Here's the Deal (Senate GOP "Deal ensures votes on seven of eight nominations")

american spectator ^ | 5/24/2005 | The Prowler

[watsonfellow]

Here's the Deal

By The Prowler

Published 5/24/2005 12:09:38 AM

"There is no way this agreement that breaks Democratic obstruction can be spun any way other than as a victory for Republicans and the Bush Administration," said a Republican Senate leadership aide late Monday night, regarding the agreement reached by 14 senators to avert a showdown vote on the so-called nuclear option that would have ended Democratic filibustering of Bush judicial nominees.

The parameters of the deal insure that six of eight obstructed Bush nominees to the federal judiciary will receive an up or down confirmation vote in the Senate. The three most opposed Bush nominees to the court, Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor, will not have their nominations blocked any longer; also, three other Bush nominees will eventually receive an up or down confirmation vote as well; the only two nominees who still may be filibustered are Michigan judge Henry Saad and William Myers.

Also as part of the compromise, the Democrat moderates promise to prevent any future filibuster of Bush appeals court and Supreme Court nominees. While Democrats were able to have their "exceptional circumstances" clause inserted in the deal, no one anticipates that such a situation will arise, assuming Democrats keep their promise. And it appears, that a number of promises were being tossed around the negotiation room on Monday afternoon.

Several Republican senators involved in negotiations swore that not only will the six Bush nominees be given an up or down vote, but that Democrats in the room were aware that Republicans involved in the negotiations had agreed to vote cloture on Myers as well, and that Democratic negotiators had agreed that such a move could take place, thus also allowing Myers an up or down vote in the Senate. "Assuming that our guys hold themselves to that promise," says another Republican staffer working on the Judiciary committee, "then we're looking at a clean sweep for confirmations."

That said, Republican Judiciary Committee staffers said it would have been difficult to clear Saad for confirmation, regardless of the Democrats' unethical behavior in his case. Democratic Judiciary Committee staff and Senate Democratic leadership coordinated an attack against Saad by providing and then sending Sen. Harry Reid a memo detailing uncorroborated raw interview notes from Saad's confidential FBI background check.

"Saad has served on the bench in Michigan, he has been a public figure for years, he has had close associations with several Senate and House members from the state of Michigan," says a Washington lobbyist who has met with Saad on occasion. "This is an honorable man whose nomination was badly damaged by Democrats. Any future nominee should be aware of what the Democrats will do to destroy a good conservative."

If there are any potential losers in this deal, it is the moderate Republicans who have put their reputations on the line with not only their Republican colleagues, but also conservative voters. "If Myers doesn't get a vote, if a reasonable Supreme Court nominee does not receive a vote, or has his or her nomination blocked, then those moderate Republicans should be held accountable by not only the caucus but their constituents," said the Republican Judiciary staffer.

HOW TRUE TO THEIR word Democrats will be may become apparent in about a month, when Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist is expected to announce his retirement. Already in Washington rumors are swirling that current Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may be under serious consideration for the empty slot left vacant after one of the sitting justices is elevated to fill Rehnquist's role.. "You look at what he hasn't done in his few months at Justice," says a former White House staffer, "and it makes you think he's really been looking ahead and trying to keep as clear from controversy as he can."

Gonzales has managed to sidestep taking a position on the Terri Schiavo legal battle, and beyond stating his basic support for the eight judicial nominees in limbo, he has avoided being embroiled in this current debate. As well, he has made very few public appearances where anything remotely controversial could have been uttered.

"Everything points to a Gonzales nomination," says a lobbyist aware of the White House thinking on prospective judicial nominees.

One school of thought related to the threat of a constitutional "nuclear" option was that it would ensure the Bush White House an easier time in putting forward a solid conservative as the president's first nomination to the Supreme Court. But Gonzales would be unacceptable to just about every conservative group in Washington and beyond.

"I don't know of any conservative who worked to reelect this president who would be satisfied with a Gonzales nomination," says a Senate Judiciary staffer. "This president was reelected because conservatives want to see a conservative on the Court. If the president has a second opportunity, then perhaps there is room for Gonzales. But only after the president fulfills his promise to voters."

[Treader]

Well said! These pimpin' rino bastards need to hear the banshee wailing...

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

Uh huh, and the gang of fourteen also said they can and will work with other moderates such as Little Dong in North Korea and the Mullahs in Iran.

\ Sarcasm on for foreseeable future.

[Moorings]

The spin begins...lets work the magic...help those angry conservative voters forget...all will be well...nothing to worry about folks...big brother knows best...and don't forget to send us your money. /sarc

[SteveMcKing]

My world is not childish, in fact it's fairly dark sometimes.

Treat b@stards as they deserve. Here, we have seven b@stard senators, none of whom represent conservatism. All of them deserve to fill out their resumes and apply to teach night class at community college.

