LIVE THREAD: Estrada Filibuster

http://freerepublic.com ^ | March 3, 2003

[Howlin]

Live stream from C-SPAN

Comments and discussion of the live coverage of the continuing Estrada filibuster.

[woodyinscc]

Force dims to keep voting against Estrada. Game of chicken!

Story last week not accurate!

A losing 55 votes for cloture does not stop the nom.,
keeps the filibuster going

[Howlin]

I'm back....what's going on?

[RobFromGa]

as far as I'm concerned Filibusters are all a big game of chicken. It is a stupid procedural requirement that needs to be retired (at least for advice/consent issues).

[ez]

I'm Sorry, is Harkin saying that VIETNAM, was an EXERCISE IN IMPERIAL COLONIALISM?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?

OK, then where's our colony?

[nfldgirl]

I have a question and would appreciate any-n-all Freeper feedback (and I've not read this thread so am not sure if the answer is already been posted, so please bear with me.)

If the Democrats continue to say that they are NOT filibustering the nomination, then why doesn't the Republican MAJORITY -- the one that's supposed to lead the Senate's business -- call for the vote on Estrada. If the DEMs are NOT filibustering, then there's no reason why they can't call for an up-or-down vote and be done with this. On the other hand, if they are filibustering, then why aren't the Republicans forcing them to come right out with it and get it on the record that the DEMs are, in fact, filibustering this nominee? (Appreciate any help on getting me straight with this.)

[VRWC_minion]

Sounds like the R's found a way out so thy can avoid a filibuster and save face by claiming they will keep bringing this back until Rats go along or we forget. Whichever comes first.

[Dolphy]

Rush sounds really lame on Estrada. He is "Rushy come lately" to the politics of the Estrada nomination.

[mabelkitty]

I GET IT NOW, I GET IT NOW!!
Dems can't go on campaign trail if vote keeps coming up in Senate!!

Hillary not there today. Who else will be gone for Prez campaign stops? Kerry, Edwards, Lieberman, etc? If they all leave, that's enough to put Estrada over the top.

[TLBSHOW]

I am going to join Rush 24/7 to hear it again I don't think he said that part you said he did. If I am wrong I will say it. I think you just spun!

[Political Junkie Too]

Rush is saying just what I posted on Saturday in this thread:

Maybe I'm being anal here (it won't be the first time), but is a filibuster not a filibuster until it is attempted to shut it off? The House has a cloture rule that automatically ends debate; the Senate has a cloture vote that allows for unlimited debate. Until someone tries to stop debate, it is just debate. Once an attempt to stop debate fails and debate continues, wouldn't that then become filibuster?

-PJ

[RobFromGa]

I think that her post was accurate. Deep breath, we are all on the same side...

[Howlin]

I was in the car coming home, but that is exactly what Rush said.

[woodyinscc]

as far as I'm concerned Filibusters are all a big game of chicken. It is a stupid procedural requirement that needs to be retired (at least for advice/consent issues). "


As long as the dims are in the minority, it will never happen!
I think it needs 67 votes to change Senate rules.

If the R's were in the minority, I do not think it would happen either.

[Howlin]

That's what it sounds like to me.

[cyncooper]

Rush does not sound against the plan, really.

What he is describing is exactly what some of us perceived and tried to explain last week. He recognizes that the dems are backing themselves in a corner.

He's totally backed off the "caving" idea.

Rush: You can tell the dems are the ones obstructing.

[Miss Marple]

I think you are on to something. Now I am sure we are tracking the whereabouts of all Rat senators. They know we are doing it, so they have to jiggle their schedules so that there are enough of them there. This keeps a bunch of them from fundraisers and campaign appearances.

A genuine two-fer!! Congratulations on your excellent reasoning!

[RobFromGa]

Rush:

The GOP wants the Dems to have 20+ votes against Estrada.

caller: Estrada is smart plan by Dems, Bush loses momentum, Dems get to set judge appt rules for future, Hispanics will stay with Dems anyway. Smart strategy.

Rush: Not want to be part of party who harms America for advantage.

[mabelkitty]

Why thank you. And furthermore, it is in the Constitution that a Senator must be PRESENT in order to vote.

This puts them at a disadvantage.

[VRWC_minion]

That is what Rush said. But what Rush didn't say is the R's have no incentive to keep reminding their base that they lost this. The temptations for R's to keep avoiding the fight is going to be too great for the R's.

Also, if the rats know there won't be a 24/7 filibuster R's have no leverage

I assumed that the Estrada vote would keep coming up.

[Dolphy]

I agree, I think many of us touched on all of these angles, last week.