[the Real fifi]

Monday afternoon the Senate will once again engage in the fight to confirm Miguel Estrada. Contrary to some of the postings, the Republican conference of 51 senators has been fantastic. The Republican leadership has kept all other business off the senate floor (one exception and that was a child pornography bill that Hatch wanted) for three, now going onto four, weeks. They have had repeated quorum calls at ungodly hours to drag dems out of bed to say "present" from 11pm-1am. Last week they did that on Wednesday night and had 49 Repubs and only 20 dems--which is a measure of devotion to the issue at hand. The unanimity of the Conference has been and continues to be incredible. Sen. Hatch has been heroic, Sen. Frist has been steady, Sen. Santorum has outspoken. There has been a press conference every single day with Hispanic groups, Hispanic Bush appointees,, conference calls to activists and journalists around the country, demonstsrations by Hispanic activists in New Mexico, Florida, Louisiana, California, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota. 61 newspapers have run editorials demanding that the democrats allow a vote up or down on Estrada.

But what do they hear from the conservative base All they hear is moaning, and whining and "bring in the beds" and 24/7. Wake up. The rules are changed--if they go 24/7 all 51 of the Republicans must be on the floor and only 1 dem. needs to be there. There will be no cost at all paid by the dems. SO LET THE REPUBLICAN SENATORS KNOW YOU SUPPORT THEIR HARDLINE AND THAT YOU APPRECIATE THE ENORMOUS WORK THEY HAVE PERFORMED OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND BLAST THE DEMS FOR THE IMPOSING A NEW POLICY-- THE TYRANNY OF THE MINORITY. Do it now, do it tomorrow, do it Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday. This week will be critical for the President, for the Senate and for an independent judiciary

[TLBSHOW]

BUMP and welcome to Freerepublic

[deport]

welcome aboard.... but things change once the true filibuster begins because then you start the speech limits of two per legislative day, etc. Of course they can play with with motions, etc all of which can drawn out... But this gentleman filibuter will change to different tone if they go full bore.

Whe don't you fly your state flag. Be Proud....

[cyncooper]

The unanimity of the Conference has been and continues to be incredible. Sen. Hatch has been heroic, Sen. Frist has been steady, Sen. Santorum has outspoken.

Thank you for adding to the discussion.

Many of us have observed this with our own eyes. Plus President Bush's extremely strong statement of support for Estrada--I believe Wednesday?--was an indication of what he expected from the Senate. Many of us can see that the 24/7 option is one of last resort, and not one they will shy from using *if need be*. That time is not now.

Again, thanks for that insight.