[ricks_place]

David Broder sometimes makes sense
but to suggest that the President surrender his constitutional prerogatives
and that the majority Senate surrender its constitutional responsibility to the minority party
is extrodinarily destructive to the country and inane.

[MikefromOhio]

well generally when you are working in politics with a rational opponent this would be the way to go. however, the Democrats are not rational or honorable or really even more than political hacks.

[BushWonGore'sDone]

I think the republicans need to quit trying to help the Democrats. The republicans need to ACT in the manner of which the people who have elected them, by leading and implementing the conservative policies they have been put into office for in the first place!

[BibChr]

The title tips me off right away ("First step" -- because the Republicans have done nothing right). Then that it's David Broder. Fuggeddaboudit.

Dan
Biblical Christianity BLOG

[AmericanChef]

-The Democratic Senate leadership should agree voluntarily to set aside the continued threat of filibustering the seven Bush appointees to the federal appeals courts-

As if the Rats would ever keep such a promise. Unfortunately, the Republicans would keep theirs, and then we'd be out 2 for 2.

[skinkinthegrass]

I didn't know Harry Reid (NV-'RAT) writes a syn. column for the WaPo...who's next; Bubba "little willie"/$hrillary "the Red Queen" Klintoon and Nancy "Botox" Pelosi

[muawiyah]

Agree. David Broder sometimes reveals his true colors ~ that of arch traitor to America.

Can we ship this guy to France or something, so he can discuss the new EU Constitution.

[deport]

(Democrats also get a) pledge from Republican Senate leaders to consider each such nominee individually, carefully and with a guarantee of extensive debate in coming months.

---

That's the problem now David. It isn't the Republicans who control the debate length but rather 41 of the democrats. They have debated and debated on some of the nominees but won't let the debate end and a vote take place. If they would then the mess we are in now wouldn't be there.

[catpuppy]

Except for Clarence Thomas, who was supported by only 11 Democrats, every single Supreme Court nominee of Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton was confirmed with the support of the overwhelming majority of opposition-party senators.

Robert Borke will be as surprised as I was to learn this. David Broder needs to hang it up.

[expatpat]

Sounds to me like the 'rats are starting to cave.....

[savedbygrace]

Broder is not being reasonable. The Senate has a Constitutionally mandated responsibility to give the President "Advise and Consent" on Judicial nominations, and they are failing intentionally to do so.

Start with that.

[Pukin Dog]

Back up a moment; Broder cant be trusted EVER.

The Democrats have finally woken to the fact that they are at a huge disadvantage now, and should have held their powder until this was about the Supreme Court.

When Frist pulls the trigger (and he will), the Democrats wont be able to stop anyone except in committee, where if Specter gets out of line, he will be yanked faster than a bad pitcher.

Don't ever believe that Broder is not speaking the party line. Democrats put him up to this article, because this is all they can hope for at this point. They have lost this battle, and after the nuclear option, they will have lost the war.

[El Gato]

Might as well try to make a "deal" with a scorpion. You'll end up like the frog that gave the scorpion a ride across the river.

Stung.

[solo gringo]

The Republicans should tell the democrats up yours.

[RJL]

In return, they (Democrats) should get a renewed promise from the president that he will not bypass the Senate by offering any more recess appointments to the bench

Sadly, the logical outcome of the Dem filibusters is that all federal judges will now only serve in recess appointments.

After filibustering GWB's appointments, as long as there is even just one Republican Senator, they will filibuster any Democrat president judicial nominee.

[smoothsailing]

Broder can kiss my grit.

[Soul Seeker]

No.

All this is, is a way to delay confirmation of the Justices AGAIN while preserving their ability to renege and filibuster.

No compromise. Democrats have shown they cannot be trusted. They must have the option to deny the President his Constitutional Right stripped from them.

[No Longer Free State]

Let me get this straight: The Republicans should regain a usurped right (that of the president to appoint judges) by sacrificing another? Brilliant, a win-win for the democrats. No doubt the weak-kneed among the republicans will be rushing towards this 'compromise' in no time at all.