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55 minus 7 = GOP defeat
The Washington Times ^ | 5-25-05 | Editorial

Posted on 05/25/2005 12:01:41 PM PDT by JZelle

The arithmetic tells the story. The Democrats won the battle over who gets to shape the federal judiciary. In both tone and substance of their rhetoric, the Democrats believe they won, and who can argue with them? The Republican leadership is subdued, as befits a losers' locker room. The Republicans will pay dearly for the events of Monday night, when seven Democratic and seven Republican senators took over the leadership of the Senate, for a long time to come. Since the Republicans occupy the White House and command what ought to be a solid Senate majority of 55 members, this should have been no contest. But for the sixth and seventh Republican defections, the GOP would have had a rare, even historic, opportunity under the Constitution to nominate and approve, in up-or-down votes, highly qualified judges for the nation's highest courts. Because John McCain, John Warner, Lincoln Chafee, Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Mike DeWine abandoned their leaders in the Senate and snubbed the president, that historic opportunity was lost. The deal immediately affects five "pending" appellate-court nominees. The agreement would allow floor votes to proceed for three: Priscilla Owen for the 5th Circuit, Janice Rogers Brown for the D.C. Circuit and William Pryor for the 11th Circuit. The deal immediately dooms the nominations of two others, William Myers III for the 9th Circuit and Henry Saad for the 6th Circuit, by permitting the seven Democratic senators to continue their party's filibusters against them. In addition to these five, Democrats had filibustered five other appellate-court nominees during the 108th Congress, three of whose names were subsequently withdrawn. Democrats threatened to filibuster half a dozen others.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 109th; billfrist; cavein; filibuster; harryreid; johnmccain; judiciary; lindsaygrahm; mikedewine; nuclearoption; olympiasnowe; sellout; susancollind; traitors; ussenate
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To: Dolphy

those 7 Dems mean nothing, we have two hurdles to cross - 2 Rs need to peel off to change the rules, and even if that happens, we then need their actual votes to approve a judge. they could cut us down at either stage of this - either they don't allow the rules change, or they do, but then don't vote for a judge. By controlling these RINOs in whole or in part, the Dems have two ways to stop any judge. Which of the 7 Dems are going to vote to support a pro-life SCOTUS member to replace a current pro-Roe one? The answer - none of them.


61 posted on 05/25/2005 1:36:39 PM PDT by oceanview
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To: penowa

We have not given up the right to an up or down vote on any. The Dems have reserved the "right" to filibuster in the future for extraordinary reasons. As soon as they play that card it will likely be considered bad faith and the rule change will be back on the table. For now we get the vote of advise and consent.


62 posted on 05/25/2005 1:42:08 PM PDT by Ozarks21
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To: EagleUSA

I agree. They're probably just infiltrators anyway hoping the voter's beebers won't stune them out.

mc


63 posted on 05/25/2005 1:42:53 PM PDT by mcshot (Boldly going nowhere with a smile and appreciation for life.)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
"Certainly the ninth needs help"
If that is the same a the "ninth circus", you could have just made the understatement of the year. From what I hear they need lots of help.

Listening to Rush today he had a caller who blamed the entire fiasco on Bill Frist. Claimed that he like Frist, said he was an excellent doctor and a great man but not a persuasive leader. One who can rein in the troops (like the McCAiniacs) when they get a little crazy, or like the 14 did a lot crazy.

It was hard for Rush to refute what he said. I like Frist too but if he can't kick ass and take names when the sh!!t hits the fan........
64 posted on 05/25/2005 1:48:45 PM PDT by rodguy911 (Time to get rid of the UN and the ACLU)
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To: sport
No, the Democrats know they won.

we'll see...........

65 posted on 05/25/2005 1:55:09 PM PDT by beyond the sea (I’m sleeping with myself tonight.........saved in time, thank God my music’s still alive)
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To: beyond the sea
I still see it as a huge problem that Frist let this entire thing get so out of control. I heard(from a caller on Rush's show today) there were lots of threats he could have made to keep the rinos in line but didn't do it.
66 posted on 05/25/2005 2:01:13 PM PDT by rodguy911 (Time to get rid of the UN and the ACLU)
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To: taildragger

It is an illegal contract precisely because Bush is not a party to it. Unfortunately, being the subhuman slime they are, the DemonRats can still argue that the clause entitles them to fillibuster any nominee who isn't vetted through the MOU's unconstitutional preapproval process and they might get at least 6 of the RINOs who signed it to agree. After all, the 7 nitwits were dumb enough to sign it in the first place.


67 posted on 05/25/2005 2:02:20 PM PDT by libstripper
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To: rodguy911
I still see it as a huge problem that Frist let this entire thing get so out of control. I heard(from a caller on Rush's show today) there were lots of threats he could have made to keep the rinos in line but didn't do it.

Frist is a little too gentlemanly for the position, imo.

68 posted on 05/25/2005 2:04:17 PM PDT by beyond the sea (I’m sleeping with myself tonight.........saved in time, thank God my music’s still alive)
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To: JZelle

The party isn't stupid. The Senate leadership is weak and timid and doesn't appear to wish to punish treasonous defectors like the seven dwarfs.

You can make the party much smarter by holding back contributions to any party group that gives money to either of the seven dwarfs. Once they see their contributions taking a nosedive, they'll smarten up real fast.

