Shutting down the government is ALWAYS the fault of the extreme right-wing extremists Republicans who want to install a theocracy.
No. True fillibusters no longer exist, due to rules changes by the Democrats when they had the majority. They are not 24/7 nonstop droning sessions. Now, filibusters are these virtual, weakened things that do not really have the potential to cause the PR damage you are hoping for.
There are lots of things that might still work including the Constitutional Option and recess appointments. So many people are throwing in the towel when these battles are a long ways from being over.
I suggest that you do a little research and find out just what is required of the majority and the minority in a real filibuster.
All this deal did was move the calendar forward a few months for the next showdown. It won't take long for the agreement to be broken by Democrats when they object to the next Bush nominee as being to radical.
Let's just remember the ineffective and ungodly naive Senator McCain (remember Campaign Finance Reform?) next election.
McCain's problem is he wants to be liked by everybody, including the Democrats. He cannot stand walking down Senate halls and not having everybody smile or give him a greeting so he sells out.
The solution is for the President to diplomatically take the "moderates" to the woodshed. He can further accomplish this by giving all blocked judges recess appointments. Moreover, he should continue to send conservative nominess to the hill. Make the dems filibuster them and make the "moderates" look like the fools they are.
No because the Senate rules were changed a number of years ago so that a real fillibuster is no longer required, just the threat of one. The way the rules are written now, it would only be the Republicans that would be forced to stay up all night in an effort to cut off debate. The debates just have to bring in a replacement speaker every few hours to give the current speaker a break. One or two Dems could force 55 Pubbies to sleep on cots in the Senate chamber for the duration. Besides that, a real fillibuster makes good TV for as long as most Americans are going to pay attention to it. So will this work, I doubt it.
Relax... after some careful thought about this, it is probably for the best. Bush gets quite a few nominees through, and the filibuster option is around for when Republicans are in the minority again. It's a win-tie situation.
Better solution: Take the rats and rinos out to the barn and shoot 'em.
OK, um guess we can't really do that... So what do we do with spoiled crybaby brats.. Just say NO! YOUR NOT GETTING YOUR WAY.. and then do what you must, go Nuclear.
Oh, there's a solution, but it has more to do with lamposts and rope than filibusters.
Lock their butts in the capitol building and don't let them leave until they vote.
If they don't want to vote, quit delivering food to the capitol building, just give them water.
They have the right to make their own Senate rules, but they aren't royalty. If they need to be forced to do their jobs, force them to do their jobs.
Does the President have the authority to call for an emergency session of the Senate and keep them there?
I don't know if that will work or not - but - this just might . . .
Aticle II, Section 3
"He [the President] ... may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them,..."
IMHO, the President should immediately convene the Senate in Special Session for the purpose of considering his Federal Court nominations. The only order of business allowed is said consideration. Once all seven pending nominations have been considered, the Special Session can end and normal Senate Business may resume. The Special Session is justified based on the unconstitutional actions of the Senate Minority (aided and abetted by the RINO's) in denying consideration of his nominations.