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 ...
I doubt Spectre being on board.
As far as replacing one conservative Judge with another conservative judge neither Spectre nor the Democrats will object to that.
When and if the time presents itself t replace a liberal judge with a conservative judge, watch Spectre obstruct that.
Secondly, the GOP never filibustered judicial nominations,....
I agree, I am against making threats or issuing warnings in any situation under any circumsatances. The action should come with no warning, no mercy, and no quarter.
They may actually come out of the trenches this time.
The Republicans know that if they waffle and compromise and let the Demonrats intimidate them, they may very well get thrown out of power for it.
If on the other hand they start a really vicious battle and win it, the American public will get behind them *no matter what the issue*, just because they showed some leadership.
And... they know this is probably their last chance in the current cycle of things...
Mornin'! :^Dbump! bump! bump!
"Is it the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close?" And if that question shall be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn -- except on a measure or motion to amend the Senate rules, in which case the necessary affirmative vote shall be two-thirds of the Senators present and voting -- then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
ping for later
LOL, methinks they are confused!!
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