Posted on 04/26/2005 5:40:20 PM PDT by Gadfly-At-Large
The Republican leaders in the Senate do not have to make the false choice between endless toleration of Democratic filibusters that enfeeble their majority and the so-called “nuclear option” — a ruling that filibusters of judicial nominations are unconstitutional — which will set off partisan wrangling for the balance of the Bush tenure.
(Excerpt) Read more at hillnews.com ...
no way. the media coverage of a real fillibuster will hurt us day after day - like during the government shutdown blamed on Gingrich. it doesn't matter that we have the honest position on this, our guys don't have a good spin machine and the MSM will only present one side of the story backed up by their twisted polls.
stop dragging this out - if we have the votes, end this now and start voting on the judges up or down.
Yes, make them stand and deliver. I want to see these weenies pee in the Senate trashcan. After they get done, then vote.
The problem with a real filibuster is that the Dems would only need one Senator on the Senate Floor, the one speaking. The Republicans would need at least 50, to ensure a quorum at all times.
The Dems ought to be forced to explain why they oppose these nominees...
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Well, assume it happens.
Who is going to care and be able to do something about it?
The liberal Kool-Aid drinkers? Most of them hardly know that Washington is our capitol and the rest don't care. The conservatives? Well, they already know what its about, are informed, but what are they going to do?
The MSM will just lie for the Dems and print their transparent excuses as to why they are fillibustering.
So, I ask. Who will care and how will it have an effect to force the Dems to explain (lie) about what they are doing? Where does the trail lead ??? How will this lead to a vote on each candidate??
exactly. if we have the votes, we need to change the rules now and get these judges to the full senate. more time plays into the hands of the Dems to lie and spin against these nominees.
Right on! It would be great political theater, but should be postponed to early next year so that it will have maximum political effect prior to the next election - the February - March timeframe would be just dandy. Afterwards, there would be a 60 member plurality available for the Republicans and they could graciously reinstate the old rules they would have no chance of losing.
No, I think this makes a huge amount of sense. Judges should be appointed by a simple Senate majority (or, rather, the Senate's "advise and consent" to a Presidential appointment should be given by a simple majority). If some Senators see such a pressing need to prevent such a vote that they want to filibuster it, make them do it.
If these Dems really believe that appointing a judge who believes in the Constitution is such a dire threat to the nation, make them sleep in cots, talk 24/7, be shown on national TV arguing why a circuit court judge in Mississippi is the most pressing business of the nation...in other words, actually filibuster! I never understood why our Republican Senators were willing to bow to the mere threat of a filibuster. It's like giving a little kid something he wants because he threatens to hold his breath until he dies. If you tell him to go ahead and do it, he'll quickly realize he can get along just fine without the temper tantrum.
This has pretty much been my opinion since the whole "nuclear option" matter first came up. Asking the Dems to do the real thing rather than calling for simple majority votes makes much more sense.
This whole "nuclear option" argument gave the Dems ammunition. They've been able to move forward with this whole, "Let's not shut down debate," campaign. The irony is that a true filibuster IS supposed to cut off real debate. By pushing for a real filibuster, the tables will be turned right back on the Democrats.
They'll look bad, and they won't have the energy to filibuster every single candidate put forward. The current "diplomatic" policy in effect can force any bill or confirmation to require a 60% majority. That is just not the way the system is meant to be. Keep filibusters - they serve a purpose - but keep 'em real.
So that would mean the Republicans in the Senate would actually have to show up for work? What a concept!
Morris has it wrong. The so-called “nuclear option” does not address what is unconstitutional, but merely Senate rules. Indeed, filibusters (e.g., requiring 60 votes to close "debate" and bring an actual vote) are not unconstitutional, but requiring more than 51 votes to overthrow a filibuster rule would be.
I agree with you and besides, I'll never trust the toe-sucker.
"The problem with a real filibuster is that the Dems would only need one Senator on the Senate Floor, the one speaking. The Republicans would need at least 50, to ensure a quorum at all times."
I have to verify but it is my understanding that KKK Byrd had the old-school filibuster rules ended in the late 70's.
Can someone set me straight?
Just because the MSM are controlled by the left doesn't mean we should roll over and not let the Dems win. Make them yak....C-SPAN is still out there....the blogosphere and talk radio and FR can still get clips out there.
I am in favor of allowing substantive debate to continue and not changing the rules, but make the debate be a debate, not just rolling over.
Oh my gosh, we wouldn't want the Democrats to be partisan. Whatever would we do then?
So be it.
Buying a cheap sleeping bag and air mattress to sleep on the Senate floor for a week..........$58.
Take out pizza, Chinese food, Mexican food and junk food for one week .........$140
Having the United States of America watching Democrat Senators bring the U.S. Government to a halt by fumbling for something to say 24/7 for one week on C-Span .............Priceless
"The problem with a real filibuster is that the Dems would only need one Senator on the Senate Floor, the one speaking. The Republicans would need at least 50, to ensure a quorum at all times."
It's a good idea because it puts the Democrats to have to explain why they are going on incessantly about a minor judgeship in Mississippi. It exposes the truth about their position which is that they have no position other than attempting to stack the court with liberal activists judges who think like them. Even if all of us here on the forum thought that it was the absolutely BEST idea to resolve this conflict, there are not 50 Republican senators with the heart to stage a filibuster. That's the sad truth about our elected representatives today.
BULL, stick with the constitution and let the dems throw all the tantrums they want.
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