And the Republicans promised not to vote for the nuclear option UNLESS they felt the Dems were filibustering in non extreme cases. Nothing has changed except we have gotten the three most conservative judges guaranteed a seat on the bench. Now if the three conservative judges are not fillibusterable, someone really has to have some flaw other than ideology to be be considered an extreme case. The Dems may have have some cover for their backing away but they have made it harder to filibuster in the future.
"Now if the three conservative judges are not fillibusterable, someone really has to have some flaw other than ideology to be be considered an extreme case."
I guess that is a logical way to view it.
On the other hand, Dems are never logical - or fair.
I guess time will tell if this was a very clever manouever by the Repubs and I will have to eat my words - which I would do gladly - EAGERLY, or just another case of McCain et al pandering to the libs and media.
Excellent point. I was outraged, until I saw this post...
Indeed, we've lost several judges. In return, we'll get the 3 most conservative confirmed. Here's the real questions: WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE DEMOCRATS? The only answer, I believe, is dignity (face-saving).
Point #1: They've (dems) agreed to confirm the "conservative" judges (thereby agreeing they are not "extraordinary circumstances"). Point #2: Dems agreed not to filibuster in the future unless "extreme circs."
DNC top senators must have approached the GOP, and said something along these lines: "Listen, we both know that we (dems) have painted ourselves into a corner. Give us a way out, and you win." Anyone read Sun Tzu? Never back an enemy into a corner without an escape route (granted, there can be exceptions). A fight-to-the-death is what ensues when a beaten enemy has no escape route.
Does this logic make sense to people?
chris