As always, please, no HUGE graphics
The Filibuster, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (The Constitutionality of the Filibuster)
Filibusters and Cloture in the US Sentate
Standing Rules of the US Senate
Tedious and Unconstitutional -- The Democrats' Estrada filibuster is a national disgrace.
Today I take to the streets of Indianapolis at noon in my own attempt to inform my fellow Hoosiers of the creepy vote my own senator-that would be Bayh- made yesterday. I want to inform the working folks.
I have called his office so many times in the past few weeks simply to learn two things.
Yesterday I DEMANDED an answer. And astoundingly-his office in DC called me back early last evening with a response.
The questions I wanted answered:
#1-Has Bayh even bothered to take up Mr Estrada's offer to meet and discuss his qualifications?
#2-And has Bayh even proffered one written question to Mr Estrada since he (Mr Bayh) has said he was undecided and listening to the debate on the senate floor.
His staffer informed me that Senator Bayh has done neither.
I am disgusted and offended that someone can claim answers are not forthcoming when that same person had taken NO RESPONSIBILITY to uncover said answers.
Senator Bayh, IMHO, made an UNFAIR, DISGUSTING, UNINFORMED vote yesterday thru his own CHOICE to remain uninformed.
That is not statesmanlike, that is not senatorial in the least, and it is HARMFUL to our senate, our nomination process and our nation.
Today I stand outside his office and begin my quest to inform my fellow Hoosiers of what Bayh is doing.
Most don't know of this-the mainstream media is playing it down. But here I am going to attempt to change this-one person at a time, just like PResident Bush says we can change one heart at a time.
Bayh and other like minded senators are DEPENDING on their VOTERS being UNFAMILIAR with the horror they are perpetrating on our senate floor.
We can change this.
I intend to try.
GO MIGUEL ESTRADA!
That doesn't mean Frist and GOP couldn't apply more pressure in various ways, but if they have a plan to do so, it isn't in the open.
Couldn't the President use a letter stating their consent from a majority of Senators as his consent?
Why is an actual vote needed?
I would like to see President Bush have Estrada sworn in and when the minority challenge this, he can say that he has already received the advise and consent of the majority of the Senate. Then he could show them the letter that was signed by 55 Senators.
Even if there are Senate rules requiring a vote, they would have to sue , and I don't see how the court would view a minority filibuster as constitutional when it comes to naming nominees.
Is this a strategy that could possibly work?