Posted on 05/17/2005 7:11:09 AM PDT by CWW
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the eve of a high-stakes showdown, a key lawmaker said on Tuesday it was unclear if a group of bipartisan U.S. senators could strike a deal on President Bush's contested judicial nominees.
"It's hard to say. There's a lot of cross-pressures. There's a lot of activity on both extremes of the political spectrum," Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, told CNN. "We'll know more today."
The Senate is to begin what's expected to be several days of debate on Wednesday on two of the seven appeals court candidates blocked by Democrats during the last Congress and then renominated by Bush after he won re-election in November.
Republicans have vowed that if Democrats again stop the nominees with procedural hurdles known as filibusters, they will move to ban such tactics on appeals court as well as U.S. Supreme Court nominees.
Republican leaders say they will have the 51 votes needed in the 100-member Senate to abolish such filibusters. But Democrats argue it is too close to call.
Efforts to find common ground persisted despite a breakdown in talks on Monday between Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.
McCain and Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat, are leading an effort to attract a half dozen largely moderate senators from each party to a last ditch-compromise.
Their proposal would clear the way for votes on some of Bush's stalled judicial nominees while blocking others.
Under the proposal, Republicans would promise not to eliminate judicial filibusters through the end of next year, and Democrats would vow not to use such tactics against any circuit court or Supreme Court nominee except in "extreme circumstances."
Republicans hold 55 of 100 Senate seats. A simple majority is needed to confirm a nominee, but 60 votes are required to end a filibuster.
The aim of Nelson and McCain has been to provide six Democratic votes to clear the way for confirmation votes on some of the disputed nominees and six Republican votes to preserve the judicial filibuster. Nelson was confident he had enough Democrats on board, but was still working to attract a total of six Republicans, an aide said.
Talks between Frist and Reid ended following months of futile efforts to find common ground.
"The negotiations are over," Reid said. "I've tried to compromise (but) they want all or nothing, and I can't do that."
Frist said in a statement, "Republicans believe in the regular order of fair up and down votes and letting the Senate decide yes or no on judicial confirmations free from procedural gimmicks like the filibuster."
YAAAAAAAAAYh!!
YES!
Call the rule change up today First!
CNN was mourning this morn! Hehehehe!! OBTW, why the heck does FOX invite that donkey's butt, Bill Press to be on? WHY, o WHY do they do that!!:( Can't stand the bastardly rat!
Unfortunately, the actual headline is not quite so optimistic...
ping
They are feeling the heat!!
SCARAMBLE
**************
Thank goodness. While I respect McCain for his service to our country, I must say that have no respect for him as a politician. If he has any shred of integrity, he will switch parties.
So what is Frist waiting for? Hasn't wasted enough time on this issue with all of his posturing and threats? Do it already! The longer he waits the weaker he looks.
"McCain can't get 5 other RINOs to walk the plank with him!"
I wouldn't bet on that. However, it appears a couple Dems have some honor and are willing to vote to end the obstructionism in the Senate.
He only has Chaffee and Snowe, maybe Collins. Bwahahahahaha.
McCain's staffers should be told that he can never be President because, "He's just another Bolton. He has never been able to work with commity with his fellow Republicans. He's just an egotistical bully."
McCain has 1 friend in this fight. Yarrrrrrrrgh!
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