Posted on 03/15/2005 12:22:27 PM PST by Sub-Driver
Democrats Threaten to Stop Senate Business if GOP Changes Rules on Judge Confirmations By David Espo The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats served notice Tuesday that they will slow or stop most Senate business if Republicans unilaterally change the rules to assure confirmation of President Bush's controversial court appointments.
Any such change would mark "an unprecedented abuse of power," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wrote Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Reid, the Democratic leader, exempted military and national security legislation from the threat, and said Democrats would not block passage of measures needed to assure continuation of critical government services.
"To shut down the Senate would be irresponsible and partisan," Frist said in swift rebuttal. "The solution is simple: return to 200 years of tradition and allow up or down votes on judges."
The exchange marked the latest development in a long-simmering struggle over Bush's court appointments. Democrats blocked votes on 10 nominees during the last Congress, attacking them as too conservative to warrant lifetime appointments.
Accusing Democrats of obstruction, Republicans sought to make an issue of it in the elections last fall, in which they gained four seats.
Bush has already renominated some of the judges, and Reid has said previously the Democrats' position has not changed.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.tbo.com ...
Frankly, given the public fecklessness over private accounts for Social Security, I think the Republicans will get the blame unless they show a lot more skill and courage than I have seen out of Senator Frist.
Well, even I am not holding out much hope for that; (BUT on Brit's show tonight, they had a poll that shows the public IS coming around, up 3 percent, to 56 percent, I think.)
Not very long ago, I tried to explain our concerns to a staffer for one of the senator's on the big committees; this is someone whose opinion I value and who has worked hard to get where he is.
He honestly seemed very surprised when I told him that WE have done OUR part in getting the election of 2004 done and that now WE expect THEM to deliver on the judges, immigration, etc. (I had the most ridiculous conversation I've ever had with a college graduate who claims to be a conservative about anchor babies, which ended with me telling him he needed to GET OUT of that building, because I know he knows better.)
Honest to God, the people in the building have NO clue; and I say again, this is somebody I know and care about. It was like we were talking past each other; when I told him that under NO circumstances would I EVER vote for John McCain, he was stunned; the only time our concerns come up on their scopes is when they need our votes.
And I will stop now, or I will rant to you like I did to him. I still get upset when I think about that four hour discussion! It was VERY discouraging.
You should have had to HEAR it.
McCain hasn't met a camera that he wouldn't bow down before. I don't care what he has done in "the past" and I don't "honor" his service to the country. He is a destroyer, and he should be destroyed himself so that the republic might live.
Regardless, if the Republicans have a majority in both houses and fail to accomplish their goals, it is a loss for them. By 2006 it will be too late, the golden opportunity will have been lost.
It makes us look incompetent. Good leaders know how to bargain and deal and get things done.
Surely we can find a way to horsetrade for a couple of votes.
Any such change would mark "an unprecedented abuse of power," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., wrote Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Funny, the House got rid of their filibuster long ago.
Their 'doomsday' option is no more than a threat. Government can't grow if they shut down the Senate. Liberals and RINOs won't get reelected without pork. It's a dream come true for conservatives if they appoint judges who will shut down unconstitutional crap anyway, because the Senate won't need to be open to get things fixed!
I remember when the entire federal government got shut down several times during the late 90's. With congress and the President not able to pass a budget.
After two weeks of the government down, the people began to notice something. Life was going on as usual. The only people the MSM could find who were affected, were some very remote townspeople. Who didn't yet have the internet, so relied on the federal mail service.
Seeing that Clinton and the Reps in the congress quickly compromised with each other.
I was in DC when that happened in 1995. The climate reeked of bureaucrat fear. It was a beautiful thing. Then Dole sold us out, that SOB. I will never forgive him for it. NEVER.
Uh, those were RINGO's words.
RINGO
Well, didn’t think you had it in you.
(smiles, sets himself)
Shall we?
DARK SILHOUETTE
I’m your huckleberry.
Ringo stiffens as the silhouette steps into the waning light. It’s DOC, pale and drawn, looking like death
itself, but awake and ready just the same:
DOC
Why Johnny Ringo, you look like
Somebody just walked over your grave.
(sees his shock)
Oh, I wasn’t quite as sick as I
Made out.
RINGO
My fight’s not with you, Holliday.
DOC
I beg to differ. We started a
Fight we never got to finish.
Play for blood, remember?
RINGO
I was kidding about that.
For the last time, that Cheshire cat smile comes over Doc’s face:
DOC
I wasn’t.
(pins on Wyatt’s badge)
And this time it’s legal.
Ringo nods, his hock replaced by a growing malice. As they set themselves, once again their eyes begin to
blaze, boring into each other, their concentrated rage focusing on each other, about to reach critical mass….
RINGO
All right, lunger. Let’s do it.
DOC
Say when.
A long tense moment then both grunt in unison. Blurred movement, the FLASH of a GUNSHOT. Doc
slaps his gun back in it’s holster as Ringo stumbles, a bullet hole in the side of his head….
EXT – THICKET – SUNSET
Back in the thicket, Wyatt HEARS the gunshot and starts running…
EXT – OAK GROVE – SUNSET
113
Blood coursing from the hole in his head, frenzied messages flickering all through his shattered brain,
going only on pure hate, Ringo stumbles and jerks, struggling to raise his pistol. Doc dances in front of
him, urging him on:
DOC
Come on! Come on!
But finally Ringo falls over into the crook of the oak tree, his pistol firing into the air harmlessly. Doc
looks down at him, shaking his head:
DOC
Oh Johnny. You’re no daisy, no
Daisy at all.
Just then Wyatt appears, looking at Doc in total shock.
WYATT
What happened?
Doc looks at him like he’s a fool then points to Ringo:
DOC
Poor soul, he was so high-strung.
Afraid the strain was more than
He could bear.
Why don't the Republicans start acting like a majority party and just out vote them on everything?
The are salaried and as long as they hold the Seat, the pay continues regardless of performance or attendance.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Just ask Kerry.
By all means Mr. Senator, go ahead........
Absolutely! The best Republican strategists could never have dreamed up such a great scenario!!
Then again........
Really? I hadn't heard.
Maybe Peter Jennings just forgot to tell me?
I-877-762-8762
The best previous call I made was to Kennedy's office.
Sweetly began with the aide, telling him I had heard the Senator was concerned about the President's exit strategy for Iraq. He said yes, and gave me his spiel, then I very sweetly asked if the Senator had had an exit strategy for Mary Jo Kopechne.
I thought the aide would have a stroke......he screamed at me that WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT THAT!!!
I told him I WAS.....and hung up.
Still chuckling.
You are, of course, correct. Great seen.
Anyone notice who was not present on the capitol steps yesterday with Harry Reid? Hillary. Wonder why?
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