The Estrada Precedent [WSJ Editorial]

Wall St. Journal ^ | March 6, 2003 | Staff

[RobFromGa]

U.S. Senate history will be made today when Republicans force a vote on ending the Democrats' month-long filibuster of Miguel Estrada.

The vote will signal an extraordinary new standard for confirming judges--not a simple majority of 51 votes but a super-majority of 60. That's the number required to shut off debate and move to a floor vote on the nomination. Mr. Estrada, who has the support of 55 Senators, will thus be prevented from getting the confirmation vote to which he's entitled under 200 years of Senate practice under the advise and consent clause of the U.S. Constitution.

[RobFromGa]

We live in interesting times.

[PianoMan]

Frist has got to be willing to muss up his hair a little bit.

[MJY1288]

What the democRATS are doing is going to change the course of our judicial system. Many great minds will opt out of public service due to the direction our nomination process is heading and I feel the democrats have been loading the courts with activist judges because they can't sell their policies to the public so they want judges to legislate from the bench and they want to do all they can to stop President Bush from getting his nominees confirmed

If Estrada is shot down and this current filibuster is successful, it will hurt this nation more than anything else in our time when it comes to public service. I believe many democrats are being pressured by the idealogs on the left who hold the purse strings and if allowed to succeed, this nation will be hurt beyond measure

[TLBSHOW]

Without the spectacle of bleary-eyed Senators staggering to the floor in the wee hours, the press corps (much less the public preoccupied with war) won't pay much attention.

[MEG33]

I agree.FREE ESTRADA!

[The Other Harry]

Right to the wall on this.

[Iconoclast2]

That's precisely what the lazy Rs don't seem to understand. They are going to have to work hard to get favorable coverage of this D perfidy. No 24/7 filibusters, no coverage, no D defeat.

[A Citizen Reporter]

" I feel the democrats have been loading the courts with activist judges because they can't sell their policies to the public"

I agree. I believe that the first time I realized this was with the Clarance Thomas hearings. The challege for us, I believe, is to translate this to the public. Once we get the public to understand that the RATS have been trying to subvert their will, by way of the courts.....we win. Maybe Estrada is one more step in the right direction.

[MJY1288]

I hope President does what he can to put pressure on the RATS in the Senate to confirm Estrada. I can understand why he hasn't been more forceful on the Estrada nomination, considering the current situation we are facing. I think it's a damn shame the Democrats are still obstructing these nominations and the Presidents plans for the economy.

This is the worst behavior I have ever seen from the democRATS and I believe they are going to pay BIG TIME in 2004 for their obstructionism.

Attack is all they know, Not a single proposal, just defiance and obstruction. The American people are smarter than they think and if there is two things the general public dislikes more than anything else is sore losers and obstructionism.

[Brett66]

They should've done this last week. The war on Iraq will be starting soon and noone will notice.

[kcvl]

Time For Pryor To Break With Party On Estrada
Sun, Mar 2, 2003

Column By David Sanders

Arkansas News Bureau

Both of Arkansas' U.S. senators are among the Democratic chorus of those opposing the Estrada nomination. During last fall's campaign for the U.S. Senate, much was made about then-candidate Mark Pryor's heartfelt conservatism. I remember receiving numerous telephone calls from one particular Pryor campaign staff member who tried to assure me that if elected, Pryor's conservative philosophy would guide him in the U.S. Senate. One would expect his conservatism to prompt his heart toward particular legislation and judicial nominees.

Pryor now has the opportunity to follow through on his proclaimed philosophical leanings and join three other conservative Democrats -- Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana -- who openly support Estrada's nomination.

Miguel Estrada is an able and well-qualified judicial nominee who deserves an up or down vote on the Senate floor. Sen. Mark Pryor can either show his independence from his party bosses or join the long list of Arkansas senators who talk conservative at home and join the liberal bandwagon while in Washington. More...

[TLBSHOW]

You should read the spin from last week. :>)

[TLBSHOW]

heck just read the spin from this week. today in fact////

Senate Republican aides said yesterday Republicans do not expect today's cloture motion to pass, but rather to serve as a tool to pressure Democrats who may eventually break from their party and oppose a filibuster. http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030306-360961.htm

[MJY1288]

I disagree, If President Bush gives the order for War on Iraq and the democRATS are still playing this game, This will be the time for Bill Frist and Orin Hatch to go "Nuclear" on the DemocRATS. The general Public doesn'y pay attention to these details like we do here at FR, They will see Tom Daschle and that pear legged "Carpet Bagger" Hillary going against our Commander-in-Chief during a time of war.

I say let them go. I even wonder if Terry McAuliffe shouldn't be encouraged by us on the right to keep up the good work! After all, Terry McAuliffe did such a great job in the Mid-terms of 2002 < /sarcasm > OFF. Who would think that President Bush would be this successful back in December of 2000?

What we are seeing is the sinking of the democratic party IMHO

[MEG33]

Great column. I hope conservatives in Arkansas are noticing.

[TLBSHOW]

That's precisely what the lazy Rs don't seem to understand. They are going to have to work hard to get favorable coverage of this D perfidy. No 24/7 filibusters, no coverage, no D defeat.


Bump

[eeman]

Bob Byrd ....is so far the only Democrat who has taken up the White House offer to meet with Mr. Estrada

Byrd: Mr Estrada, I have only one question to ask of you.

Estrada: Yes, Senator?

Byrd: Did you see me in "Gods and Generals?"

Estrada: Yes sir, that was a fine portrayal.

Byrd: Did you think my makeup looked good?

[RobFromGa]

LOL!

[Salvation]

**Mr. Estrada, who has the support of 55 Senators, will thus be prevented from getting the confirmation vote to which he's entitled under 200 years of Senate practice under the advise and consent clause of the U.S. Constitution.**

I pray that this precedent will not be set. The dims are trying to change the law about the way this all happens. Isn't it just a simple majority?

Bush should do a spring recess appointment if the dims vote down the cloture.

Arghhhhhh! I get so mad about this.

[Salvation]

**but rather to serve as a tool to pressure Democrats who may eventually break from their party and oppose a filibuster.**

Let's just hope the RNC is keeping track of all the dims who are causing the trouble and have Hispanics in their districts, so that when it is time for them to be re-elected this nonsense and discrimatory action can be brought out into the light to defeat yet one more dim.