I want them gone from office, if only for the personal joy of watching them lose.

[RightMike]

i agree...NOT gonzales. please...what a waste of a fight this would all be if W goes and picks Gonzales.

[FastCoyote]

"Once again, the Pubbies blinked, and McCain has gotten at least partial revenge against George W. for his 2000 primary defeat."

The silver lining is that McCain is toast, Lindsey Graham is toast. Maybe Frist survives, but I think he is wounded. Revenge on the traitors is coming.

[Luke21]

This is like previous deals with wicked communists. They always tear them up at convenient times.

Reagan and Bush 1 used to get rolled in budget deals. This one is for the whole banana, the judiciary, where Clinton has appointed a third of its members.

Nice job, Republicans. The freaking Buffalo Bills of politics.

[wardaddy]

"I don't know of any conservative who worked to reelect this president who would be satisfied with a Gonzales nomination," says a Senate Judiciary staffer. "This president was reelected because conservatives want to see a conservative on the Court. If the president has a second opportunity, then perhaps there is room for Gonzales. But only after the president fulfills his promise to voters."

Self imposed affirmative action. How nice.

[Yosemitest]

NO......here's the deal!!!!

NOT ONE PENNY!!!

I'm angry enough to pledge money to real conservatives who will run against these RINO's and replace them. How about $100.00 a head?

I encourage everyone to attack!

Lincoln D. Chafee of Rhode Island
Office Locations

United States Senate
141A Russell
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2921

170 Westminster Street
Suite 1100
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 453-5294

320 Thames Street
Room 272
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 845-0700

Susan M. Collins of Maine
Senator Susan M. Collins
172 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone:


Washington, D.C. Office (202) 224-2523

Augusta Office (207) 622-8414
Bangor Office (207) 945-0417
Biddeford Office (207) 283-1101
Caribou Office (207) 493-7873
Lewiston Office (207) 784-6969
Portland Office (207) 780-3575


Olympia J. Snowe of Maine
Senator Olympia J. Snowe
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5344

John W. Warner of Virginia
Contacts for all offices Washington Office Address:

225 Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Telephone:
(202) 224-2023
(202) 224-6295 FAX

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.


John McCain of Arizona
contacts
241 Russell Senate Ofc. Bldg.
United States Senate
, Washington DC 20510

Phone: (202) 224-2235
Fax: (202) 228-2862

Phoenix
5353 North 16th Street
Suite 105
Phoenix, Arizona 85016

Phone: (602) 952-2410
Fax: (602) 952-8702

Tempe
4703 S. Lakeshore Drive
Suite 1
Tempe, Arizona 85282

Phone: (480) 897-6289
Fax: (480) 897-8389

Tucson
407 W. Congress Street
Suite 103
Tucson, Arizona 85701

Phone: (520) 670-6334
Fax: (520) 670-6637

Lindsey O. Graham of South Carolina
contacts for all offices
Washington Office
290 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5972 phone

Upstate Regional Office
101 East Washington Street, Suite 220
Greenville, South Carolina 29601
(864) 250-1417

Midlands Regional Office
508 Hampton Street, Suite 202
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
(803) 933-0112 phone

Pee Dee Regional Office
McMillan Federal Building
401 West Evans Street, Suite 226B
Florence, South Carolina 29501
(843) 669-1505 phone

Lowcountry Regional Office
530 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Suite 202
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464
(843) 849-3887 phone


Piedmont Regional Office
140 East Main Street, Suite 110
Rock Hill, South Carolina 29730
(803) 366-2828 phone

Golden Corner Regional Office (part-time)b 135 Eagles Nest Drive, Suite B
Seneca, South Carolina 29678
(864) 888-3330

Senator Mike DeWine, an Ohio Republican
contact for all offices
Washington, D.C. Office
140 Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2315
Fax: (202) 224-6519
TDD: (202) 224-9921

[wardaddy]

Will I live long enough to be patient enough watsonfellow?

[patriciamary]

Every Republican should send this letter.

[maryz]

The point is that there DID NOT NEED TO BE A DEAL AT ALL!!

Isn't that a plot in thousands of books and movies? -- Some (usually well-meaning) dope sweats and struggles and finally brags breathlessly about his "accomplishment" of something that should NEVER have been accomplished at all! Somehow it's funnier in a P.G. Wodehouse novel.

[wardaddy]

The seven Republican signers were Sens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, John McCain of Arizona, John W. Warner of Virginia and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine

Boy howdy....several of those names tell it all. I would not even need to know the legislation to know it's probably not good.

