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Frist Said to Have 'Nuclear Option' Votes
NewsMax ^ | 5/22/05 | Carl Limbacher

Posted on 05/22/2005 9:36:11 AM PDT by wagglebee

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist reportedly has the votes to enforce the so-called "nuclear option" against judicial filibusters instigated by Democrats, despite claims to the contrary by Minority Leader Harry Reid.

After a Thursday meeting with Senate Democrats, Reid boasted he was ready for the coming battle. "It was one of the most pleasant experiences of my entire life," he told reporters. "We walked out of there so united. We talked about what's going to happen after Tuesday," when the filibuster showdown is expected to come to head.

But according to New York Times columnist David Brooks, Reid was blowing smoke.

"Harry Reid, told a small group of us Friday he was cautiously optimistic that he had the votes to defeat the nuclear option, but I think he's wrong," Brooks said Sunday.

"John McCain, Lincoln Chafee, John Warner and maybe Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe will vote against the nuclear option, but none of the other Republicans are likely to."

"Bill Frist has the votes," he predicted.

Brooks also reports that attempts by Senate moderates to hammer out a deal to avoid the filibuster showdown have collapsed.

"The talks stalled. Joe Lieberman didn't bother to attend the final meeting. Positions will probably harden over the weekend, making a deal less likely tomorrow," he said.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 109th; billfrist; constitutionaloption; democratnukereaction; democrats; execfilibusterbuster; filibuster; gop; judicialnominees; nuclearoption; reidsnuclearreaction; rinos; senate; senaterules; ussenate
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To: Paul_Denton

OK, I am taking bets.

On Tuesday morning Frist will invoke the "Byrd" Option. The Democrats will file a lawsuit to prevent this from happening. It will go all the way to the Supreme Court with the Dems winning all the way there.

The SCOTUS will rule for the Republicans and and the MSM will say, "see, we have to change the courts because they are too conservative."


141 posted on 05/22/2005 1:57:59 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Liberal Talking Point - Bush = Hitler ... Republican Talking Point - Let the Liberals Talk)
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To: everyone

If the "constitutional option" comes to a vote, we will lose by at least one: Brooks is leaving out Arlen Specter.
He has made it clear that he doesn't want this to happen.

Chafee, McCain, Snowe and Warner are certain votes against.
All they need is Collins, Hagel, Voinovich, DeWine, Smith, Graham ... any one of these clowns.


142 posted on 05/22/2005 2:40:09 PM PDT by California Patriot
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To: wagglebee

and....McCain!!!


143 posted on 05/22/2005 2:45:50 PM PDT by cubreporter (I trust Rush. He has done more for this country than any of us will ever know! :))
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To: Mad_Tom_Rackham

Against ole hillereee for the nomination? Wouldn't that be a hoot?


144 posted on 05/22/2005 2:46:23 PM PDT by cubreporter (I trust Rush. He has done more for this country than any of us will ever know! :))
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To: TeleStraightShooter

LOL, that will be when the cockroaches and dems. come scurrying out of the rubble, searching for survivors and combing through the pockets of their politically wounded and dead. Look for kennedy to try and loot the social security benefits from neighboring states. It's going to be ugly. I'll make popcorn.


145 posted on 05/22/2005 2:57:28 PM PDT by small voice in the wilderness (Quick, act casual. If they sense scorn and ridicule, they'll flee..)
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To: txrangerette

No, I don't think Warner will vote against us.

I think McCain, Chaffee, and probably one of the Maine twins will.

Other then that, probably none.


146 posted on 05/22/2005 3:10:29 PM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: California Patriot

Quite the opposite. Specter has said repeatedly that one way or another, he believes they deserve up or down votes, and he has made motions toward saying that he will vote for it.

I'll bet you $50 Specter is on our side. He's a jerk, but he votes our way when it really matters.


147 posted on 05/22/2005 3:11:57 PM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: wagglebee

Sure hope this is true!


148 posted on 05/22/2005 3:13:48 PM PDT by TAdams8591 (Terri Schindler was NOT in coma, JUSTICE was.....)
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To: oceanview

That would actually be a MUCH, MUCH smarter move on behalf of the D's.

Which is why I don't think they'll do it. Since Clinton left, they haven't been capable of a smart political move.


149 posted on 05/22/2005 3:14:32 PM PDT by zbigreddogz
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To: small voice in the wilderness
fatTed will probably to SocialSecurity as Enron, USAirways, and United did to their pensions - DEFAULT.

Actually the (D)s have already engaged their Nuclear Reaction by shutting down most Senate committees.

150 posted on 05/22/2005 3:23:01 PM PDT by TeleStraightShooter (When Frist exercises his belated Constitutional "Byrd option", Reid will have a "Nuclear Reaction".)
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To: oceanview
McCain's presidential bid has been DOA since day 1. Just wish someone he trusts would tell him.

