Posted on 11/28/2004 2:36:14 PM PST by NeoCaveman
Senate Republicans, boldly confident after their Nov. 2 electoral success, are preparing to end months of frustrating delays over President Bush's judicial picks by hitting Democrats with Republican's ultimate legislative weapon.
But the Republican threat to neuter long-cherished filibuster rules by steamrolling Democrats is risky so potentially destructive that Capitol Hill calls it the "nuclear option." Democratic retaliation would be swift and long-lasting, raising the prospect of escalating clashes in a body that prides itself on gentility and cool judgment.
Even so, Republican leaders are signaling their intent to go nuclear in word and deed.
"We're going to use every tool we possibly can," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., who also unveiled a kinder, gentler phrase for the potential rules change: the "constitutional option."
"Republicans are loaded for bear, spoiling for a confrontation with Senate Democrats on judicial appointments," said Norm Ornstein, an expert on Congress for the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute. "For a lot of conservatives, this has really become an issue that leaves them passionate."
(Excerpt) Read more at timesargus.com ...
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Walp, this is a Bunch-O-Bullcrap!
Who things for one second that the Democraps wouldn't rape the Republicans up one side and down the other of the House and Senate if the tables were turned?
Eh?
H2BM sez: Who thinks for one second that the Democraps wouldn't rape the Republicans up one side and down the other of the House and Senate if the tables were turned?
OO sez: They already did - for 40 years. Some short memories out there.
I second that!!!
Bingo.
Before the election Frist stated they needed a 3 seat pickup. They exceeded that.
They should have a 50-51 majority after this election.
Slate is clean. They have 2 years to advance a conservative agenda and stop the filibusters.
I do not ask nor expect victory at every turn. I do demand they be willing to risk their futures to secure this agenda, as the Prez risked his election for the WOT. The Reps do that, they earn re-election to the majority in '06.
There are Dem Senators that face re-election in "red" states in '06. The GOP can use that to advantage.
We'll have a fight on our hands to proceed with this rules change, but my feeling is that conservatives are looking for a fight. Time to do this. We'll see what happens next session.
Who gives a rolling crap? Last I saw, you don't go out of your way to kowtow to LOSERS.
Who gives a rolling crap? Last I saw, you don't
go out of your way to kowtow to LOSERS.Exactly!
McConnell is about as corrupt as they come.
The republicans always threaten to get tough, then they back off when it is time. After many, many letdowns by the leaders of the republicans, I have no confidence this would be any different. All bark, no bite!
BUMPIN' THE BEST
BTT
You will find this of interest. Who knows, Frist and the Senate Republicans may even have the guts to follow through with their threat.
Righteo.
Great! Love that kinder, gentler phrase change. Now do it!
I'm waiting for him to invoke the "viking kitty option"
LONG, LONG, LONG OVERDUE.
Thanks.
I read through a few of the posts over at DU, and don't they know how to speak (or write) without using profanity? And don't they have any kind of rules or administrative oversight? Just about every other post I read was disgusting.
Just wonderin'.
I'll 2nd that. I won't believe this unless it is finalized.
The senate is a bunch of wussies.
They'll never change that rule until 3 days after the RATS happen to someday regain control.
Got it guys, thanks.
It got a little mixed up what with this congress and the next one.
January is gonna be an interesting month...
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