Posted on 05/10/2005 2:08:07 PM PDT by Cedar
Dobson: Lott Has Brokered Deal on Filibuster
By Chad Groening and Jody Brown May 10, 2005
(AgapePress) - A prominent pro-family leader says he is "disgusted and alarmed" that Mississippi Republican Senator Trent Lott appears ready to cut a deal with Senate Democrats to preserve their right to filibuster President Bush's judicial nominees.
On Tuesday (May 10), Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family told Don Wildmon, chairman and founder of the American Family Association, that a "totally reliable source" informed him that the senior senator from Mississippi has arranged a deal that would effectively prevent Majority Leader Bill Frist from invoking the constitutional option -- sometimes referred to as the "nuclear option" -- to stop the Democrats' continued filibuster against the president's conservative judicial nominees.
Speaking to Wildmon on American Family Radio's AFA Report, Dobson conveyed his feelings about the report given to him by that source.
"I don't remember being so disgusted and alarmed by what I just had confirmed in the Senate as I am now," Dobson stated emphatically. "Senator Trent Lott is about to sabotage Majority Leader Frist and cut a separate deal with the Democrats to preserve the filibuster of judges."
According to Dobson, Lott and five other GOP senators will join six Democrats in the arrangement. "The deal, which Senator Lott vigorously denied yesterday, proposes that four of the ten filibustered judges would be confirmed -- but that the filibuster would remain intact," the Focus on the Family founder says.
What's in it for the Democrats? Dobson explains: "The Democrats, for what it's worth, have promised not to filibuster [nominees for] Supreme Court justice [vacancies] unless there were 'extreme circumstances,'" Dobson says skeptically. "Guess what that means: it means that it's business as usual."
The possible deal was first mentioned on Monday (May 9) by Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper. Wildmon, like Dobson, voiced strong feelings about the plan at that time. "This is exactly the kind of compromise the liberals have been looking for," Wildmon stated in an Action Alert to his organization's supporters on Tuesday morning, distributed before he received word from Dobson. "Senator Lott's proposal will do nothing but allow the liberals to still be in control."
Wildmon describes the vote to end the filibuster as "the most important vote taken this year in the Senate" -- and Senator Lott's proposal, he says, "means we lose."
When he received word on Monday of the possible deal being discussed by Lott and Senate Democrats, Wildmon began alerting listeners to his American Family Radio stations throughout the Magnolia State, encouraging them to call the senator's main office in Washington, DC, and district offices located in four Mississippi cities, and providing phone numbers for those offices. Lott's offices were reportedly kept very busy fielding calls from constituents voicing their opinion on the filibuster deal.
© 2005 AgapePress
Maybe this is a "trial balloon" put out by Lott to cover Frist?
How about the Free Republic Party?
Sounds good to me---we certainly have a forum and FR does get national attention....
Ya'll write the platform, then we'll find some candidates!
Sounds good, but will the candidates be liberal FReepers or conservative FReepers?
Wow, what else is new? Republicans caving to the socialist democrat minority. So, no new news here.
That's what I was thinking!! Even FR has FRINO'S.
"I certainly hope Santorum wins re-elect so he can lead these clowns."
That is a joke, right??? Santorum is a sell-out as far as I'm concerned. Who was that PROLIFE candidate in PA who was abandoned by Bush and Santorum? Now we are stuck with good ole Arlen, Mr. moderate himself.
Conservative, of course....
What kind of ninny wants to play footsie with DEMORATS?
Strategery
and hold the Schardenfreude
"Wow, what else is new? Republicans caving to the socialist democrat minority. So, no new news here."
We must all have Attention Deficit Disorder here...:)
Pray for W and Our Troops
Yep, I'd definitely want to see the screen name first.. {:-}
It'd be fun to see who might be nominated.
Great! It's actions like yours that help keep the country afloat.
I don't think it is Bush right now---he can't get openly involved in the Senate or House business.
Remember the hissy fit that Reid threw because Cheney had the audacity to mention the vote in a speech and said he would be there if necessary, BUT, he is a member of the Senate...Bush isn't.
WISH we had a Republican we could call......but here in the Western Socialist State of Washington.....we're, well, outta luck.
this, and coughing up $1 Billion to pay ILLEGALS medical bills....RINO's about out number the group
what the hell is going on????
By their works you will know them
And Lott plans to be Majority Leader in 2007?
I hope the traitor gets beat next election.
You better watch out saying such things here on FR.... Flame wars have started over any sort of suggestion of 3rd parties.
When was Lott elected president of the senate again???
I wonder where the money is in this one.
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