A New Move on Estrada ('Tain't over yet!)

National Review Online ^ | 2/28/2003 | Byron York

[ArcLight]

In perhaps its most forceful effort yet to break the stalemate over the appeals-court nomination of Miguel Estrada, the White House has now invited every member of the Senate who has doubts about Estrada's legal views to submit written questions to Estrada by the close of business Friday. In a letter delivered Thursday to all 100 senators, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales said Estrada will respond by next Tuesday.

[deport]

Thanks.... what about amendments? can they be added?

[deport]

But the paragraph I highlited about pulling them out of the trenches is the words of Senator Frist. That would be his intent and that's what we should look for over the next period of time, however long that is. But some get all in a lather and want immediate results. Won't answer questions.

[cyncooper]

Some of us were talking last night that the Fox Story was wrong about a vote. I thought Major Garrett had it totally wrong as he didn't even get what happened Wenesday night's vote right. It was only a Quorum Call not a vote to end debate.

That is correct. Those of us who heard Senator Frist with our own ears, not to mention the brilliant way Sen. Hatch has been behaving, then last, but not least, President Bush making his impassioned statement just two days ago, COMMON SENSE showed the way.

And it wasn't pointing to a cave in.

(I haven't read past your post--did anybody admit they were wrong, yet??)

[cubreporter]

I have full faith in President Bush as I know he will stand behind Estrada till the end. I will have to wait and see the others...sorry. That's my opinion.

[cyncooper]

Disregard my questioning if you had admitted you and Rush were wrong---you did and you deserve recognition for doing so.

[MHGinTN]

The feckless filibuster isn't actually about Miguel Estrada, it is about the obstructionism the democrats feel essential in order to live out their opposition to this administration, their effort to prevent this Presdient from succeeding, even in our protection! That's why I've named the current democrat party leadership as the Axis Of Acorns ... the bitter little nuts fallen from the clinton dead-tree, unfit for aural consumption.

[Huck]

Let's hang in there folks.

[woodyinscc]

I keep telling everyone, when Pres. Bush said "I will stand by this man until he is confirmed" he drew the line in the sand! The Senate R's will do the same.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Normally, yes, but during a nomination, no. I was wrong about one thing though. Each Senator can take the floor twice without consent of the Senate, so that can drag it out a bit longer.

But this is the system used to break a filibuster:

A) Democrats start debating.
B) 5 Republican Senators stand near a door to the chamber watching and counting the Democratic Senators.
C) When enough Democrats are out of the room, 4 of the Republican Senators leave the chamber and the 5th Republican Senator ask for a quorum count.
D) When it is shown that a quorum is not present, the Seargant-at-arms is sent to compel all the Senators to the chamber.
E) After all the Senators have checked in, repeat step A.

This causes great distress on older Senators, and since our two most fragile statesmen, Helms and Thurmond, are now retired, it will be most stressful on Byrd and Hollings.

[PhiKapMom]

This has been so frustrating on here! Bad enough we have to fight the RATs but half the time last night it was fighting other Freepers with their anti-Frist stance and being sure Republicans were caving.

Some just don't understand strategy at play! Not everything happens immediately just like you have stated!

[Roughneck]

So, should we all e-mail/telephone/fax Frist and inform him that "we the people" are sick and tired of watching Republicans roll over like yellow dogs??

Tell him to put the Dems on 24/7 fillibuster - see how committed they are then!

Think I will.

[cyncooper]

Axis Of Acorns

Kinda catchy!

[PhiKapMom]

I haven't read back either! All I know is that there are too many folks ready to throw in the towel that were not with us on the thread at 2:00 in the morning to see what happened!

[PhiKapMom]

I think that is a great idea! The more support Republicans receive, the more they are likely to remain emboldened!

[cyncooper]

I wasn't there at 2a.m., but I never thought for one minute that the Republicans were backing down.

Kudos to you guys that can stick it out into the wee hours!

[TLBSHOW]

No problem, I just went to get my daughter from School so I am back now. On we go.........

[cyncooper]

See posts, beginning with my #179 for the latest.

[PhiKapMom]

I kept saying I was getting off and then realized that first Sessions and then Lindsey Graham were going to talk and ended up with Senator Frist putting a lot of items in the record!

Then I had to get up early to finish up something I had due as I work out of the house and wanted to be ready for yesterday's debate which wasn't all that much and with FR being so slow it wasn't worth it to post.

Last night -- in bed EARLY!

[Roughneck]

"I haven't read back either! All I know is that there are too many folks ready to throw in the towel that were not with us on the thread at 2:00 in the morning to see what happened!"

You got me on that one! Guess I should have read further before posting - Rush got me all steamed up at lunch, and I posted immediately.

Now, just what did happen at 2 am?

[woodyinscc]

I was there! wait woody, don't pat yourself on the back too soon, it was only 11:00 here!!