Posted on 01/28/2006 8:44:13 PM PST by LdSentinal
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama said efforts by Democratic leaders in the Senate to drum up support for a filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito’s confirmation are likely to fail, and he appeared to be leaning against delay tactics.
“I have to tell you, the votes are probably not there for a filibuster,” the senator said during a stop in the Quad-Cities to open a new congressional office in Moline and to speak to the Quad-City Times editorial board. “It’s my understanding that at least seven Democrats have announced they will not be supporting it, meaning at most you’d get 38 votes. It’s largely a symbolic vote. The question is are you going to vote once or twice against Alito.”
As the floor debate in the Senate ensued Thursday, the leaders of the filibuster attempt — Massachusetts Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry — were trying to drum up support in their caucus for blocking Alito.
They were counting senators like Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Debbie Stabenow on their side.
Obama wouldn’t announce which way he’d vote, but seemed lukewarm about the prospect.
However, he reiterated his opposition to the conservative judge’s nomination. Obama, a former president of the Harvard Law Review, said Alito’s record is too rigid.
“When he’s not forced to follow Supreme Court precedent, he consistently sides in favor of the more powerful party,” the senator said.
Obama also expressed concern that Alito was not a strong enough supporter of governmental checks and balances.
“At a time when the executive branch is stretching its powers to the absolute limit — whether its wiretapping provisions, its approach to what are considered enemy combatants and a host of issues related to the war on terror — it’s very important, I think, we have a Supreme Court that is very independent and is willing to say to the president, ‘Here are the boundaries of your power,’” Obama said. “And I don’t get the sense Judge Alito is willing to do that.”
Speaking of Mrs. Clinton.......Obama is young enough to watch her fail before his big shot. Hillary would clean his clock and leave him by the wayside.......too bad he won't take her on, he will be a formidable opponent in due time at this rate.
"... since Canada "changed parties" they seem to prefer Belize."
Yeah, I noticed that too. They can carry by bags when my next cruise ship stops there.
Maybe things got hot in the Swiss Alps and Kerry needed an excuse to leave. Or he really was that befuddled that he didn't realize the vote was coming up.
"...he will be a formidable opponent in due time at this rate."
Sure, once he drops his pro-abortion stance, drops his affiliation with Cook County politics and quits pandering to special interests groups.
You're obviously not from Chicago nor anywhere in Illinois. He's being heralded by the MSM, that's all. Don't fall for the spin.
If the MSM can make algore and skerry contendas they can do it for Obama. Just one Perot in the race and it's over. (sigh) I would ask you how he got elected, but then I have have Hillary and Chuck so I won't.
"He'll happily keep getting elected until somebody whispers in his ear that he ought to run for President. And then it will be John Kerry all over again."
Right. This guy already believes his own press releases. I'm just amazed, however, how many FReepers talk this guy up.
Get a clue folks. The Hollywood types are already mentioning Obama's name as "the future POTUS." That's a good sign that he's destined to go nowhere.
Funny think about a Democratic Republic, votes count. The libs just can't tolerate that concept unless the deck is stacked in their favor.
"The filibuster talk is just so they can tell the MoveOn.org moonbats "we tried" and keep them sending their donations."
Precisely.....
http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2006/01/flim-flamibuster.html
Good for Canada for missing this bullet, but what a shame that beautiful Belize has become a target for left-wing exodus. (LOL!)
Yep. I was about to say, before I read your post, that Obama has two things going for him: 1) he can count, and 2) he can read the handwriting on the wall. Marginal attributes to be sure, but the best he's got.
I have a feeling there have already been whispers of that sort in his ear....and he acts like it. pfffffft
"The Great OZ has spoken!"
Lets face it, all the opposition to Alito is based on his religion.The Democrats are becoming the new No Nothing Party. For those of you in Rio Linda, that's ANTI-CATHOLIC PARTY. But, these politician should keep in mind that the Catholic vote is 26 % of the total vote, and is the largest Swing Vote in the country. Next time they are up for re election, voters will remember how they voted on Alito.
The democrats will never win an election with these tactics
Kerry is a Narcissist. You are thinking of "anorexia" - which is driven by an underlying poor self-image. Narcissism is driven by a hugely inflated self-image. All your other datum point to a narcissist, plus his outright lies about what happened in Vietnam and his appalling betrayal and slandering of our troops when he came back. He is a "look at me" junkie, with an incredible sense of entitlement and belief in his own "greatness". Watch him with his staff and you will see what a nasty piece of work he is. Limousine liberal barely scratches the surface of the way Kerry operates. He is a condescending twit.
He acts like the whispering in his ear is "You could be President some day." Give it a few years and they will drop the "some day."
and his faithful partner Roseanne Roseannadanna
That, and he's handsome and articulate. He speaks in such measured, reassuring tones that he actually seems to know what he is talking about. He's able to disguise the moonbat character of the modern Democrat Party.
re: Jeffords.
Truly, his is an inspiring story.
The scumbag is now totally irrelevant.
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