Posted on 05/24/2005 5:27:34 AM PDT by crushkerry
It's now time for the non-emotional analysis of last night's filibuster deal. Yes, the gut reaction disgust at the deal still applies.. But let's for a moment (and only for a moment) move beyond that initial anger at the betrayal and give a more reasoned analysis of why the RINO's sold us out and why this is a bad deal.
First, and most obviously, there is no guarantee of up or down votes for all nominees, something that was a non-negotiable to us.
But just as troubling is the language in the Memorandum of Understanding that the RINO's have agreed not to use the "Constitutional Option" for this Congress. It has been said that this agreement by the RINO's not to trigger the Constitutional Option is contingent on the Democrats living up to their end of the deal vis a vis only filibustering in "Extraordinary circumstances".
This means that the RINO's simply have to believe the Dems are using their best discretion and judgment in determining that "extraordinary circumstances" exist. Not only is this mind-reading impossible, but it gives the RINO's an easy "out" not to trigger the Constitutional Option. It would appear that even if the RINO's disagree with the reasons Dems give for thinking "extraordinary circumstances" exist, they may be bound to honor the deal if they think the Dems are acting in good conscience.
Plus, with all this happy pabulum about the deal being based on trust, and how the Senate is a place where people have to take colleagues at their "word", don't you think it's going to be hard for one of these RINO's to say one of the Dems isn't acting in good faith or following the deal's commitments? That would be akin to calling them a liar, and that just doesn't happen among this chummy bunch. Also, these RINO's have shown the last thing in the world the want is conflict or a vote, and I think that mindset is going to make it near impossible for them to cry "foul" on the Democrats belief that "extraordinary circumstances" exist. And we all know what that means don't we?
You can tell these people are lawyers because they put in weasel words like "extraordinary circumstances" that no one can define, and as Sissy Graham's pompous Hardball comments suggest, they didn't talk about specific instances and people. Only in a place like the Senate where the real world doesn't apply could they have purposely avoided specifics in order to get a deal. You just know there are going to be problems with this deal later, and I'm more certain the Dems won't budge on their belief in "extraordinary circumstances" exist than I am that the RINO's will actually vote to go with the "Constitutional Option".
There are those that say "Well how could the Dems use the "extraordinary circumstances" rationale now that they let Owens and Brown through, who they had so excoriated?" Easy. When has logic ever applied in this case. Also, as many on the left have said "Tonight offers a new beginning", which to me means that the Dems will say Owens and Brown did not set the baseline, but rather were allowed to pass in order to get a deal, not as a barometer for future nominees.
Finally, this deal makes the "smoky back room" even smaller than usually occurs. This is a power grab by the 7 RINO's, who do not represent the party as a whole, or the majority of Republicans. Yet they are now emboldened to wield clout they are not entitled to based on their empty ideology of compromise. Witness Graham's smug statement tonight that these 14 will likely form a Social Security reform plan - (read a higher income limit on the payroll tax and no private accounts) and that these 14 are going to meet when the President puts up a Supreme Court nominee to decide if "extraordinary circumstances" exist and whether the Dems are filibustering in good faith as proof of this.
These RINO's will undoubtedly be hailed by their real constituency, the MSM, as brave. But we know them for what they are - spineless cowards. Think about it - who is happier with this deal - Bill Frist or Harry Reid. There was only one way to judge the winners and losers here and that's by asking this question: Will every judicial nominee get an up or down vote? Since the answer is "No", we lose.
Even Judas got 30 pieces of silver. The RINO's didn't even get that.
This paragraph from the RINOS' "Memornadum of Understanding" is the worst part of this vile agreement. It effectively robs the President of his sole power, under the Constitution, to select judicial nominees and send them to the Senate for a vote. Fourteen senators have just changed the Constitution, usurped the President's power, and made the judicial changes mandated by the people in the last three elections virtually impossible to achieve.
Just like AIDS, this is going to be a "gift that keeps on giving" to the Republicans. After this, how is it going to be possible to energize the base to go out and campaign for Republicans, and, if the base is still energized, how will it be possible to convince skeptical voters that the Republicans they might elect will do anything other than this kind of a vile sellout?
If McCain is a candidate in 2008 it will not be for the Republican party.
The fact that McLame could get six other pubbies to join in this betrayal is the most telling comment yet on the leadership ability of Frist. I don't think even Trent Lott could have done a worse job.
John McCain reminded me of Neville Chamberlain coming back from his Munich sell-out.
They had a choice between war and dishonor. They chose dishonor and enboldened the enemy. We will have war later.
Dear Dr. Frist:
How does it feel to have that knife in your back? How does it feel when 7 arrogant Senators decide that you are no longer needed and they give away the store? I wonder how Mr. Bush will feel about having to notify these 7 quislings before he brings up another judicial nominee? Mr McPain has played his cards , now we shall see how you play yours, And play you must or just go back to removing moles from your medical patients , because your political career is over if you let them get away with this.
Solution?
Contribute to whatever Republican runs against these Judases in their primaries.
Then, if they get re-nominated - do the unthinkable - support with your dollars ANY DemocRat who runs against them. Then let them KNOW why you are doing it.
You're safer with an open enemy in arms and uniform than with a traitor behind your back.
"What happened last night was a Munich, a Munich of the Republican Party.
Yesterday morning the Republican Senate had the votes to release all 7 hostages of Harry Reid and to disarm the Democrats of the weapon they've been using to deny the President his judges.Now, to me this is a sellout of the Republican position.
McCain has usurped Frist's position as basically the Swing Man and the one who delivers the swing votes who therefore controls the Senate.
Now if Frist lets this happen, then he is not really a leader. And I cannot believe the President of the United States is gonna sit still for having Johnnie McCain sell out 4 of the Judges."
Snip....
Buchannan suggests that McCain will be forced to vote either with the Republicans or the Democrats, if Frist and Alan have the nerve to say we do not accept the deal. IOW's these 4 are all honorable folks, and they are entitled to a vote and they ought to get it.
Then McCain is showing how out of touch he is with the rank and file of the Republican Party. To be sure, not every Republican is an arch conservative, but on the issue of judges, I think this was a litmus test. McCain is going to learn a hard lesson about confusing the beltway press with the rank and file of his party. Or, perhaps McCain harbors contempt for the rank and file. . .either way, he just sunk his chances for getting the nomination but he is just too arrogant to realize it.
P.S. How bout that McCain Feingold Act!!!!
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I never believed they had the BALZ to go thru with the constitutional option anyway.
Besides what's left of the constition now is no better than the remains of an late term abortion.
Reason? Four words: No principles, no cojones.
Thanks for that report on Buchanan's remarks. Munich is a good analogy.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
I had a $100 bet they'd never go through with it. I'm $100 richer and $100 sadder this morning.
I disagree. I think the truth is much worse. These seven set up a "moderate caucus" outside of the Parties so that they can pursue their own agenda. They believe that they can cooperate with either of the other parties (in practice, though, more with the 'Rats I fear) and are therefore immune from attacks.
It's risky strategery, though, because we still control 48 Senators, the House, and the White House. These 14 Senators, especially the seven weasels on the Right, will get their 15 minutes of fame and then get blown apart at some point.
Paybacks are a Hillary!
But there is another thread that started [after I posted that] on Buchanan's remarks this morning :~)
We will have war later.
"The Dims promised not to filibuster unless under extraordinary circumstances."
With this criteria, the filibuster of any nominee automatically applies the "extraordinary circumstances" clause. In other words, the nominee by definition becomes an extermist!!!
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