Posted on 11/19/2004 7:56:20 AM PST by piperpilot
I have been listening to The Tony Snow radio show over the internet this morning. Tony is interviewing Trent Lott, who, it seems to me, is doing some tough talking about the need to implement the so-called "nuclear" option to stop the Dems' judicial nominee filibustering, and also to step up efforts to implement a more conservative agenda generally. These statements struck me as an indication that maybe just maybe the Republicans are starting to break free of the shackles of 40+ years as the minority party. I can only hope that, like W, he means what he says and that the Dems are in for a good, old-fashioned whoopin'. I think also that Specter's rather contrite statement yesterday about the President's judicial nominees that was foisted upon him by other members of the Senate Judiciary Committee is an indication that the conservatives in the party are ready to flex their muscles and start fighting for our agenda . . . for a change.
Perhaps the old-line GOPers are threatened by the likes of Tom Coburn and the other incoming GOP Freshmen and suddenly woke up with a pair of testicles.
If you read Specter's final statement, he even hinted that the GOP has the 51 votes to do this. That has to send chills down the Democrats spines.
Ok, where on the net can you listen to Tony?
If they had a spine, they would have sent Specter packing. I hope I'm wrong and they do get more aggressive, but Bill Lott-like Frist blew it by not taking a decisive action.
In the face of the US dollar reaching an all time low against the Euro, President Bush is poised to sign off on an increase in the Fed debt limit.
The Republicans haven't grown a spine, they've acquired the beer muscle of a mob of drunken sailors.
No offense to sailors intended.
Trent "Invertebrate" Lott has always talked a good game.
I have never seen him actually follow through on his tough talk. He needs a little less talk, and a lot more action.
Trent Lott was a very balsy guy back when he was a Representative. He totally became a panty-waist when he became a Senator, especially over the whole Impeachment debacle and his reaction to his "racist" Strom Thurmond statement. So, if he's growing some stones again, good to hear, but let's see if he and Frist can walk the walk once the NY Times and Wash Post call them every name in the book.
No. They haven't.
Specter will be Judiciary chairman.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1283207/posts
Are they going to fight for the smaller, lower spending, less intrusive government that they talk about in their platform? If so, then yes, they have grown a spine. If no, the only thing growing is their noses.
As a strong opponent of Specter's appointment to Chair the Judiciary Committee and having observed and participated in GOP politics for a number of years; and, I might add, being familiar with the GOP chronic lack of spine, a lay GOP supporter can only hope it is an indication that, finally, there is a spinal embryo there. I, too, saw the press conference, after the fact, on C-Span last night-there certainly seemed to be a lot of contrition and solemnity in the occasion. But, we'll see.
If they humiliate him and not give him the chairmanship he could prove a huge thorn in the butt. But this way, they have the leverage with him. Just my opinion, mind you...
I'll believe it when I see it. Yesterday's news already brought the thoght/speculation that W's tax reform will have nothing to do with instituting a flat tax(my preference) or national sales tax. That means that the present tax system will remain in effect with added special interest breaks and deductions, etc. In my mind, the present tax system has to go in order to open the door to reduction of government and all related reform efforts.
If the Specter spectacle was any indication, the answer is thus far NO.
However, the true GOP Spinal Litmus Test will be revealed when (and if) conservative Supreme Court Justices are appointed and (cough, hack)...approved.
thoght=thought
Every six months or so Trent Lott comes out with a ferocious speech and then that's the last we hear from him. History suggests that he never follows through. That's basically why he lost his leadership position, because when the Dems attacked him he had very few conservative supporters. He had just caved in too often, always in the clinch.
Many of us have speculated that hillary has blackmail materials on him, which were used at the time of the impeachment. Indeed, there have been rumors what they are.
It will be a hundred times harder to remove Specter from the post later than it would be to deny it to him now. That's one of my chief reasons for objecting to the appointment.
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