Estrada Bows Out - Senate Republicans lose another filibuster battle ~ WSJ.

The Wall Street Journal. ^ | Septrmber 4, 2003 | WSJ. Editorial Board

[Elle Bee]

After 28 months in political limbo, Miguel Estrada has decided to withdraw his appellate court nomination and get on with his life. His decision, to be announced today, is a loss for the federal bench and a defeat for Senate Republicans who still haven't decided to make judgeships a fighting issue.

[L.N. Smithee]

My preference was for Bush to just recess appoint these judges and take our chances for re-authorization in January, 2005. That didn't happen, for vaild strategic reasons I'm sure.

Wouldn't you like to know what those reasons are?

[TomGuy]

Yeah, and if you're going to go down the disingenous "Blame the Pubbies" route, have a little honor and find an alternative to the Pubbies.

Uh, the last time I heard, the Pubbies were the majority party. But then, how many Pubbies does it take to make a majority? I guess it depends on what the meaning of "majority" is, huh? Now, who does that sound like?

[ArneFufkin]

Not particularly. Bush has my proxy. It's that simple.

People on this forum who sit in judgement on every policy, every strategic move are PHONIES. Political leaders cannot be judged that way. We're not privy to all the situational elements, strategic goals and political considerations that influence every policy and action. I hired George W. Bush to manage that. I voted Norm Coleman to the Senate and Jim Ramstad to the House. I let them do their jobs.

Nitpickers are frauds.

[ArneFufkin]

No, I'm in Missouri--

Be sure to let Senators Bond and Tallent know about your concerns. Call their offices, follow up with a letter ... don't send an e-mail. If you get solicitations from George Allen at the Pubble Money Committee, let those folks know you're irked and the spigot may be shut for a while. That's how you weild influence. Nothing personal, but Frist doesn't work for you. He works for the Senate Republican Caucus, and the people of Tennessee.

[Miss Marple]

They get a one-time shot on slapping themselves on the back, and it won't go over too well with a lot of people. Plus it won't be THE story on the evening news.

On the other hand, the drama of a prolonged filibuster would be on the news NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, with no doubt Hillary as the hero. She would be cast as "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington" in the news media.

The two photo-ops aren't equal. Let them have their photo-op of beating down an Hispanic immigrant like the bullies that they are. I much prefer that to letting them portray themselves as heroes.

[Trueblackman]

Believe me Freepers I have something big planned here in Washington DC on Monday the 8th or 15th so freepers and lurkers keep those dates open around 10 am and start putting together your signs and bring your bullhorns. The opening shots of the war are about to be fired.

[bimbo]

So could someone please explain to me why, after 25 years of supporting the Republicans, I should bother to even vote in 2004?

This is a damned good question for any Republican seeking political power. I am pretty sick of voting for Republicans thinking that I am supporting Conservative, Constitutional issues. If those Republicans who have the power will not support Conservative Judges and Constitutional issues, what are we expected to do?

[freeangel]

This issue may have decided it for me. If enough "Republicans" feel the same way, the only other option is Libertarian. I feel that they are forcing their constituents to poop or get off the pot if the issues are not now being handled in a satisfactory manner. Apparently, they have not left any room to work within the system.

[Wrigley]

Excellent point.

Some posters here have got to get thier heads out of the sand and actually look at the performance of our President, not the hype.

Pres. Bush is making it very difficult for me to support him.

[Wrigley]

These assclowns can't bolt the GOP fast enough for my liking. Who needs them?

Who needs them? The republican party for one.

Do you actually think the repubs will pick up enough votes from the left and middle to cover the loss of a strong conservative base? Like it or not, there is a lot of discouragement amongst conservatives about our President. I'm one who was very supportive of Pres. Bush, my support is wavering.

[Pietro]

Shame on the GOP for failing to live up to their responsibilities.

Frist you're fired!

Get somebody in there w/ some gonads and let's make this an issue for '04.

[montag813]

Thanks to all the GOP wimps in the Senate. Especially Bill Frist who hasn't got the heart (get it, he's a heart surgeon) to fight the Dems filibusters by forcing a true, 24 hour filibuster.

Amen. Bill "Limp Wrist" Frist and his fellow faggots in the GOP Seneate "leadership" are true cowards. But the buck stops with the President, who chose this "new tone" nonsense over the strong exercise of power by either (1) Forcing 24 hr filibusters or, (2) Making recess appointments.

What galls me also are these FReepers who say "Bush respects the letter of the law" by NOT making recess appointments. This is foolish idealism. Meanwhile dozens of vacancies go unfilled on courts that then retain Klintonian majorities...free to strike down religious freedoms, abortion restrictions, enforce gay mandates et al.

It is all about POWER. And Bush has mostly squandered his high ratings between 9/12/2001 and 9/12/2003 by failing to push through anything (but tax cuts) which wasn't first approved by Ted Kennedy. Very disappointing.

[ImpBill]

"His withdrawal should embarrass Republicans ..."

It should but it won't. The GOP has been taking the easy way out since 1998.

[montag813]

Well well pubbies run true to form, next it will be inviting the UN and the frogs into Iraq.

Yep, all Saudi lapdog Powell and his buttboy Armitage have to do is tell the press "they won't serve in a 2nd Bush term" and now all of a sudden we see pictures nearly every day (as below) of the two of them bending Bush's ear at Crawford. Now they and the U.N. will get their way on Iraq. How soon the worm turns. Shame!

[ArneFufkin]

I'm catching a plane, so my involvement here is kaput. Regards.

[Proud_texan]

Yes, it's easy in the sense you describe but wouldn't it block any other business from being conducted and then who would the public blame?

Maybe the research said that the public would blame R's which then did in the Clinton budget shutdown, dunno.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...The number to beat is 446,000. That's what demigod Pat Buchanan racked up in 2000 after 15 months of loudmouths ripping the GOP here on FR...

The number to beat is really about five hundred. That's how many votes Bush won by last time.
Heading up a pack of gutless fairies isn't going to cut it.

[af_vet_1981]

It amazes me that you all still refuse to put your anger towards the demos who threw out 200 years of Senate precedent.

I'm not angry at all the Republicans. I am angry at almost all the Democrats.

[Cboldt]

If you get solicitations from George Allen at the Pubble Money Committee, let those folks know you're irked and the spigot may be shut for a while. Bump to that. Let them know WHY you are irked, as well.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

I can't tell you why you should vote Republican because I have the same questions. My question to all of you "Bushbots" out there and all of you Frist lovers is what do you think now? For months some of you have bashed those of us who question Bushs and Frists will to fight for conservatives. I knew Frist never would because from the very beginning myself and others have stated over and over again in this forum that Frist had no backbone.

It should be becoming evident to all of you now that neither does George Bush. He has always been a go along to get along president and his only interest is getting re-elected. Over and over again he has given in to the democrats on major issues. Well I'm fed up with it. Where will I go?? Who will I vote for?? I don't know but unless Bush shows some interest in real conservatives and real conservative ideas it won't be for him. It's easy to nominate someone conservative. It's another matter to actually fight for them.

Frist and the whole Republican party are a bunch of no good wimps and they deserve to get their butts kicked by the democrats. Say what you want about democrats but they actually do fight for what they believe in. Republicans don't.