But several Bush nominees viewed as anathema to some Democrats now stand to be quickly confirmed. And, in the long run, the nation will be better served if a hand brake remains on lifetime appointments to the federal bench. It takes 60 votes to stop a filibuster, rather than the usual 51 needed for an up-or-down confirmation.

Presidents who move far outside the mainstream to select judicial nominees will do so at their own risk.

Virginia's junior senator, George Allen, joined those lamenting the compromise. A presidential hopeful, Allen does himself no harm by that position with many of the GOP stalwarts who will pick the party's 2008 nominee. Allen reflects the political culture of brinkmanship in which he came of age.

But showdowns over principles so dearly held that violating them threatens government operations, as Democrats promised, are rarely in the common good. Hopefully, if Allen remains in the Senate for many years, he will grow in appreciation of that fact.

That John Warner needs no instruction shows why three decades of Senate service, when he comes up for re-election in 2008, isn't long enough.

© 2005 HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com <

[zarf]

More mealy mush. Keep kicking the can jerk offs. Someday the body politic will explode with rage or simply check out with a whimper.

What this country needs is a major league political brawl.

[Lexinom]

Not only did the senators allow their beloved institution to preserve its long-standing traditions...

Longstanding and venerated traditions: since 1975.

(for those who don't know, the year the 60-vote filibuster-breaker rule was instated)

[John Valentine]

What this country needs is a major league political brawl.

This so-called compromise may have put it off, but it hasn't prevented it. Democrats will find it impossible to keep their end of the bargain once it sinks in to the Deaniac wing just how much they have given up. The crunch will come when they realize that Republicans expect and demand properly decorous and prompt hearings and a vote on two Supreme COurt nominations. This will happen when the Chief Justice retires as early as next month. Most likely, one of the present associate justices will be nominated to replace him, and a second nominaton will be required as a replacement for the newly elevated justice. This is on the near horizon. Stay tuned: the month of July may host more than the ususal type of fireworks in the nation's capitol. it could turn out to be the major political brawl we all want to see, not the mealy-mouthed platitudinous girly-man "why can't we all be friends" blah blah blah of the past two days.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

Well,

1. The Virginian-Pilot isn't exactly the Washington Times, except when it comes to the military.

2. John Warner is a big fish when it comes to military appropriations.

3. Norfolk is the one area that actually gains ships and personnel everytime there is a round of baseclosures.

I think John Warner can do pretty much as he pleases as far as Norfolk's major newspaper is concerned...as long as those BRACs keep missing the Norfolk area.

[smoothsailing]

Yes, the venerated "Byrd Precedent".(denote sarcasm)

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

But showdowns over principles so dearly held that violating them threatens government operations, as Democrats promised, are rarely in the common good. Hopefully, if Allen remains in the Senate for many years, he will grow in appreciation of that fact.

I think the twenty years prior to the Civil War are instructive on the subject of continually compromising to avoid a political showdown. No, I don't think this matter is of quite the same order of magnitude as the 19th century issues of slavery, tarriffs, and states' rights.

I merely submit for your consideration the idea that putting off inevitable polical confrontations only ensures they will pose a greater danger when they finally do occur.

[smoothsailing]

It will never be the Washington Times or the Pittsburgh Tribune Review,for that matter.

I stand by the conservative label,however.I worked for the Pilot for 10 years and there is nothing liberal about it.Admittedly,from time to time, it publishes off the wall editorials(this being such a time)

[Teplukin]

I merely submit for your consideration the idea that putting off inevitable polical confrontations only ensures they will pose a greater danger when they finally do occur.

Oh, there will be howling and screaming. But in the end we will prevail. And with conservative judges in the majority on the Supreme Court, we can finally drive the stake thru the heart of the welfare state.

Such things as abortion, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Housing vouchers, etc. will all be declared effectively null & void.

We will not have to legislate these programs out of existence. We can simply have the Supreme Court declare them illegal

[nopardons]

This is a "Conservative " newspaper? The editorial is right out of Sheets Byrd's play-book; word for word.

[smoothsailing]

See post#8

[nopardons]

Thanks for the explanation. :-)

[lentulusgracchus]

Democrats will find it impossible to keep their end of the bargain once it sinks in to the Deaniac wing just how much they have given up.

Concur. When the 'Rats inevitably upchuck all over Scalia as Bush's nominee for Chief Justice, the Pubbies need to pounce immediately, and paint the 'Rats as the ungracious, backstabbing scapegraces they are, and then just steamroll them to death on the cloture rules right away, while the charges are fresh in the public's minds.

That way, changing the rules on cloture becomes a prompt riposte and punishment condign for the 'Rats having gone back (inevitably) on their own deal, instead of a unilateral "nuclear option".

We feel your pain. Feel our tank treads.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

I was stationed in Little Creek for four years from 99 to 03. The Pilot is definitely not the Washington Post, no doubt.

[smoothsailing]

You were lucky,when I was growing up in Tidewater in the 50s and 60s,some businesses and even neighborhoods would not allow sailors in.

Fortunately, I came from a military family (Army) and was taught respect for the services.

[Colorado Buckeye]

I think the twenty years prior to the Civil War are instructive on the subject of continually compromising to avoid a political showdown. No, I don't think this matter is of quite the same order of magnitude as the 19th century issues of slavery, tarriffs, and states' rights.

I merely submit for your consideration the idea that putting off inevitable polical confrontations only ensures they will pose a greater danger when they finally do occur.

There is a political issue that has been put off and which has the potential to rise to the level of "slavery, tariffs, and states' rights." It's the borders/immigration issue. The pressure on this issue grows stronger every day. Here's a hint of where this may lead:
Mexicans or Terrorists? The Battle for Baldwin Park

[frankiep]

Concur. When the 'Rats inevitably upchuck all over Scalia as Bush's nominee for Chief Justice, the Pubbies need to pounce immediately, and paint the 'Rats as the ungracious, backstabbing scapegraces they are, and then just steamroll them to death on the cloture rules right away, while the charges are fresh in the public's minds.

I have absolutely no confidence in the republicans doing any such thing, no matter what happens.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

There is a political issue that has been put off and which has the potential to rise to the level of "slavery, tariffs, and states' rights." It's the borders/immigration issue.

Maybe, but until Bin Laden's crew or Hezbolloh infiltrate a team over the Mexican border and attempt an attack, I think the status quo remains unchanged.

Heck, if we managed to apprehend them before they carried out their attack, they'd be doing us a favor by coming in across the southern border.

[NavVet]

Long standing Tradition since 2000 or 2001, the year Tom Daschle first used the filibuster against judicial nominees. This is why Chavez' radio show has a listening audience consisting mainly of close relatives.

[lentulusgracchus]

I have absolutely no confidence in the republicans doing any such thing, no matter what happens.

I know what you mean; the 'Pubbies aren't called "the Stupid Party" for nothing.

However, the 'Ratic gracelessness and display of moral arrogance will disarm the Republican "moderates" and drive them back into the GOP caucus, handing the leadership of the situation to the conservatives.