Here's the Deal (Why Senate Filibuster Deal Is VICTORY For Conservatives)

American Spectator ^ | May 25, 2005 | The Prowler

[PJ-Comix]

"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 "extraordinary 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."

[Coop]

"And, mark my words, more judges like her will follow in the days ahead." Bill Frist

He knows on which side of his bread is buttered. The Rinos will pay next election - (I'm willing to use vacation time from work and travel to campaign against them, and I'm not alone).

Your post makes no sense at all.

[Coop]

I'm willing to use vacation time from work and travel to campaign against them, and I'm not alone

No - you say you're willing to do stuff like that. But like most good conservatives you'll gripe around the water cooler but not show up when it's time to actually do something.

[Noachian]

The Constitution is essentially meaningless.

Let's not forget that the Dems and the RINOs just tried to change the Constitution by "suggesting" that the President "consult" with the Dems before nominating any more court nominees.

[Qwinn]

You keep saying "if the Democrats break their word" then the RINOs will be forced to concede... but as long as they let the 3 named nominees through, they'll claim they kept their word, even if they filibuster every other nominee. The phrasing of the deal is vague enough that they'll actually convince plenty of people of that. Hell, even many Republicans believe it reads that way.

Sure, we'll get to make our case too. And the Dems, as usual, will have the MSM on their side. Republicans will be painted as the deal-breakers if they go for the Byrd option again, and McCain will play it that he has to vote no on any rule change because of his presidential aspirations. Just watch.

Qwinn

[liberty2004]

The 45 or so GOP Senators who are actually worth a crap, and the administration, need to play some hardball

you hit upon an important point. As much as we rant against the Rinos and Dems, it is our leadership that has failed. Frist and Bush in short order should face reality and accept that this Repubic is being destroyed by Socialists. The only rational response would be to defeat and humiliate the Dems at every turn on every single issue. Our side needs to be utterly brutal to the Dems (figuratively speaking.)

[PJ-Comix]

Basically this deal was set up to make the Democrats and RINOs "feel good" but the REALITY is that the standard has been set with the 3 judicial appointments now going through. The Democrats can in the future claim that a judicial nominee as conservative as those 3 are unusual and break the deal. Result? The vote to end judicial filibuster will be passed and Bush will get his nominees. Think ahead a few moves. Also those claiming the RINOs would still oppose ending judicial filibusters in the future. That equation has changed. At least 3 of them would support ending filibuster because of the Democrats breaking their word.

SHEESH! This is started to remind me of the time when Merv Griffin claimed victory in the purchase of some resort hotel from Donald Trump. It wasn't until months later that Griffin found out that he actually got snookered by Trump. Or should I say, "trumped" by Trump.

[Modok]

I heard Frist last week, his words don't mean anything now.

[Coop]

Frist needs their votes to make that option work. That was "given away" when the Unholy 7 signed their deal.

Nope.

[Qwinn]

Another thing - you keep talking about the 3 named nominees being held up as "the standard" for what doesn't constitute "extraordinary". There's nothing in the deal that even implies that. You assert that they'll be forced to accept anyone to the left of Owens/Brown/Pryor - and I'm telling you they'll filibuster anyone to the right of Myers/Saad.

Qwinn

[johnny7]

Stick out 'yer tongue junior... I 'gotta frozen flag-pole with 'yer name on it!

[Coop]

I heard Frist last week, his words don't mean anything now.

That's a fairly foolish comment since Frist had no part in this deal. But you've got plenty of company.

[PJ-Comix]

And if the nuke option failed?

BINGO! And I don't think the votes were there this time to pass the "nuclear option" (I don't like that term). However, IF the Democrats break their word (good probability) in the future, then the "nuclear option" will definitely pass.

[Modok]

No it's not a foolish comment he was de-nutted by the seven moderates. The seven now love the media adoration they are getting.

[PJ-Comix]

You assert that they'll be forced to accept anyone to the left of Owens/Brown/Pryor - and I'm telling you they'll filibuster anyone to the right of Myers/Saad.

If/When that happens the Senate (with support of currently recalcitrant RINOS) will easily vote to end the judicial filibuster.

[Modok]

Now we got the double secret plan in place. The democrat heads were on the block and the seven let them up.

[quantim]

Hogwash, see tagline. Compromising when you don't have to is cowardice. You see, these senate neuticles don't fear Bush like they would have feared Reagan. They caved, period.

[An.American.Expatriate]

Keep on drinking that Kool-Aid PJ!!!

I know you are wrong (but hope you are right).

McCain and the rest of his gang of thugs have IGNORED the party platform, which called for an end to the filibuster of judicial nominees. This deal gives the RATs the upper hand in all future debates regarding the filibuster as it "proves" to the public that:
1. it was RIGHT to filibuster these 10 nominees
2. it is constitutionally acceptable to do so
3. the EXTREME Radical Right Wing was WRONG to challange "long standing Senate Tradition"
4. the Democrats are a party of principle and the Republicans a party of necessity.

THAT is how the public will perceive this. If McCain & Co later claim that what was allowable now, is somehow not allowed in the future, they will have a hard time selling this to the people. The have basically given thier approval to all that which the Dims have been claiming regarding the filibuster.

This is, in no way, a victory for conservatives. McCain & Co. have effectively joined the Rats, but retain, for now, thier sheep's clothing (the sheep have more money!) The Republican control of the Senate is an illusion - in the Senate, we are the MINNO (Majority iN Name Only)!

[Common Tator]

Yes...

BILL FRIST IS THE MAJORITY LEADER> That is his title.

FRIST PERFORMS LIKE THE MAJORITY FOLLOWER!!!

This is a CULTURE war and Bill Frist let his troops surrender and his excuse is he can't control his toops and is not bound by what they do.

Consider this as if it were real.

Several Generals under Eisenhower are claiming a great victory over the enemy. Just hours before Ike was to launch the D DAy invasion a group of his generals have negotiated a deal with the German Government. In Return for Germany dropping plans to attack England, Scotland, Wales but not Ireland, the allies have agreed to let the German Government retain total control of Germany. Germany also will still occupy but not control France and Poland.

In adddition Germany agrees to give up all claims to Africa and to only kill those Jews that are extremists.

The German Government also agreed to not sink any alllied ships with submarines unless they were carrying things Germany does not like.

Many in the media are claiming this a great allied victory. It is said to have averted nearly 50 thousand deaths that would have occured during the D Day invasion.

Eisenhower said he was not part of the agreement and reserved the right to invade nomandy if the Germans ever do anything nasty.

[mo]

Inquiring minds would like to know...why is this NOT Lucy and the football...????

[Modok]

That post is excellent!