Sort of, but not really. I have been calling and emailing and last night emailed Collins and Snowe of Maine and Landrieu. I pointed out that Democrat filibusters kept Janice Rogers Brown from full civil rights in the 60's and Dem filibusters are lately keeping her down from enjoying the fruits of her labors.
When I heard this "compromise" I was furious. However, if there aren't more devils in the details, it is a way for the moderate Dems to get out from under the boulder Reid, Kennedy, et al, have put on their heads. It allows immediate votes on Owens, Brown and Pryor
(by far the most controversial three)
and will not allow votes on (or will not vote for--I think will not get votes) on Saad and Myers. The Democrats reserve the right to filibuster only extreme nominees--but having confirmed the oft claimed most extreme of these nominees, it can't/won't be other nominees like them.
The Repubs reserve the right for the constitutional/nuclear option, and the Dems now see they will use it if pushed (for 4 years--OMG)
It lets moderate Dems like Lieberman do what they probably wanted to do all along--bring the nominees to the floor.
Thing I hate most is Dems saving any face at all. Harry Reid owes all these nominees an abject apology. Especially Saad, whose FBI file Reid invited people to look at. He deserves a vote, but is being sacrificed for "the good of he institution". It really is an institution--they have acted like inmates lately.
vaudine
LOL. Good summary of the deal. Thanks.
Frist didn't have 50 votes to adhere to the Constitution. The people are stupid and/or lazy, if they tolerate it.
Good points and I understand them. I don't however, feel the pubbies gained that much. With the nuclear option, they would have gained it all, as being in the majority warrants. We were in the minority for 40 years and didn't use the filibuster in the recent manner the dems have. Of course, we look at this issue thru the eyes of a nation with 2 party political rule, something the constitution never guaranteed.