It's apparent that the old adage that a Republican in office is better than any Democrat is a fallacy. The problem is Liberals and Moderates whether they like elephants or donkeys. Too bad Nast is no longer around to draw an animal just for them.....perhaps a snake would do well.

I think that recall efforts, where possible and feasible, need to be supported, funded and mounted to get these seven out of office or, where not possible, get some good primary challenges going.

When all of usdo our damndest to elect a Republican majority only to have seven snakes like these turn around and spit in our faces, then the others who benefited from our turnout...the President and the Senate and House leadership...need to send each of the seven dwarfs a strong and prejudicial message.


69 posted on 05/25/2005 2:13:48 PM PDT by Postman
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To: beyond the sea

I think you are right and that may get to be a consensus.


70 posted on 05/25/2005 2:31:40 PM PDT by rodguy911 (Time to get rid of the UN and the ACLU)
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To: Postman; All
"you can make the party smarter by holding back contributions"

Funny you should mention that. I have been on the road for three days and all I have heard on Rush, Laura, Hannity, Boortz and Bill Bennett is callers calling in telling the audience that they are not giving the pubbies one more dime until they straighten out their act.It seems to be happening.
71 posted on 05/25/2005 2:35:36 PM PDT by rodguy911 (Time to get rid of the UN and the ACLU)
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To: Dolphy

I hope you are right and I am wrong. But like they said, it's a matter of trust. I have no trust in the 14 power-grabbers.


72 posted on 05/25/2005 2:59:00 PM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Legislatures are so outdated. If you want real political victory, take your issue to court.)
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To: Ozarks21
"We have not given up the right to an up or down vote on any."

Myers and Saad will be filibustered if put up for a vote. Fox (Brit Hume) just reported this is part of the agreement and that the 7 Republican participants agreed to allow the Democrat participants to take part in the filibuster if either name comes to the floor for a vote. We have given up the right (so far) to these two and perhaps all except the three that are part of the written agreement. We have yet to see what other agreements they entered into with the full knowledge of the Republican leadership who kept Frist advised of the negotiations according to Graham.

"For now we get the vote of advise and consent."

What does that mean?

73 posted on 05/25/2005 3:20:06 PM PDT by penowa
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To: oceanview

IF McCain and Graham claim to be pro-life, it is barely so. McCain at one time was, or professed to be, but has been less and less the longer he's been in D.C. As for Graham, he has apparently SAID what he thought would get him elected and then done as he pleased. (Not smart to start that stuff as soon as you get there when the voters are still watching, which is why a senator is vulnerable in his 2nd election.) If these two have to get out of the kitchen because they can't stand the heat, they always have Specter, Voinovich, Smith and many more who will step up to the plate and take their place. (I don't know about DeWine either.)


74 posted on 05/25/2005 3:32:43 PM PDT by penowa
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To: hobbes1

Nice analysis.

Let me add that the "deal" expressly allows the 7 Democrats to vote with their consciences rather than vote with their wacko party "leaders".

It will be interesting to see if the lemming-like pack of MoveOn-led Democrats will NOW start to "lose" a few of its rodents...


75 posted on 05/25/2005 3:36:57 PM PDT by pfony1
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To: Crimson Elephant
The question is, if push came to shove, and the vote was before the 7 Gopers on changing the rules, would 2 of the 7 have voted for the rule change or not?

No, they would have voted against us. Which is why Frist KNEW we had to cave... he lied to us, and did NOT have the votes. PERIOD.

The hope is that the Dems will do something stupid, allow 2 or 3 of the 7 to say the Dems broke the deal, then vote on the rule change.

nice wishing. won't happen, when it comes to power... democrats KNOW how to it and don't do 'stupid' when abortion is on the line....

Or make them fillibuster and shut the Govt down THEN vote on the change.

at this point it's moot, the agreement has been signed. conservative judges are in federal lockdown and the proceedure for advice and consent, has become institutionally and hopelessly bogged down in the definition of what a baby killer considers to be "extreme" or not.

IDIOT republicans LED by Bush/Frist WASTED their political capital earned in this last election on reworking the old Social Security Ponzi schemata.

what a waste.

76 posted on 05/25/2005 3:40:48 PM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (Please don't squeeze the Koran. I gotta go to the bathroom.)
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To: sport

exactly.


77 posted on 05/25/2005 3:41:05 PM PDT by Robert_Paulson2 (Please don't squeeze the Koran. I gotta go to the bathroom.)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
I don't trust them either but I do think there is another crossroads coming up. We will see what DeWine, Graham and Warner do...I hold no hope for McCain, Collins, Snowe or Chafee.
78 posted on 05/25/2005 6:47:26 PM PDT by Dolphy
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To: oceanview
Let me first say that I don't like the deal or those that made it. But the 7 Dems do mean something...they need to either call or join those Dems that do, a nominee an extremist first. If they don't what is Reid going to do? He needs his votes too. Yes, it's true that Frist and company need to peel two of the sickening seven away but we need to get the "extremist" nominee served up to see what happens don't we?
79 posted on 05/25/2005 8:11:33 PM PDT by Dolphy
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To: Dat Mon

Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say either the word "up" or the wrod "down"?


80 posted on 05/25/2005 10:00:54 PM PDT by Run Silent Run Deep (PRAY FOR THOSE THAT HURT AND HATE US)
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