Top Senate Democrat says can't block Alito (Reid)

Reuters ^ | 1/27/06 | Thomas Ferraro

[frankjr]

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said on Friday he and fellow Democrats lack the votes to block President George W. Bush's nomination of conservative appeals judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Everyone knows there is not enough votes to support a filibuster," Reid said, referring to the procedural roadblock that some Democrats said should be used to put off a vote on Alito.

The Nevada Democrat said, however, he would vote for such a measure to at least send a message of opposition to the nominee. That vote will come on Monday with the full Senate confirmation vote expected on Tuesday.

"I think it is an opportunity for people to express their opinion as to what a bad choice it was to replace (retiring Justice) Sandra Day O'Connor" with Alito, Reid told reporters after a speech at a Washington hotel.

Democratic Sens. John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, both of Massachusett, publicly pushed for a filibuster on Thursday, drawing scorn and ridicule from Republicans and opposition from some of their own colleagues.

Kerry, who unsuccessfully challenged Bush for the White House in 2004, made his pitch for a filibuster while overseas for a world economic forum.

"I think it was a historic day yesterday," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "It was the first ever call for a filibuster from the slopes of Davos, Switzerland.

[frankjr]

"I think it was a historic day yesterday," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "It was the first ever call for a filibuster from the slopes of Davos, Switzerland.

[Mr. Brightside]

How many Republican votes do we need to get the Senate to filibuster?

I say we call their bluff and nuke the filibustering for good.

[SF Republican]

from the slopes of Davos thats a typo - it should be from the dopes of Davos

[marlon]

Ouch that had to hurt!

[Another Thought]

TA DA!

[Concho]

Yes it is all different when the Congress is a majority of Democrat. But, now that the majority has shifted, the Dems are crying foul.

[Izzy Dunne]

he would vote for such a measure to at least send a message of opposition to the nominee.

WTF kind of message is that, Senator Reid?

If you expect him to take your "message' into account on any future cases, then why shouldn't he take into account the message from the majority?

STFU, Reid.

[syriacus]

It was the first ever call for a filibuster from the slopes of Davos, Switzerland.

John Kerry would rather hobnob
With the Jet Set, than do his day job
His presence at Davos
Won't draw any "Bravos,"
The guy's a well-manicured snob.

Kerry avoids Senate duties
(Afraid he'll catch Democrat cooties?)
He knows he's elected
But instead he's selected
To put on his Swiss-made ski booties.

Kerry can pretend he's doing important things in Davos, but this is what his platonic friend, Alexandra Polier (the "intern" ) said about Davos (where she met Kerry almost exactly 5 years ago.)

I met John Kerry for the first time in January 2001, in Davos, Switzerland...

Although it presents itself as a serious policy machine, Davos’s real point is, of course, networking,

[hsalaw]

Double ouch!

[southernerwithanattitude]

Senator Reid, does this mean you don't like this nominee? Best I recall we didn't like the ones Clinton sent up but we held our noses and voted them in.

[maggief]

"I think it was a historic day yesterday," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "It was the first ever call for a filibuster from the slopes of Davos, Switzerland.

I'm no McClellan fan but he hit this one out of the park.

[maggief]

"Here's a thought ..." {{{crickets}}}

[2nd amendment mama]

I actually like the next line better:

"Maybe Senator Kerry needs to be spending more time in the United States Senate so he can refresh his memory on Senate rules," McClellan said. "The Senate rules say you have to have the votes in order to filibuster."