SENATE ESTRADA FILIBUSTER (Live Thread)

[RobFromGa]

Senate Takes Up Estrada again-- 930am EST

Up Now...

C-SPAN2 Internet Link

[Teacher317]

Republicans have gone to the mattresses, which former Majority Leader Trent Lott was never willing to do. They are going to break the back of Democrat opposition in the Senate, here and now.

Wow. THAT would be a marvel to behold. Let's hope it comes to pass, especially now that war is imminent (and I don't think we citizens are prepared for what is going to happen outside of Iraq).

[kcvl]

NARAL is losing touch with reality! ROFLOL



URGENT! CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW!
NARAL Pro-Choice America urges you to call your U.S. Senators toll free TODAY at 1-888-508-2974. Ask the operator for each of your Senators and then urge them to oppose President Bush's efforts to stack the federal courts with ideologues like Miguel Estrada. Tell your legislators that they must not act as a "rubber stamp" on President Bush's judicial nominees by confirming those who refuse to answer questions and whose records indicate a hostility to important equal opportunity principles that protect the rights of all Americans. If you have trouble getting through, let us know at (202) 973-3000.


There's a great deal of opposition to Estrada's nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals. NARAL Pro-Choice America, other reproductive rights and women's organizations, and many civil rights, environmental, and labor groups oppose Estrada's nomination because he has refused to answer questions about critical issues, including the right to privacy. Steamrolling should not be rewarded with a lifetime appointment to the bench.

[hoosiermama]

What will REALLY piss them off is: each one who had stated present at the last roll call(Which if my memory is correct were mainly Rats) will be registered in the "AYE" column. TEEheehehe

[PhiKapMom]

I wish but my screen name was picked by my son and his fraternity at the University of Oklahoma -- Phi Kappa Sigma or PhiKap for short. I was hunting a screen name and since I am their "unofficial" House Mom, they suggested the name. Only Mom here in Norman for the guys in the House!

My youngest daughter enters OU next fall and is looking to pledge the Delta Gamma house so I might have to change the name to DGMom according to her.

[freebilly]

Buon giorno!

[freebilly]

I am an appointed commissioner (Republican) in Sonoma County, and a rare one at that

I don't believe it. An appointed Republican in this area! How did Ernie Carpenter or Mike Reilly allow that to happen...?

[PhiKapMom]

You are so right! Some folks on here don't understand strategy when they see it. You work within the Rules! Sen Frist has fired the first shots and now the RATs do not know what he is going to do next. They will go to bed not knowing if the Senator will call for a Quorum Call and roust them out of bed.

As one person pointed out -- great psychological warfare!

Couldn't agree more and the naysayers on this thread are just that -- nothing Republicans ever do is right with them especially Senator Frist! Couldn't believe it when people thought Sen Frist caved last night -- they found out he didn't -- just more strategy.

Sen Frist reminded me of the years where the Plans and Programs offices in the AF would come up with all kinds of scenarios/strategy of what could or couldn't be be done. Would say that Senator Frist has a definite plan of attack! Very interesting to sit here and watch this play out!

[PhiKapMom]

Someone back up the thread said he worked for lawfirm that was hired by Bush/Cheney. I was too tired last night to remember or check!

[Cboldt]

Buon Giorno!

I do prefer the sound of Italian to the sound of French, but don't understand but a handful of words in either.

Italian countryside is gorgeous, people are friendly, and the food is the BEST.

[T. Jefferson]

Her tactic is to push as hard as possible in the direction she wants to go and step back when she loses. You know, the old marxist maxim -- two steps forward, one step back.

Her results are 2 steps backward, one leap backward. Since Bill and Hill came in town, they've lost the White House, the House and Senate, the governors and the last election was a Republican state legislators landslide. Down the road some day historians will realize they've done more damage to a political party than anyone in history. Everytime Hillary speaks she creates republican votes.

[nyconse]

Dear Sen. Biden;

I used to be a Democrat. I left the party because of President Clinton. I would never consider voting for a Democrat unless the super partisan (at the expense of the country) nonsense like the Estrada filibuster ends. I would like you to explain how you obtained illegal documents. I really admired you and am very upset about this. One time, you behaved very decently to Strom Thurmond-an old man. Your behavior impressed me. It was in stark contrast to "modern" Democrats and reminded me why at one time I was proud to call myself a Democrat. Perhaps you remember, Daschle and Clinton et al were trying to send Sen. Thurmond to the hospital by forcing him to stay on the floor past the point of exhaustion. You tried to send Sen. Thurmond home. You have been in the Senate quite a while. You know the Estrada filibuster is wrong and will hurt this country. Yet, you do not speak against this filibuster and you apparently have illegal documents. I am shocked and disappointed. I thought you were one of the good guys: a man who put his country's welfare above partisan politics.

You know forcing the Senate to confirm judges with a super majority is a direct assault on the separation of powers and an assault on our constitution.

If the Democrats succeed in blocking Estrada's nomination what will they have accomplished? I promise you, this will never end. The next time there is a Democrat president, the Republicans will pay the Democrats back; it will be gridlock and this time Sen. Hatch won't intervene and make Republicans play fair. Good and decent people- liberals and conservatives will be forever barred from the judiciary. The big "losers" (of course---as usual) will be the American people.

[freebilly]

The GOP isn't going to fight a real fight. I'll believe it once they force the filibuster to be a real one....24/7!

You weren't paying attention to what happened in the wee hours, were you...?

[hoosiermama]

If my memory is correct is was the law firm who took the FloriDUH decision to the Supreme Court AND WON. I think the reason Breaux stated not present when the last roll was called may be because he didn't want to be on the affirmative side. The "R" must have forwarned him. He will not be very popular with his Rat friends.

[freebilly]

Italian countryside is gorgeous, people are friendly, and the food is the BEST.

And they speak no French there....

[PhiKapMom]

Good Morning! Looks like when the first Quorum call was issued they would have had a quorum (barely if Breaux voted yes) so I believe you are right -- Breaux had forewarning and thus voted no to keep a quorum from happening so the RATs would be called out to come to the Senate!

[hchutch]

Dare I say this may be the influence of people like Karl Rove and Grover Norquist, people who have been the architects of SUCCESSFUL campaigns for conservative candidates for office?

I know this may not be popular with some here, but perhaps their influence is really a net positive for conservatives.

[Dog]

What did I miss......Miss Marple said over on ATRW thread that the crap hit the fan last night..

What happened??

[Dog]

What did I miss......Miss Marple said over on ATRW thread that the crap hit the fan last night..

What happened??

[hoosiermama]

Wondering now if Breaux has plans to "Jump the aisle"? Or if Hittlery can get him back some way? Is he in a secure area? He really has my respect.

[PhiKapMom]

Karl Rove is one my favorite people in the Administration because I credit him for the strategy in coordination with Senator Frist that allowed Republicans to Take Back the Senate!