Frist chills talk of judges deal

MSNBC ^ | April 27, 2005 | Tom Curry

[repinwi]

Senate majority leader says he’ll insist on up-or-down votes on Bush nominees

Updated: 2:46 p.m. ET April 27, 2005 - WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist ruled out Tuesday a deal with Democrats on confirming some of President Bush’s judicial nominees whom they’d blocked last year, in return for other nominees’ being withdrawn.

Democratic sources had floated the idea Monday of a potential trade-off.

“My goal is to have fair up-or-down votes on judicial nominees,” he told reporters at a morning briefing. When reporters asked about a compromise, Frist said, “if the question is ‘are you going to shift from that principle (of up-or-down votes on nominees), the answer is no.”

Frist said he would not ask President Bush to withdraw any of his nominees to the federal bench. He added, “At the end of the day, one will be left standing — the Constitution, which allows up-or-down votes — or the filibuster.”

[Soul Seeker]

My mantra has been that they will receive no money and no votes until these filibusters are stopped. That pledge remains true.

But I draw the line at kicking Reps when they are finally doing what we want. These are STRONG statements from Frist, a strong pledge, a strong rebuttal that Reid could only meet with a 'wet kiss'.

Senator Frist, THANK YOU for this strong stance. Everyone should be appreciative. It's a good proposal that gives up none of the president's constitutional rights.

I doubt the Dems will accept. So it does come to whether you end the filibuster. We'll be watching. For the moment, I WILL give praise though.

[wmfights]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but if Frist had the votes why would he be waiting? IMHO there is a backroom deal being negotiated. As usual the rino's will find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. If we lose, or negotiate away our power on this when the SPCOTUS comes up we won't be able to get an original intent jurist.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

I've said it before & I'll say it again:

This should be a "Come Home" vote for the Republicans.

Frist should announce to the Senate that if he loses it, he will resign immediately as Majority Leader.

Then vote.

[wmfights]

I can't agree more. It's time to act like a majority party or be ready to become a minority party.