LIVE THREAD: Day ONE - Senate debate on nomination of Samuel Alito to SCOTUS: C-span 2; 9:30 am EST

C-span

[ken5050]

Good morning once again, all you fellow political junkies. Put on a fresh pot of coffee, put the sticky buns in the oven, put a fresh battery in the remote control, and join us for the latest episode of the world's greatest daytime soap opera, "As the Democrats Bloviate." Yup, once again, it's that time...

[areafiftyone]

[LisaFab]

Is this supposed to be 'morning business' or on Alito? Oh. Specter is finally getting around to it.

[LS]

Well, you know the old maxim, if you have the votes, vote, and if you don't, talk.

[The_Victor]

ROFLMAO!!!!!

[katieanna]

where is cspan getting their tally?

[LisaFab]

Specter has got some case. Saying SA is NOT an originalist and believes the Constitution is a "living" document.

[MEG33]

As one who suffers from slight hypertension, I will NOT be watching the floor debate. Not to mention the fact I'd like to save my Pepto-Bismol for other occasions, too.

I have similar concerns..I will indulge with moderation and use the mute button often as I accomplish other tasks.

[kjam22]

I've got it playing through my computer here at work.... with the video minimized. If it sounds interesting I can pull it up quickly.... but this is going to be a long boring day with a bunch of senators reading stuff into the record, for the sake of the next election.

[ken5050]

I believe it's what the senators have already publicly announced how they will vote..

[Bahbah]

Specter and his bruised ego just can't get over the insult to their method of reasoning. He cannot let it go.

[LisaFab]

Good question.

[KE]

We all need to read this article by Byron York in NRO today - it gives some insight into the Dems thinking, and senate rules. So far there is no time limit and it seems the dems will talk and talk and talk to delay. A must read.

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200601250920.asp

"But according to Senate rules, once Frist files for cloture, he has to wait three days before holding a vote. And if he wants the Senate to confirm Alito before the president's State of the Union address next Tuesday, he will have to file for cloture soon — before Democrats have actually had a chance to talk for very long. On the other hand, if he waits to file for cloture until it is clear that Democrats are just talking for the sake of talking, then there can't be a vote until after the State of the Union address."

Karen

[Txsleuth]

You would think, that at some point, the dems are gonna realize that their tactics are working AGAINST them...and just drop them...

[MEG33]

http://www.nationalreview.com/york/york200601250920.asp

Thank you..I'll read it.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Now Specter is stumping for Supreme Court proceedings to be televised. Great Arlen, so that they can turn into the circus your committee meetings have turned into.

Just what we need is to OJ the Supreme Court proceedings.

[Mayflower Sister]

Will Justice Alito be present to answer questions during the Senate hearings or will it just be constant blow-viating by the senators.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It scares me in a lot of commercials, but not the one where it's running for a touchdown, because I keep hoping that somebody will pop him good.....

[firewalk]

.

[Bahbah]

Well this is goofy. Specter thinks that Senators hold power over Supreme Court justices AFTER they are confirmed. They have all gone insane.

[CharlesWayneCT]

If they have a unanimous consent agreed to, that would be the end, because it would take another unanimous consent to override it.

Frist will each day ask for unanimous request to schedule the vote on friday, and it will be rejected, and eventually will file for cloture, which will signal two more days. ALSO, I believe that cloture motion will offer additional debate for both sides before the vote.

So the timing would probably be cloture filed at 11pm thursday night, with cloture voted on monday, leaving time for additional debate and a vote on tuesday. My guess.