How petty it must be to go through his entire political life as a pain-in-the-arse!

151 posted on 05/22/2005 3:28:30 PM PDT by Don Carlos (Me cache en los Moros. (Ancient Spanish curse))
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To: RefugeeFromA2; Vn_survivor_67-68

Ref: POW activities (Vn_s), and disloyal to his country (RFA2). Specifics please. I'm not doubting you, just would like to see something myself. Years ago, there were rumors McCain had "special" care while a POW. Mose of these seem to have disappeared. Friendly media treatment, probably.


152 posted on 05/22/2005 3:40:35 PM PDT by Don Carlos (Me cache en los Moros. (Ancient Spanish curse))
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To: ShowMeMom
You're supposed to ask me what "PIAPS" means - come on - I'm waiting!
;-)
153 posted on 05/22/2005 3:42:18 PM PDT by Tunehead54 (What's this for?)
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To: wagglebee

So the Republicans have stopped worring and learned to love the bomb... (Just kidding) ;p


154 posted on 05/22/2005 3:58:46 PM PDT by Paul C. Jesup
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To: Soul Seeker
McCain actually said he had "conservative" support? Is Mccain trying to re-define conservative?

McCain has a weird version of himself.

If you remember him in 2000, and since then, he really (in his own warped mind) thinks of himself a Ronald Reagan/Barry Goldwater conservative.

At times he even seems puzzled (this should have tipped people off that something is wrong with him) when he's referred to as moderate or centerist. He thinks he's very conservative.

He's not, his voting record is alright, but not in anywhere hard right territory that he thinks he's in.

The only time he is ever in the solid right, is on the issues of spending (pork barrel wise) and abortion.

155 posted on 05/22/2005 4:17:26 PM PDT by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
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To: zbigreddogz

In that case, he's talking out of both sides of his mouth.
I don't think he wants this voted on, and I think he's doing what he can to keep that from happening.


156 posted on 05/22/2005 4:51:43 PM PDT by California Patriot
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To: InterceptPoint

I am not sure if I agree with your analysis. McCain and the RINOs can vote for cloture without supporting the option. The Dems cannot throw in the towel on the cloture vote or the option without seriously alientating their liberal base. Hence, I think it is inevitable for the Dems to face the music on this one.


157 posted on 05/22/2005 7:15:42 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas
I am not sure if I agree with your analysis. McCain and the RINOs can vote for cloture without supporting the option. The Dems cannot throw in the towel on the cloture vote or the option without seriously alienating their liberal base. Hence, I think it is inevitable for the Dems to face the music on this one.

Actually I hope I'm wrong.

I would like nothing better than to see the Dems go down in flames even if it was only 50/50 and a Cheney tie-break. It would be one of those moments that last a lifetime. But....I still don't think the Dems will do it. I expect cloture to succeed with exactly 60 votes with selected Dems making up the 5 votes plus any RINO induced shortfall.

158 posted on 05/22/2005 7:59:46 PM PDT by InterceptPoint
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To: Don Carlos

John McCain:
The Manchurian Candidate
By Ted Sampley
U.S. Veteran Dispatch
December 1992 Issue

McCain Is No Hero
He seriously violated the Military
Code of Conduct

Luck Of Admiral McCain's Son Not For "Grunts"
By Ted Sampley
U.S. Veteran Dispatch
October 1999


Sen. McCain Wants To Be President, Check-out His Unpresidential Credentials
By Ted Sampley
U.S. Veteran Dispatch
1997 Issue

Pictorial History of John McCain's Collaboration With The Vietnamese Reds
Staff Report
U.S. Veteran Dispatch
1997 Issue

February 25-28, 2000 - NewsMax.com
John McCain's Definition of a "Fringe Veteran"

February 2, 2000
Navy Awarded McCain Medals For Valor Without Eyewitnesses

Dec. 28, 1999-By Former POW Mark Smith:
A "Flying Squad" Of Returned POWs Are Protecting McCain's Image

Dec. 2, 1999-Press Release:
Candidate McCain Must Make His POW Files Public

Oct. 5, 1999, By Former POW Mike Benge:
John McCain Is No Hero

March 25, 1999-Phoenix New Times:
Former POWs Guy and Larson "Doubted" Reds Tortured McCain

All of the above are linked here:

http://www.usvetdsp.com/mccainpg.htm


159 posted on 05/22/2005 8:11:44 PM PDT by Vn_survivor_67-68
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To: MinuteGal
Everyone forgets McManiac can pull a Ross Pirouette and run independent.

Thus ensuring a republican victory in '08.

Only the leftist press and moderate democrats like him.
160 posted on 05/22/2005 8:46:23 PM PDT by festus (The constitution may be flawed but its a whole lot better than what we have now.)
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