Posted on 05/16/2005 3:33:25 PM PDT by RWR8189
Democratic Leader Harry Reid declared an end Monday to compromise talks with Republican leaders over President Bush's controversial judicial nominees, saying their fate along with the future of long-standing filibuster rules will be settled in a showdown on the Senate floor.
"I've tried to compromise and they want all or nothing, and I can't do that," Reid told reporters after a private meeting with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
"The leader's door remains open to Senator Reid," Frist's spokeswoman, Amy Call, said in reply.
With Democrats threatening to block confirmation votes on several of Bush's appeals court nominees, Frist has threatened to change Senate procedures to strip them of their ability to do so. At issue is the filibuster, a parliamentary device that can be defeated only by a majority of 60 votes or higher.
Reid made his comments at the same time a small group of Democrats, who have been meeting with Republicans also eager to avoid a showdown, floated a proposal under which they would clear the way for confirmation of five nominees while scuttling three others.
Under the proposal, circulated in writing, Republicans would have to pledge no change through 2006 in the Senate's rules that allow filibusters against judicial nominees. For their part, Democrats would commit not to block votes on Bush's Supreme Court or appeals court nominees during the same period, except in extreme circumstances.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Yes, and Lugar had all the Pubbies he needed to confirm Bolton out of committee.....until all of a sudden he didn't. Same thing could just as easily happen with this vote. Don't let down your guard until the Dems stampede to the microphones after the vote to declare the end of the world and they've actually confirmed Justice Owens and/or Rogers-Brown.
Hell, he ALWAYS sounds out of gas. It is only rope-a-dope; watch him pull this off. What have the weakling Republicans done lately to inspire such confidence?
I'm sure the Dimocrats will claim every nominee here on out will qualify as "extreme circumstances".
I swear McCain was dropped on his head as a child or suffered through one too many beatings in Vietnam.
Either that or the Republicans just can't handle being a majority party. They are so used to compromising as the minority they think they still have to do that to be liked. (argh)
I am not getting ready for defeat and I'm disgusted at so many urging we do so. So many suggest the Reps snatch defeat from victory, well judging by some responses I'd suggest that attitude is amongst some in the base as well.
Instead of preparing for defeat which will guarentee defeat, I would rather people pull themselves together. Recognize the MSM is engaged in warfare for the sake of the Dems to attempt to peel off the votes we apparently have. Reid said as much today, they don't have the votes.
E-Mail, fax, Call. All Senators. This is a war and it will intensify in the days leading to this vote.
He's running.
Then you had better tell Reid that since he was on TV today practically crying because he didn't have 6 votes yet lined up.
Why don't they solve this
one way or the other and
get on with business?!
Aw, he ain't asking for much. Just a half dozen guys to commit political suicide.
My attitude is not so much one of getting ready for defeat but of not letting up the pressure until the vote has been taken. As I said in a previous post, Lugar was confident he had the votes to confirm Bolton in committee until he didn't. Frist may be confident right up until the moment of the vote that he as the 50 votes he needs....until one of our beloved RINOS decides that his face time in front of the microphone as the hero of the Dems and the MSM is more important than confirming these judges....especially judges with whom they are, deep down, none too comfortable! So, just don't count the Pubbies until they actually vote. Keep calling like you're on the losing side of the issue so that the pressure stays intense and will buck up any sudden attacks of weak-knees or spinelessness.
Yeah, two women and four twits I reckon.
David Espo is a DemocRAT pimp at the Associated Press. I take anything that he says with a bucket of salt. He has no credibility.
If any Republican senators take Reid's bait and try to throw overboard ANY of President Bush's nominees they should feel the full wrath of the Republican base. They should be hit by a firestorm that they will not soon forget.
I am not counting on anything. I remember the Bolton vote. It was that vote that spurred action on judges.
But there is too much defeatism, and unsubstiated thoughts running through these threads the last couple of days that it does more harm then good.
We put the scare into the Republicans that got this moved front and center. They currently have the votes because we made it understood we WILL vote on this issue alone.
People therefore coming on and saying it's DEAD, count on DEFEAT infuriates me. I didn't spend the last three and more weeks day after day on this issue to allow pessimists to jump in and defeat momentum that is clearly on our side. Whatever happens, happens. But until then I refuse to sit idly by while some people try to convince us it isn't worth the effort.
I do expect everyone to be contacting their representatives today, tomorrow, and everyday until all those judges are on the bench. The MSM is going to attempt to do the Dems dirty work and peel off those votes. It's up to us to make sure they don't.
Reid, who has been trying for more than a month to reach a compromise with Frist, said: "I don't think Senator Frist is capable of working something out on this. I think he is going to try to satisfy the radical right."
Please, please, satisfy the radical right LOL
Fair enough!
After all, it worked for bill!
Hel-friggin'-lo!!!
Yes, I realize that the repubs can sometimes seem rather dimwitted, but lately, the dems have looked like they've been absolutely pummeled by the stupid stick if they thought this would fly!
Long standing filibuster rules... what has it been, 2 years?
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