Where’s the GOP Backbone in the Senate?

Seamax News ^ | 10/29/2003 | Brendan Lantry

[Hugenot]

In the ongoing battle to nominate experienced, capable, and, dare we say, diverse candidates to the judiciary that will interpret the Constitution and not attempt to re-write it, the Bush administration and Republicans in the Senate have gone only half way to completing the process.

Democrats led by Charles Schumer and Ted Kennedy blocked and filibustered the nomination of Miguel Estrada (an Hispanic American) over a 22 month span, to the point where he removed himself from the nomination. Now, a similar battle is looming for the nomination of Janice Rogers Brown (an African American).

President Bush should be commended for nominating judges like Miguel Estrada and Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit Court.

Why are the Democrats fighting these nominations so bitterly?

Reason #1: The D.C. Circuit Court has been at times a “feeder” court for nominees to the U. S. Supreme Court. Judges Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg served on the D.C. Circuit Court. Democrats don’t want to see non-liberal minority faces in high judicial positions, that is judges who will not legislate the liberal agenda from the bench.

Reason #2: The use of the filibuster in blocking these nominations is preventing an “up and down” vote on the nominations. Ted Kennedy and Chuck Schumer do not have the votes to win an straight vote, so they found a way for Democrats to obstruct the process.

It takes a majority vote (at least 51) to pass a nomination, which the Republicans have, but Senate rules require 60 votes to break a filibuster, which the Republicans do not have. So, Democrats can continue to hide behind their obstruction.

It’s about time that Republicans make the Democrats stay in the Senate and debate the issue in a true filibuster and carry it on MSNBC, Fox News, or CNN. Make Chuck Schumer and Ted Kennedy and their ilk put a public stamp on their opposition by forcing a vote for this nomination once and for all. It would be good to finally see the Republicans in the Senate make the Democrats sweat a little under the glare of the TV lights.

[Keith in Iowa]

The GOP's backbone is in a jar of formaldehyde, in a cabinet next to the freezer where their testicular fortitude is stored for future use.

[WillRain]

Except the Senate isn't setting it's own rules, it's being governed by the rules of previous Senates which has long been considered by the courts to be unconstitutional. Each Senate is entitled to make it's own rules.


Now, if Frist can't muster the RINO's to vote for a change, then we are stuck with things as they are, but constituionally they can with 50 votes + Cheny - change the fillibuster rule.

[WillRain]

You are right. Those who are being activly fillibustered (Owens, Kuhl? Pickering?) are on the floor, the others are just miving through the comittee more slowly because the GOP knows whats coming.

They have not been blocked in comittee since the GOP won the majority.

[deport]

We need leadership in the White House and the Senate, both positions now are held by empty suits.

---

In your opinion when was the last time they were held by full suits? And who were the occupying the suits?

[AbsoluteJustice]

Yes they can form their own rules within the limits of the Constitution but cannot change the constitution without ratifying it and this is a task in itself.

[Paulus Invictus]

Well, the Pubbies did push through the Leavitt vote. That's a plus.

[BooBoo1000]

I go all of the way back to the Big War,, Ie Archie Bunker, and the last time I can remember the country really going one was was then. Everyone working, and doing their part to support our troops. Since then it has been a bunch of losers, that cannot make it in business, or are people who have spoent their entire lives rooting in the public Trough. ie Bill and Hillary. So I guess I am stupid to expect anything but politics as usual.

Don't Democrats ever have heart attacks, is Teddy to pickled to fall over.Here is Schumer, a real piece of work, got his job because his opponent could not keep his mouth shut. Oh well, comes the revolution, and these guys will be the first to go..

[jimkress]

Well, the Pubbies did push through the Leavitt vote.

No, the democRATs decided they didn't want the negative publicity on that nomination. They thought it would permanetly brand them as only being obstructionist. So, they viewed it as a throw away vote and allowed it to go through.

It had nothing to do with republican courage or determination - of which there is little (to none) in evidence.

[Paulus Invictus]

According to news reports, it was a RAT retreat as they knew they couldn't beat the Pubbies in this one. The retreat included Hitlery.