[Congressman Billybob]

As I have patiently explained on various threads for about two months, 1) the vote cannot take place until a contested judicial nominee is officially before the Senate, and 2) in case some Democrat Senators decide to tie up the Senate, it is wise to get the budget bill and the energy bill safely through the Senate before the critical vote.

Therefore, when those two bills are passed and signed as Acts, Frist will bring to the floor either Judge Owen or Judge Brown (odds favor the latter). Having counted the Senate noses better than Lugar did in the Bolton hearing, Frist will then pull the trigger.

This is not rocket science, but there is a certain need to pay attention to the processes of the US Senate.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Lies, D*mned Lies, and the Washington Post"

[Cboldt]

I agree with your analysis, except I prefer to think of the DEMs as the ones "pulling the trigger." They can vote when the motion to vote is made, or they can "pull the trigger" by objecting to taking the vote.

[jstolzen]

IMHO, this strategy (pass major bills first, THEN go Constitutional) is doomed to failure.

The longer Frist delays, the more pressure is put, the more threats are made (FBI files, anyone?) against the RINOs and other spineless Repubs.

I would suspect that Frist realizes this, and is trying to ultimately get out of the showdown (heck, he surely can't "really" want this!) by allowing the other side to pick away at what tenuous support he has.

IMHO, this is all a big game of positioning for public consumption. I'd wager BIG money that Frist has NO intention of EVER pulling the trigger. Maybe he will go through the motions, but he HAS to know that every day's delay erodes any support that they MIGHT have had at one time.

These people make me crazy. DO IT ALREADY!!!, before it's not doable!