This is the Dems' new strategy of not-quite-filabustering. Today's Washington Times has a must read article explaining all of this, which I encourage you to read immediately "Senate Democrats develop new filabuster strategy"
I wanted to toss out one aspect of the votes last week that really hasn't been explored. That is that three GOP members of the Gang of 14, Snowe, Collins, and Chafee voted AGAINST confirmation of Pryor. While I think it's sad that these RINOS didn't support their President's nominee, in the long run I think it way well turn out well for us when the SC vacancies occur. Here's why.
Two members if the cabal, Graham and DeWine have been very clear in stating that if the Dems filabuster based upon the nominee having a conservative ideology, they will support the nuclear option. Those two votes, along with the VP's, will provide a 51 vote majority to change the rules. However, if the Dems do indeed filabuster, I think a very persuasive argument can be made to the the 3 RINOS to support the nuclear option. The very fact that they voted AGAINST the nominee makes, in effect, a telling point, that there was a vote. It's hard to put the genie back in the bottle after it's out. They were able to exercise their senatorial right, and responsibility to vote, and NOW they want to deny all their other GOP senators the right to do the same thing? It doesn't hold water. I think that ALL of the GOP compromisers will end up supporting the use of the nuclear option.
I think that Reid knows this. Therefore, if he's going to force the issue, does he do it over Boyle, or wait until a SC vacancy opens?
I think we should also pay close attention to what both leaders say today in their opening comments. Both may well try an lay down markers. BTW, what are the odds that Reid says something regarding Cheney's dig at Dean?
It also appears that Bush will, happily, NOT give-in to the stupid demands of Dodd and Biden for yet more data, and he will make Bolton a recess appointment, in effect, as Chris Matthews drolly observed yesterday, "making Bolton his own personal representative to the UN.." Cute...I, for one, like the sound of it..
Other significant, and not-so significant events on tap today:
1. The Michael Jackson trial verdict watch continues.
2. Tucker Carlson's show premiers tonight on MSNBC at 9PM. Does anyone think it coincidental that Hannity gets the VP for an exclusive interview tonight AT THE SAME TIME? Cheney has some very "nice" things to say about dean. Well worth watching. I guess Tucker can always count on the lead in audience from Kieth Olbermann.
And lastly, just a few words to tell you all how much I've enjoyed starting these Senate confirmation threads, and to thank all of you for your contributions, but special kudos must go out to OXENinFla and Cboldt for their great work in diggin up all the Senate calendars, rules, regs, and procedures. Many thanks. I don't plan on doing anymore daily threads until the next big judicial nomination. Regards...
sounds like an episode from the Twilight Zone.. :)
RE: Kavanaugh's Nomination on Indefinite Hold
[Edward Whelan 06/13 10:57 AM]
Another very knowledgeable Senate staffer tells me that Harry Edwards will be taking senior status by the end of 2005 and that Kavanaugh’s nomination will be moved at that point. This same staffer tells me that four Republicans – Grassley, Hatch, Kyl, and Sessions – support the hold.
Kavanaugh's Nomination on Indefinite Hold
[Edward Whelan 06/13 09:49 AM]
Bad news for Brett Kavanaugh: Perhaps I’ve missed it in the papers, but I am reliably informed by a very knowledgeable Senate staffer that the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding Kavanaugh’s nomination until another vacancy develops on the D.C. Circuit.
I gather that this hold has something to do with the longstanding dispute over whether the D.C. Circuit needs 12 active judges. Janice Rogers Brown became the 10th active member of that court, and Tom Griffith is in line to become the 11th.
I haven’t heard which Republican senator (or, possibly, senators) on the Judiciary Committee is combining with Democrats to hold Kavanaugh’s nomination. I do have a guess in mind, and it’s not Chairman Specter.
I have no information on whether another vacancy is likely soon. Does anyone?
(from Nat'l Review's "Bench Memos")
Good morning all..FYI
The c-span 2 schedule shows a Senate Lynching Apology vote today, also...
On c-span at 4:30 ET, they are having a LIVE Senate lynching apology presser...
There is a thread regarding the topic...I hadn't heard they were doing this until this morning...
Speculation or did Bush say this?
I'm terrified of those dang it dental drills!! KEEP me posted though!! ;(
"The LAST judicial nomination for the immediate future."
THANKS to you three for making possible these threads.
We must press on, find ways to evict the DNC squatters from our Constitutional Real Estate.
And evict the RINOs and OTHER Dems from office!
I enjoy your threads and commentary. My guess is the Dems will be afraid to filabuster because they'll get nuked so they'll try to slow-walk the nominees and force Bush to nominate "consensus" picks. They also try to pressure these compromisers to vote against conservatives.
I just saw Ralph Nees, People for the American Way on Fox News for the first time. Unbelievable! He Looks like Lucifer.
Well here they go, BTW Hatch was brilliant :-))))).