Posted on 04/29/2005 4:57:13 PM PDT by DTogo
Dear DTogo,
The proposal Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist sent to his Democrat colleagues yesterday could not have been a fairer compromise to end Democrat obstruction of President Bush's highly qualified judicial nominees.
Leader Frist's proposal would guarantee President Bush's nominees a fair up or down vote on the Senate floor while allowing all Senators an opportunity to have their say through a guaranteed 100 hours of debate.
This is a reasonable resolution to the Democrats' unprecedented use of the filibuster against President Bush's nominees, and will ensure that the filibuster remains intact for use against legislation.
Democrats are obstructing President Bush's nominees because they know that these nominees will strictly interpret the law -- not legislate from the bench. Democrats have even gone so far as to say they will "shut down" the Senate if they do not get their way on judicial nominations.
One of President Bush's nominees, Janice Rogers Brown, grew up as the daughter of Alabama sharecroppers and became the first African American woman to serve on the California Supreme Court. In 1998, Californians reelected her with 76 percent of the vote and the majority of Senators support her nomination for a federal judgeship, but Democrats are standing in the way of her receiving an up or down vote on the Senate floor.
Please visit GOP.com to sign a petition supporting Leader Frist's proposal to ensure President Bush's judicial nominees receive a fair up or down vote. And please also click here to write letters to the editor of your local newspapers.
A fair up or down vote for highly qualified judicial nominees is too important for Republicans to stand by as Democrats sacrifice decades of Senate tradition for partisan gain. I hope I can count on your help to make sure that the President's qualified nominees are given a fair up or down vote.
Sincerely,
Ken Mehlman Chairman, RNC
P.S. Democrats have never before used the filibuster against judicial nominees. Visit GOP.com and tell them to accept Senator Frist's compromise and stop obstructing the Senate from doing the people's business.
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Republicans have had the Presidency, the House majority, and the Senate majority.
It can't be said now that the GOP didn't try to compromise. Either way, we win. If they take this, there's a vote. If they don't take it, there will be a vote (constitutional option).
And as a result, we have exploding government spending, exploding and record federal deficits and debt, at least a trillion dollars of new Bush pork, assaults on the First Amendment and we haven't even gotten rid of the NEA or PBS.
How can that be considered "winning", except by government parasites and greedy, grasping Republican politicians?
"Republicans have had the Presidency, the House majority, and the Senate majority."
"And as a result, we have exploding government spending, exploding and record federal deficits and debt, at least a trillion dollars of new Bush pork, assaults on the First Amendment and we haven't even gotten rid of the NEA or PBS.
How can that be considered "winning", except by government parasites and greedy, grasping Republican politicians?"
That's another issue, and yes, it sucks.
And that Senate Majority is so large, not. Especially when it takes unamimous consent to do many things in the Senate.... Oh and don't forget the Rinos that everyone likes to talk about. They can't be depended upon to vote party line everytime.
Senators Rep Dem Other Vacant 107th (2001-2003) [4] 50 50 [Jan. 3-20, 2001] 50 50 [Jan. 20-June 6, 2001] 49 50 1 [Jun 6, 2001-Nov. 12, 2002] 50 48 2 [Nov. 12, 2002 - Jan. 3, 2003] 108th (2003-2005) 51 48 1 109th (2005-2007) 55 44 1
There's no overwhelming majority in the Senate, but the fact is Republican have the Presidency, House majority, and Senate majority and still can't figure out how to force a vote on these judges.
It "looks" pathetic to the rest of us.
There's no overwhelming majority in the Senate,
We already have had 100 WEEKS of debate. Nuke them before they nuke us.
The Republicans have finally stepped up?
Stepped up to claim the gold medal of World Wimp Chump Award.
Enough already! Act like fiscal conservatives with leadership on national security!
Well said.
Not too proud of what our Republican govenrment has done AT HOME.
Everyone has to understand that this is only the appetizer.
Boltons vote will be the intermezzo(that correct?) before we get to the main course which is Justice Rheinquists relacement.
The Rats know that this has to be obstructed until after the 2006 elections and the MSM has once again signed on to run shotgun for the left.
The issue has to be forced early so that there will be enough time for the Republicans to gear up for 2006. This is Strategery. Once again, the Republicans are playing chess and the Rats are playing checkers.
"No more Mr. Nice Guy. " Your oh so right. Now it's time to kick A$$ and take names. Amen.
These are the Senators to call to help President Bush get a vote on his embattled judicial nominees:
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2235
Phoenix, AZ: (602) 952-2410
Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2921
Providence, RI: (401) 453-5294
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-5344
Augusta, ME: (207) 622-8292
Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-4224
Omaha, NE: (402) 758-8981
Senator John Warner (R-VA)
Washington, DC: (202) 224-2023
Roanoke, VA: (540) 857-2676
Interesting. Do you see me advocating for another election cycle to attempt to break the 60 Rep mark in the Senate before progress is made? You do not because if they cannot lead with a 55 majority (even with RINO's) they cannot be guarenteed to lead with an increased majority.
What you see me stating is that there has been a marked reversal in their attitudes since the base took them to task the last couple of weeks. A public 'compromise' that doesn't compromise the Constitution, related on the Senate floor rather than behind doors. We see Republicans actually making an effort to do more PR rather than letting the MSM define the issue any longer.
You choose to ignore this change I suppose? I do not. I give credit where credit is due, and they have had a spinal re-alignment. As to whether it is temporary or lasting? I do not know. As to whether they will follow their word and end these filibusters soon? We'll see. I will not contribute a dime or vote till it occurs. I will keep contacting them.
I will only note that as a positive trend has emerged, it should be met with acknowledgement and encouragement to continue.
As to whether Reps have been on the winning side? Techically true, but only this past election made it a workable victory. This is why it is only now, not the past few years, I've taken the Reps to task strongly.
My thoughts exactly. And of course we know that they'll debate absolutely else during that time. Let's see, exclusive debate for 8 hours per day, that's 12.5 "debate days" per nomination. For 10 nominees that's 125 total "debate days". With roughly 20 "debate days" a month that's around six months. Then, don't forget the arduous senate schedule and all the time off they take, we're talking 9-12 months real time -- about time for the 2006 election. Oh, by the way, they ought to approve a budget some time in there... This is ridiculous! I mean, I know it's hard to tell, but we won. Just DO IT!
RINOs...go to hell!!!!!
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