Posted on 01/27/2006 3:27:29 PM PST by SmithL
WASHINGTON -- Long-smoldering Democratic dissension flared openly Friday as liberals sought support for a last-minute filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito against the advice of leaders worried about a backlash in the 2006 elections.
"I reject those notions that there ought to somehow be some political calculus about the future. ... The choice is now," said Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential candidate and a White House hopeful for 2008. He said it was imperative to fight for "those people who count on us to stand up and protect them."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., announced she would support the filibuster, despite saying earlier this month that she did not see anything that would justify one.
"Based on a very long and thoughtful analysis of the record and transcript ... I've decided that I will vote no on cloture," Feinstein, the only female member of the Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. Cloture would end debate and bring the nomination to a vote.
Two of the party's Senate leaders, Harry Reid of Nevada and Charles Schumer of New York, privately made clear their unhappiness with the strategy, even though they, too, oppose Alito's confirmation. And Rep. Harold Ford, seeking a Senate seat in Republican-leaning Tennessee, dismissed the filibuster approach openly.
"It does not appear that there is any reason to hold up a vote. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will move quickly to bring this process to a dignified end," he said.
Despite a decision by Kerry, Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and others to try to block a final vote, leaders of both parties agreed that Alito's confirmation was assured for next Tuesday. The 55-year-old appeals court judge would replace Sandra Day O'Connor, who has cast deciding votes in recent years in 5-4 rulings...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
And then watch the rest of the Democrats start voting for Alito.
The only ones left standing are going to be the ones bought and paid for by the extreme left fringe.
It's gonna be SWELL.
I'll continue to hold my breath until Tues. Never under estimate the power of blackmail and stolen FBI files.
He might be standing tall today, but he could be dirt in a month or two because of what he's pulled today.
Exactly...the people who think they have a chance at the Dem nomination for 2008 are so busy jockeying for position with one another, they weill be hurting for cash, and carrying huge baggage into the general campaign. This all bodes well for whomever runs from the GOP. I think the fights in the GOP will be much less nasty, and much shorter.
Looks like old George kicked the demwits BUTTS again.
The Democrats will come out of this one in a foolish position which will cost them a handful of seats in the House, and perhaps two seats lost in the Senate.
"Into the valley of Death rode the 500...."
Congressman Billybob
''he could be dirt in a month or two because of what he's pulled today''..............He's dirt NOW!......Hes a laughing stock..IMHO!
Remember 70 is for the Cloture vote, not the final one on Tuesday.
There are 70 votes to bring it to the floor. I suspect Alito will get few fewer than seventy when all the votes are counted.
He will get in, but it won't be by 70 votes.
If I were a dem Senator the last thing I would want is that snot-nosed Harold Ford Jr. telling me what to do....
How many votes are needed to approve the cloture?
McCain vs. Stop McCain, you mean? I think we need a brokered convention.
I think the next one is going to be Stevens. I think he's already decided to retire, he's just waiting for this one to be over. I'd be willing to bet he'll announce at the end of this term.
They might have sent Kerry out, then cut him off at the knees.
60
Trouble in paradise. Wonder when we'll hear about the internal catfight.
... then OJ finds the REAL killer ...
What's especially wonderful is that Ginsburg, Kennedy and Stevens could all be retiring in the near future. The mind spins with possibilities!!!!!!
My fantasy? The GOP pick up a couple seats in the Senate this fall... and Bush chooses Janice Rogers Brown to replace Stevens. (I'd love that scenario even if the GOP doesn't pick up seats, but that sure would make things easier.)
I want to see Fat Teddy at 3 a.m. reading from the Washington D.C. phone directory, particularly all the Arabic names that start with "A".
Here’s an update on those committed to Stand Strong and filibuster the Alito nomination…
From DUhhhh.. Check out Menendez N.J..Corzine's lap dog.
Leading the Fight:
John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy.
Committed to Filibuster:
Barbara Boxer (D- CA), Dianne Feinstein (D- CA), Christopher J. Dodd (D- CT), Richard J. Durbin (D- IL), Debbie A. Stabenow (D- MI), Robert Menendez (D- NJ), Harry Reid (D- NV), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY), Charles Schumer (D- NY), Ron Wyden (D- OR), Russell D. Feingold (D- WI).
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