Going Nuclear

The American Spectator ^ | March 16, 2005 | The Prowler

[Cincinatus]

The Senate staffer added, "We're expecting this thing to come to a head, and it appears that the Democrats are finally getting the message."

This comment suggests to me that the Republicans are bluffing. I also suspect that they don't have 51 GOP votes to overturn the Senate rule. However, it appears from Reid's tirade yesterday that it's the Dems who are ready to blink. Stay tuned.

[Jim Noble]

I also suspect that they don't have 51 GOP votes to overturn the Senate rule.

Well, if it's true that Mitch McConnell is wet on this issue, I'm sure they don't have the votes.

Cardiovascular surgeons have many collective personality "issues", but lack of balls isn't one of them.

They all can count, though.

[sure_fine]

there is no gain, no sense, and definately no logical reason to appease these senators who have proven for so long that they are as against this country as much as the very terrorists who would gladly kill everyone in this country.... screw'em, before they screw us more than they already have

[mewzilla]

Reid essentially threatened to shut down the Senate if the parliamentary tactic were used.

Make our day, Senator.

[mainepatsfan]

If Reid didn't think the Republicans would do it he wouldn't have pulled that stunt yesterday.

[Non-Sequitur]

Reid's the best friend the GOP has. If I were him I'd have the Democrats get up on the floor and support the change in rules to prevent the filibuster of judicial candidates...then say that the Democrats want to take the matter even further and adopt rules that would prevent judicial candidates from being bottled up in committee. Then I'd detail the Clinton candidates that were tied up by Jesse Helms. The media would go nuts, the GOP would be on the defensive in every Sunday talk show including FOX, and the whole matter might go away.

But instead Reid is talking about his own nuclear option and looking like an obstructionist ass. Ya gotta love it.

[Cincinatus]

That's the whole point of a bluff, isn't it?

[rrrod]

We gonna nuke RATS?? oh boy pass the popcorn!

[Cricket24]

I have been waiting for 10 years for the Republicans to act like Republicans. I am getting extremely tired of the Republican "WIMP" party. The budget only goes up. They never stand up to the Dems because they are scared to death of the media. It's time for the Republicans to stand up and be "MEN" (even the women). Start protecting the borders and cut the budget of all that waste!! I am not going to vote for any dem but I may not vote for anymore Republicans either!!
I received a call from the Republican party for (what else?) money and I couldn't even understand the guy who called! Are the Republicans outsourcing their fund raising to another country?
This bullcrap has got to STOP! To hell with Harry Reid!

[alloysteel]

Doesn't ANYBODY remember what happened when the House effectively shut down the operations of the US government on a similar impasse in 1995?

The outcome reflected badly on the political party and its leader that had called for the shutdown.

Harry Reid represents the party that is calling for the shutdown now.

If the Democrats want the right to filibuster so badly, then let them carry out their threat. By staying on filibuster until they either win, or break.

I am betting the Democrats break first.

[beyond the sea]

The Senate staffer added, "We're expecting this thing to come to a head

Gotta like this head.

[backhoe]

I have been waiting for 10 years for the Republicans to act like Republicans. I am getting extremely tired of the Republican "WIMP" party. The budget only goes up. They never stand up to the Dems because they are scared to death of the media. It's time for the Republicans to stand up and be "MEN" (even the women). Start protecting the borders and cut the budget of all that waste!! I am not going to vote for any dem but I may not vote for anymore Republicans either

I agree with you, neighbor.

[evad]

Reid essentially threatened to shut down the Senate if the parliamentary tactic were used.

Make our day, Senator.

Yep..
an absolute WIN-WIN!!

[Non-Sequitur]

Start protecting the borders and cut the budget of all that waste!!

What makes you think that the Republicans want to cut spending?

[evad]

Call it the NIKE option...

JUST DO IT!

[mewzilla]

I am betting the Democrats break first.

With Reid's threat, I'd say that's already happened :)

[RightOnline]

Note to Reid:

Stuff it, whiner. Payback's a b**ch.

[Yinzer]

excellent! I wish we had just one fire-in-the-belly senator that would just go in the well and chastize the Dems for even attempting to filabuster the apointees. I know some have, but someone who speaks like Scalia, with purpose and respect for the constitution.

[BB2]

"...changing parliamentary rules that would cut the necessary confirmation vote for judges from 60 to a mere majority"

There is no such rule to change, the Republicans should force this issue because the Democrats are the ones changing the rules. Confirmation of judges is NOT one of the few specific instances calling for a "super majority" enumerated in the Constitution.

[Cincinatus]

Doesn't ANYBODY remember what happened when the House effectively shut down the operations of the US government on a similar impasse in 1995? The outcome reflected badly on the political party and its leader that had called for the shutdown. Harry Reid represents the party that is calling for the shutdown now.

I remember it very well. I remember a media feeding frenzy that morphed Newt into the Grinch. I remember sob stories from laid-off federal workers, whining that their families would have to eat dirt this Christmas because of the Scrooge Republicans in the House. I especially remember Clinton, aided by a nearly monolithic maintream media, pummeling the GOP as heartless creeps, while he quivered his lip.

Make no mistake -- if there's a Senate "shutdown", the Democrats will be the very last people in the world that the media will blame.