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Democrats Split on Tactics for Confirmation Hearings
NY Times ^ | August 22, 2005 | DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

Posted on 08/21/2005 8:50:30 PM PDT by neverdem

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 - Two weeks before senators begin questioning the Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts Jr., the debate over his confirmation is becoming a test of Senate Democrats as well.

The party's liberal base, whose contributions during judicial confirmation fights earlier this year have helped the Senate Democratic campaign fund amass twice as much as its Republican rival, is pressing for another vigorous fight against Judge Roberts as documents from the Reagan administration clarify his conservative credentials.

But as Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and other liberal stalwarts on the Judiciary Committee step up their criticism of Judge Roberts's record, other Democrats are reluctant to join them.

"I am turned off by senators trying to act like they have already found the guy out and they know what he is like," said Senator Russell D. Feingold, a Democratic committee member from Wisconsin who spent last week focused instead on calling for a pullout from Iraq. "I am not part of any Democratic effort to 'set the table' " for the hearings by laying the groundwork to criticize Judge Roberts, he said.

Several Democratic senators said the hearings on Judge Roberts were shaping up as a risky balancing act. Failing to press him could look weak to their liberal base. But attacking too hard could draw Democrats into a losing battle on the treacherous turf of abortion, race and religion at a time when Republicans appear vulnerable on other fronts.

Mr. Feingold said that he considered a Supreme Court nominee too important to evaluate in only political terms, but that in those terms, a protracted confirmation fight "could take away time from issues where Democrats have a much better position politically, on things like health care, the economy, and, yes, Iraq."

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: Massachusetts; US: Nevada; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: democraticparty; democrats; edwardmkennedy; johngrobertsjr; kennedy; roberts; scotus; supremecourt

1 posted on 08/21/2005 8:50:31 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Feingold becoming the darling of the MSM now? They jump from one liberal nutbag to the next.


2 posted on 08/21/2005 8:58:35 PM PDT by DuckFan4ever (Cindy who?)
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To: neverdem
"I am turned off by senators trying to act like they have already found the guy out and they know what he is like," said Senator Russell D. Feingold.

Please, Sen. Feingold, don't tell us what your turn-ons are.

3 posted on 08/21/2005 9:00:21 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all.)
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To: neverdem

Come on Teddy...we are counting on you to soil yourself and the party with your hate filled (fact free) diatribes.


4 posted on 08/21/2005 9:04:15 PM PDT by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: neverdem

Sometimes I just have to laugh at the liberals.


5 posted on 08/21/2005 9:06:52 PM PDT by Just Lori (Ok, tag! Now you're it!)
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To: Spanaway Lori

Laugh away, if you wish.

However, I consider them collectively to be a mortal enemy -- and a threat to the very survival of our nation.


6 posted on 08/21/2005 9:10:10 PM PDT by dk/coro
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To: Spanaway Lori

Naaa, it should be easy. You just:

1) Look into your soul for moral guidence.

2) Look into your heart for core beliefs.

3) Do what is best for the country and not yourself.

See, it's simple!


7 posted on 08/21/2005 9:19:19 PM PDT by happydogx2 (Let Freedom Reign!!)
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To: neverdem

Some dilemma for the 'Rats.... it amounts to

"Shall we be vicious demagogues over Roberts, or shall we be vicious demagogues over Iraq, the economy, and health care?"

Suddenly Teddy the Swimmer bursts through the gloom to announce to the party faithful: "We CAN have it all -- we'll be vicious demagogues about absolutely everything!"


8 posted on 08/21/2005 9:51:46 PM PDT by Enchante (Kerry's mere nuisances: Marine Barracks '83, WTC '93, Khobar Towers, Embassy Bombs '98, USS Cole!!!)
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To: Enchante

This is just so confusing to me.

We have the votes, you twit; shut up!


9 posted on 08/21/2005 9:54:06 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: Enchante

I'm talking to the Democrats, of course........not you.......LOL.


10 posted on 08/21/2005 9:54:32 PM PDT by Howlin
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To: neverdem
Some dems will not be able to resist attacking Roberts. Some will do it for party, some to toss a bone to their supporters and others simply because they know nothing other than insult, attack and defamation. Regardless of motivation, Roberts will be attacked...if they're not careful (and many never show care in their actions) this will have a backlash.
11 posted on 08/21/2005 11:24:53 PM PDT by highlander_UW (I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
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To: Spanaway Lori

Don't laugh too hard. Feingold is perhaps the nation's most dangerous Democrat. Classic liberal Democrat without the left-wing baggage. He's got something up his sleeve that'll give him national recognition, although it won't likely stop Roberts' confirmation.


12 posted on 08/21/2005 11:28:59 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: DuckFan4ever

Here's a novel idea for Feingold and the rest of the Dimwits: obstruct, obstruct, and obstruct until it becomes painfully obvious to even the dumbest of the sheeple that you stand for nothing of any value whatsoever. There's you a strategy that will help your once-proud party into political oblivion, and you can count on several RINO senators to give you aid and comfort along the way.


13 posted on 08/22/2005 3:43:36 AM PDT by thelastvirgil (More convinced than ever that the United States Congress is a bigger threat than radical Islamists.)
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To: neverdem
Boiling oil! Tar and feathers!! Boiling oil!! Tar and feathers!!! BOILING OIL!!! TAR AND FEATHERS!!!!
14 posted on 08/22/2005 6:14:57 AM PDT by Reaganesque
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To: Howlin

no worries, I figured that.... :^)


15 posted on 08/22/2005 10:00:43 AM PDT by Enchante (Kerry's mere nuisances: Marine Barracks '83, WTC '93, Khobar Towers, Embassy Bombs '98, USS Cole!!!)
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Comment #16 Removed by Moderator

To: Sebashtain; All

17 posted on 08/22/2005 11:05:53 AM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: happydogx2; Enchante

Ain't your list just right on? The basic and correct answer.

Do Schumer, Kennedy, and Durbin etal use principles on that list as a guide when they make votes? NooOOOOoo!

The Dims are divided on how to approach the Roberts' confirmation hearing. What about the list? (Ha) What about their personal thoughts prevailing? NooOOOoo!

They have no grounds to challenge Roberts, so they're meeting to decide how to oppose him. What hypocrites! (Anybody ever called the Dims hypocrites before? Really?)
They can't decide which wrong road to take.

Enchante, isn't it wonderful that we do have the votes, now, to confirm Judge Roberts? Seems logical to me that the Dims won't filibuster (It could happen!) without looking ornery and dishonest. If so, however, we've got that old reliable NUKE on our side, and my favorite hero
and legend-in-his-own-mind Sen John McLame can insert his butt into the deal and foul everything up again.


18 posted on 08/23/2005 3:03:50 AM PDT by Randy Papadoo ( "The left just doesn't know how to say "Yes"!"......Ann Coulter)
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