[Jmouse007]

No, we are not children holding out breath, we are adults who have woken up to reality: the Republican Party has determined that it does not represent me, my family or our conservative, American values. Haven't you heard; people who are opposed to judicial activism, abortion on demand, homosexual marriage, parental notification, a Strong America at home and abroad, secure borders etc..., are NOT the mainstream of America, we are the crazy wacko "religions right", neither do we represent what those in power believe or support. In other words, WE DO NOT COUNT, neither are our democratic ideals and views supported, until the election cycle rolls around and the "powers that be" in the Republican Party "Need" our support, money and votes. Then they LIE to us and say that they support what we support, believe what we believe and want to vote, the way we vote, UNTIL THEY GET REELECTED AND THEN IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL. Whereupon they promptly throw us overboard onto the little dingy that the Republican coctail crowd which fawns over the main stream media and lusts for position and power keeps teatherd, trailing from the ship by a thread. Then, every two to four years later they reel us in, say "we value you, come on board; we need your money, your support, your votes".

Sorry, I refuse to be their pawn anymore. Until the republican party grows a back bone and stands up for what is right and DOES the right thing regarding illegal immigration and our out of control border situation, social security reform and judicial activism, etc..., I will stay home.

The way the country is going, within a generation we will be as insipid and have the kind of socialist government that Canada has, we are well on our way. America, has become a godless, post-Christian nation controlled and led by wicked, lying men in the government and judiciary. The tragedy is this; through this supposed "deal" a minority of senators within the president's own party has stabbed him (and all of America) in the back and thoroughly compromised his ability to lead. The future of the country now rests in the hands of a minority of evil men led by McCain, Bird, Snow, Chaffe, etc. They have become the power behind the throne. THEY control the country, policy and what happens. The president can't get anything accomplished without them and now needs their approval for anything and everything he wants to do.

After what has taken place, you can forget about Social Security reform, you can forget about controlling the borders or curbing judicial activism. You can forget about fighting the war on terrorism, dealing with China, North Korea, Iran, Syria et al. From heare on out, the PC "moderates" are in control. With this "compromise" we have just been ordered to bend over, grab our ankles and "take it with a smile".

. Well, sorry, "I am not gonna do it, because it wouldn't be prudent". I am not the Republican Parties butt boy and I refuse to be screwed over anymore.

From here on out, if they want my money, support and vote, they have to EARN it back.

[RedEyeJack]

Agree... See if we can get the six in the deal (don't be sure that the Dems didn't have their fingers crossed when they made the deal)... Then try for confirmation on the other two. Make the Democrats filibuster on and on until the public gets tired of their continued obstructionism... By the way, with the two who were turned down in the "deal", it looks like Carl Levin is the real Senate majority leader and until his wife's cousin is nominated for the federal bench no one will be confirmed there... It would be interesting to see President Bush nominate more strong conservatives to the openings in Michigan and see how long the people there like Levin's nepotism tactics.

[wvobiwan]

Right, spoken like a true con man. Republicans will no longer con me.

Illegal immigration, social security, presidential nominations, NONE of the conservative agenda is being addressed by Republicans.

They are done as far as I'm concerned.

[wvobiwan]

Instead you'd prefer that we continue to act like suckers for the RINOs who betray us at every turn?

Up yours, the Republicans are finished as a majority now.

[SoFloFreeper]

While Democrats were able to have their "exceptional circumstances" clause inserted in the deal, no one anticipates that such a situation will arise, assuming Democrats keep their promise...

..."assuming Democrats keep their promise" is the FLY IN THE OINTMENT!

What will it take for conservatives/Republicans/Constitutionalists to realize that since the Clintonization of the Democrat Party took place in 1991/1992, Democrats lie as a matter of course!?!

[Freemyland]

OK. I've reached a compromise with myself. I will hold off, for the time being, on not doing anything rash like changing my registration to independent. I will also hold off on completely shutting off financial contributions to Republican candidates. However, until further "extraordinary circumstances" occur, I will not contribute to the NSRC or the NRC, but will contribute only to individual Republican campaigns directly, so that I am sure my money is sgoing to only thoses candidates whom I truly support.

As for what constitutes "extraordinary circumstances", one such circumstance might be that the President's first Supreme Court nominee gets a floor vote and confirmation. However, if he has to fight members of his own party for that victory, I reserve the right to limit my donations only to individual campaigns.

I can only trust that I will act in good faith with myself.

[Ol' Sparky]

Already in Washington rumors are swirling that current Attorney General Alberto Gonzales may be under serious consideration for the empty slot left vacant after one of the sitting justices is elevated to fill Rehnquist's role.

Wonderful. One of the justices that made it easier to get a judical bypass for teens to get an abortion without parental notification is the leading candidate to replace Renquist.

Read my lips -- failure to nomination Scalia-like justices to the Supreme Court this time will be the biggest disaster for the Republican party since George HW Bush raised taxes. The seven spineless Republicans that brokered this deal are going to find that out already. The whole party will suffer if Gonzalez is nominated to the Supreme Court.