[Congressman Billybob]

Started writing this at midnight. Squarely on a subject of keen interest to all Freepers.

[TheBigB]

Ben Nelson is from Nebraska, not Florida.

[RexBeach]

The Republicans brought knives to a gunfight. Wussies.

[Lazamataz]

Thanks. I hope you are right, however, consider this: Momentum has been lost, and thusly, the Constitutional Option is likely dead.

I'm viewing this as a rout.

[BIGLOOK]

Bump

Thanks Billybob...I need more time to mull this over...off to work.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

You named the wrong stinking rino traitor from Rogue's Island.

The thieving lying traitor John Chafee is thankfully dead.
It's his weaselly lying thieving traitor son, Stinkin Lincoln Chafee of Virginia who betrayed us THIS time.

[King Prout]

well done. cogent.

[Carry_Okie]

I'm wondering what this means for Bolton, an extraordinary nominee.

[PeskyOne]

Very good article. Ben Nelson is from Nebraska and Bill Nelson is from Florida; however, they both have the same problem. I understand Nelson and Hagel are in trouble, and that's why Hagel backed away from the "McCainiacs".

[steveegg]

You're assuming that all three get confirmed. There is no way that even the "moderate" RATs would have agreed if the RINOs didn't agree to deep-six at least one of the 3 (most likely Pryor) on the floor.

[zebrahead]

While I would have liked to see more than 3 of the blocked judges get through, I can understand why the deal was made and I believe it is more of a win for us than the Dems. First off, it is still unclear whether Frist had the votes to win under the nuclear option. I've read that Specter is saying he would have supported it, but I'm pretty sure McCain, Chaffee, Collins, and Snowe were all against it. Other than DeWine, who said he favors the nuclear option if the Dems break the agreement, I've not seen any inclination one way or the other from the other GOP senators involved in this deal. Given the uncertain outcome of such a vote, they cut the deal so that we wouldn't be left with nothing, which is what very well might have happened if the nuclear vote had failed. In terms of the actual judges that will be allowed to get through, this IS a positive development. The Dems cannot be happy that Brown, Owen, and Pryor will now all be on the bench. Plus, the balance of power will shift in the Sixth Circuit with McKeague, Griffin, and Neilson being guaranteed up-or-down votes. Of course, I'd rather see all the nominees get through, but getting these six is significant and it does make this a win for us. The Dems goal this entire time has been to keep as many of Bush's nominees out of the federal appeals courts as possible and they have failed. Reid couldn't keep their coalition together any better than Frist could and their supposed solidarity is now broken. All in all, it's not what I had hoped for, but at least it's has some benefits for our side. You can't say the same for the Dems.

[Milhous]

Frist needs 2 more conservative votes to reform the judiciary. Remember recalcitrant RINOs who voted against the Constitutional Option

Senate RINOs opposing the nuclear constitutional option

Next Election	Name	State
2006	Snowe	ME
2006	Chafee	RI
2006	DeWine	OH
2008	Graham	SC
2008	Warner	VA
2008	Collins	ME
2010	McCain	AZ

[layman]

I often watch C-Span and have noticed that senators and representatives refer to one another as 'the gentleman from Ohio' or 'the gentleman from Georgia', etc. So, in keeping with senate tradition, I would like to address 'the gentleman from Arizona'. 'The gentleman from Arizona' is an ass.

[Bush 100 Percent]

Congressman Billybob, I've been looking for your input over the last few days. Wish I could be optimistic, but I just haven't been able to sell myself that bridge ....

Your comment says it all:


"Far from affirming the Senate as an institution, this Compromise has covered it in shame".

[Bush 100 Percent]

Congressman Billybob,

What do you think about the fact that Sen Graham and Sen DeWine are ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE?

[bert]

....The saddest entry is Lindsey Graham. He was a man of principle in the House.....

Actually he vassilated for weeks on the impeachment. As I recall he thought one way one day and differently on another. I recall a massive FReeper letter writing campaign to try to make him see the light. Freepers like to talk about spineless..... Grahm is the very definition.

Thanks for your analysis.

[Nam Vet]

I have a new motto for these make believe senators.

VENI, VIDI, VICTUS SUM*

Nam Vet

.

* I came, I saw, I WAS conquered (If any memory of Latin remains)

[ForGod'sSake]

Another insightful piece. Well done.

FGS

[John Valentine]

Great stuff as always..

But this? "If, not when, the Democrats filibuster an “ordinary” nominee,...

Don't you mean "When, not if"...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your insight!

I agree that it may all come to a head again very soon when the Supreme Court is the subject. I believe they will have to object to a filibuster at that time, because "extraordinary" cannot be used to resist Scalia moving up or a conservative replacing him, since the left/right balance would remain the same on the court.

However, if one of the liberal USSC justices were to retire...

They ought to be glad I am not President - by their attempted power grab and dictating demands on the office of the President - I would probably send them Ken Starr for the Supreme Court to replace Scalia. LOL!

[SAJ]

Entirely accurate.

Entirely eloquent.

And, given its accuracy, entirely sad.

Do we still possibly have a latter-day Cicero who will chastise these vermin on behalf of the citizens and what's left of our Republic? Quo usque tandem abutere, Senatores, patientia nostra?

An excellent essay, John, and many thanks!