WANNA COME ALONG?
Posted on 10/11/2002 3:42:40 AM PDT by The Anti-Democrat
The U.S. Senate reputedly is a highly collegial body. Historically its culture encourages cooperation and gentlemanly treatment of colleagues, even in the midst of disagreements over policy.
But Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle has departed from that tradition, obstructing forward movement on important legislation and Senate confirmations of presidential nominees often merely to score partisan points.
Daschle's antics reached a new low this week when Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy broke a commitment to South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond - at age 99 the nation's oldest senator ever and serving his final days in the Senate -abruptly cancelling a vote on a federal appeals court nominee supported by Thurmond.
The nominee, U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Shedd, is not even especially controversial.
A former aide to Thurmond, he also is supported by South Carolina's other senator, liberal Democrat Ernest Hollings. Shedd also has the support of a wide range of interest groups in South Carolina, where he is best known.
But Shedd's great sin apparently is to be a Republican. There's little question that Shedd's nomination will be approved if it reaches the Senate floor.
All of which makes Leahy and Daschle's gutter politics all the more disgusting. The approval of his former protege's nomination is Thurmond's last substantive request of his U.S. Senate colleagues.
Come January, Thurmond will leave the Senate after 48 years of distinguished service. It is safe to say that during those 48 years he has extended many courtesies to his colleagues on nominations and other matters.
Due to his age and infirmities, Thurmond almost never speaks on the Senate floor and rarely speaks in committee meetings.
But after Leahy, in violation of Senate rules, yanked Shedd's nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda - no doubt on Daschle's orders - Thurmond spoke out. He followed up with a Senate floor speech, perhaps his last as a U.S. senator.
"I am hurt and disappointed by this egregious act of destructive politics. ... In my 48 years in the United States Senate," Thurmond declared, "I have never been treated in such a manner."
Leahy is now backpedaling, claiming that he still plans to hold a vote. But the clock is ticking and the Senate will likely adjourn shortly after completing business on the Iraq war resolution.
Senate Republicans and the White House should not let this latest, dirtiest maneuver by Daschle and Leahy stand uncontested.
Republicans should use every possible parliamentary means to force a vote on Judge Shedd's nomination.
President Bush could help that process along - and do Sen. Thurmond a deserved honor - by promising now to use his recess appointment power if the Senate fails to act.
If the White House and the GOP let themselves get rolled this time, then Daschle will only be emboldened to continue his politics of partisan obstruction.
WANNA COME ALONG?
He should be sharing a cell with Walker!
Current Poll Comments:
10/8/02 10:39:55 PM from IP# 65.238.90.63
Bird is a hypocritical, pontificating ass- an embarrassment to WV.
10/9/02 5:13:54 AM from IP# 152.163.188.199
Sen. Byrd is an embarresment to the people who he represents. He is supposed to represent the people of West Virginia, not himself.
10/9/02 11:59:27 AM from IP# 209.49.118.18
sure he is. Babs Striesand and "Meat-head" Reiner are also among his most knowlegeble advisors.
10/9/02 1:15:05 PM from IP# 206.215.214.115
The US was caught sleeping when 9-11 occurred and I can not believe Sen. Byrd is willing to close his eyes to the dangers with Iraq. I cannot see why we should delay action against Iraq when they have never lived up to any of their past promises. Are we going to give them more time to mount an attack against the US?
10/10/02 7:02:06 AM from IP# 66.69.21.254
What are we waiting for?? More deaths here on our land?? The more time you give this maniac the stronger he gets.. It also sends the wrong message to all the terriorist.. Are we to TALK them into quiting while they continue KILLING??
10/10/02 8:19:18 AM from IP# 67.201.77.184
I AGREE WITH SENATOR BYRD.WE SHOULD NOT HURRY AND JUMP INTO SOMETHING AND LATER SEE OUR MISTAKE AFTER NUMBERS OF OUR YOUNG MEN HAS ALREADY BEEN KILLED
10/10/02 1:52:07 PM from IP# 204.30.229.201
He needs to retire.
10/10/02 6:28:36 PM from IP# 198.26.118.37
AFTER WHAT HAPPENED ON 9-11, WE NEED TO GET MAD AND TOUGH.............
10/11/02 8:04:44 AM from IP# 68.18.50.23
How can this paper publish an article condemning Sens. Leahy and Daschle and not condemn KKK-Byrd? Byrd is a disgrace to the Senate, the Country and West Virginia. His tirades on the Senate floor are those of an old drunken senile fool.
What drives this despicable @ssholee is the looney left in academia. Leahy is regularly coached by a number of extreme left academics who have written papers saying: Bush stole the election, Bush is not a "legitimate" president, therefore Leahy should use "all means necessary" to prevent Bush from appointing any judges.
As far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't p*ss on Leahy if he was on fire......
Pegita
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