Posted on 01/19/2005 1:30:15 PM PST by fidelio
BC-Senate-Rice, 14th Ld,320 URGENT Rice given approval by Senate panel; Democrats will delay confirmation at least until next week Eds: TOPS to UPDATE with Democratic plans By BARRY SCHWEID AP Diplomatic Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats intend to delay Condoleezza Rice's confirmation as secretary of state at least until next week rather than grant her Inauguration Day approval, a spokesman said Wednesday. "There are a number of Democrats not on the committee that want to have a chance to debate her nomination a couple of hours," said Manley, a spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. He said Democrats would not seek to prevent Rice's confirmation as the nation's top diplomat, and he predicted her approval within a matter of days. Rice cleared the Foreign Relations Committee earlier in the day, 16-2, a lopsided vote that belied hours of skeptical questioning by Democrats critical of President Bush's foreign policy and his conduct of the war in Iraq. By contrast, Manley said he expected that Democrats would assent to confirmation on Thursday just after the inauguration of two members of Bush's second-term Cabinet. They are Mike Johans, nominated as secretary of agriculture, and Margaret Spellings, named to take over as education secretary. The Senate developments unfolded as the nation's outgoing top diplomat, Secretary of State Colin Powell, bid farewell to the workers he called his "family" at the State Department. Powell has not yet formally resigned his post, and isn't expected to do so until Rice is formally sworn in. "You were my troops, you were America's troops," the former Army general told the workers. "You are the carriers of America's values." He called Rice "a dear friend" and said she would bring "gifted leadership" to the department. Rice surmounted two days of sometimes contentious questioning - mostly by Democrats - on the administration's prosecution of the war.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
But does Frist blow through the "Anonymous Hold" or even just a regular "Hold" that some Senator (obviously a Dim) would use?
I read they are delaying the AG vote too....God forgive me, I hate these people.
"We haven't finished making ourselves looking like f---ing idiots."
xactly.
What mean and petty little brats.
Put me in the "not surprised" column, too.
I kept saying what a blessing it would be when the vote was taken, keeping in mind they might do this.
I'm not surprised by that news either
Remember 4 years ago .. they did the same delay tactics
The prez is a patient man. I have to say, were I him, this would send me over the edge.
The snobs who don't will live to want that their Party does never do that again!
Trifling!
What work was going to get done in the Senate tomorrow anyway? Most of the day is going to be taken up with Inaurgural stuff.
Let the Dems crow about their 'power', they'll find they've won a phyrric victory because Dr. Rice and Mr. Gonzales will be confirmed, anyway. Then, in 2006, the American people will go to the polls and slap the Dems down for their juvenile behavior.
To tribal Dems she's just another Republican to be slimed at every opportunity. To the vast middle, she's the first black woman in the job and they're pretty proud of her (as they ought to be). This isn't going to play well and all the MSM aren't going to be able to spin it any other way. Clinton may have been a ruthless, immoral SOB but at least he didn't have a political tin ear.
"But does Frist blow through the "Anonymous Hold" or even just a regular "Hold" that some Senator (obviously a Dim) would use?"
Let the Demos show out over this. It will only mean more States in the Red column for the next election.
It is obvious that you don't have much of a clue as to the makeup of the Dems in the Senate today. You cannot compare those years of Dole to today. When Mitchell was in charge of the Dems in the Senate there were problems but nothing like has hit the Senate since HILLARY was elected in 2000 and took over. As for Lott, he was spineless and didn't have a clue after Hillary hit the Senate. Not to mention he gave into Clinton on the budget and took NO other Republicans with him when he made the deal.
I don't care who the Dems put out front -- Hillary is behind the scenes pulling the strings. Been that way since the first vote after she was sworn in and the Dems stopped by her for a nod yes or no on votes -- right down on the Senate floor in front with the leadership. Those not wanting her advise walked down the Republican side. I watched her tell them how to vote day after day in her first month and thereafter on C-SPAN.
"I thought Republicans controlled Senate".....
I have a feeling the Dems are going to do this over and over with every appointment, every bill, and make life for GOP's hell. I hope they cut them at the knees early and show them who is in control. What a waste of tax payers money for them to vent their vile.
politics as ususal.....faux hate until happy hour or shared TV time when it is faux love.
faux folks
Oh Tonk....the traitors refection on the wall makes me ill.
Senate Rules don't allow ANYONE to "Control" the Senate. It doesn't work that way. Senators are given much more power than House members. Even cloture doesn't end debate -- it just limits debate. If Senators want to bloviate about the nomination beyond tomorrow, there is nothing that can be done. Not that FACTS would stop some people from blasting Frist, of course.
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