Senate Republicans Will Force 'Real' Filibuster During 30-Hour Session

Talon News ^ | 11/10/03 | Jimmy Moore

[Pan_Yans Wife]

PING

[Tai_Chung]

Why stop at 30 hours?

[nwrep]

What about the nuclear option?

[samtheman]

It's not a REAL filibuster (or attempt to break one) if it's limited in advance to x-number of hours.

[Brian S]

Bullcrap... A "real" filibuster would not have a "time-limit"!

This is nothing more than piss-poor theatrics...

[TomGuy]

Circus or lead balloon.

It sounds like this "event" will be more detrimental (physically) to the Republicans than to the Democrats. What, exactly, is it expected to accomplish? Are they going to force a vote on the nominees? If not, it is an effort in futility.

[Mo1]

As expected, Senate Democrats say they are concerned that the U.S. Senate will be unable to recess by November 21 as planned.

I guess to the Dems, going on vacation is more important then doing their job

[OXENinFLA]

Make some popcorn!!!!

[truthandlife]

Make a prediction on what will happen after the 30 hours. Who will get the upper hand? Democrats or Republicans or will nothing be accomplished?

[xrp]

They need to make them debate for infinity at this point. Senate Rs need to grow some pairs.

[doc30]

The 30-hour limit may well be a feint by the Republicans. THey claim 30 hours in hopes that the Democrats plan for 30 hours, but really intend to go until the issue is resolved. Also, this real fillibuster may generate the publicity needed for broader suppoert of the "nuclear option."

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

...starting at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday and ending at midnight Friday morning.

I'm not up to speed on a lot of parliamentary procedure...but isn't it sort of stupid to let the opposition know when the bloody thing is going to end?

I thought that the real beauty of a filbuster was the fact that nobody really knows when it is going to end.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Both branches of the party want to appear busy, but neither wants to really work at anything but spending our money.

[Consort]

30 hours? They gave away their exit strategy....bad move.

[TomGuy]

However, Senate Republicans will force those who have prevented a vote on these judicial nominees to conduct a filibuster beginning Wednesday evening. It is possible that no Democrats will show up for the special session. If that happens, then the 51 Republican Senators could offer a unanimous consent motion to confirm the judicial nominees.

So, all the Dems need to do is keep 1 active Dem in the Chamber to prevent a "unanimous consent" motion. 50 Dems for 30 hours. That would give each one roughly 20 minutes of duty time during the 30-hour circus.

Of course, the Pubbies should force a continuing filibuster immediately following the 30-hour marathon. Will they?

[I wouldn't bet the farm on that; I wouldn't even play that on a $1 lotto ticket. No, Pubbies will cave after the 30 hours and status quo will continue.]

[InterceptPoint]

I'm not up to speed on a lot of parliamentary procedure...but isn't it sort of stupid to let the opposition know when the bloody thing is going to end?

As I understand it all 50 Republicans have to be in attendance for the 30 hours and only 1 or 2 Democrats. If there were fewer Republicans there would not be enough Senators present to constitute a quorum and the Democrats that are present could then move to end the session. Clearly this is not something that could go on for much more than 30 hours.

As to the nuclear option - there is no nuclear option without 100% Republican support for a change from the 60% rule that is in effect by default right now to a 50% rule on ending filibustering of judicial nominations. At this point I don’t think there is the necessary 100% Republican support and not enough Zell Millers to make up the difference. The only hope is to up the number of Republican Senators to something like 55 or more in the next election and then the nuclear option will be a real option in 2005. I think that is where we are headed.

[NutCrackerBoy]

The fact that this is a filibuster "for show" does not bother me.

What will be the reaction of Americans? I believe this could be the first time in history that exposure of confirmation obstruction will be elevated to the level it deserves. It is possible that a loud clamoring of the American people could make the filibuster a success.

Predictions? Unfortunately, a lot depends on how the national media covers it. Recent events convince me that NYTCBSNBCABC will give this the absolute cold shoulder.

In truth, the American people should clamor for breaking the logjam, and if they would take half a minute to study it, they would know the positions of these judges are very compatible with their own.

I fear the American people will yawn once again and turn the channel to Friends reruns.

[headsonpikes]

Hey! No fair! You've been paying attention!

[samtheman]

The 30-hour limit may well be a feint by the Republicans. THey claim 30 hours in hopes that the Democrats plan for 30 hours, but really intend to go until the issue is resolved. Also, this real fillibuster may generate the publicity needed for broader suppoert of the "nuclear option.

I dearly hope you are right. That this move is part of an actual plan and not a mere publicity stunt. And I'll be the first to say loud and clear "I was wrong" if you do turn out to be right.

But right now I have my doubts. I don't trust Frist. He seems far too milk-toast-ian for a real fight.

But I hope I'm wrong. I greatly hope I'm wrong.