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.

[Mo1]

Martha Stewart has been charged.

Charged???

Was there a prep walk?

[Howlin]

Sessions now. You can all turn your mutes off!

[Alamo-Girl]

I don't see why the DemocRATs' mounting this filibuster (whether it's called that or not) doesn't already set that precedent.

I agree with you, but I think that is what is behind this - neither party wants to have the "filibuster" arrow removed from their quiver.

If it were my choice, I would force the vote and then bring suit and push it up as quickly as possible to the Supreme Court to determine whether or not filibusters of judicial nominations are indeed unconstitutional!

[woodyinscc]

Hollins! what a disaster in the Senate

Claims Bush left the money behind! and the kids.

The last time I looked, he signed the biggest ed. bill in history, sponsered by the swimmer!!

[Miss Marple]

Hmmm. I woner where they got that information. I wonder if someone on the Intelligence Committee leaked it to them.

I wonder who would have done that....

[Howlin]

I think the repeated quorum calls are going to make those presidential candidate senators a bit testy.

Am I mistaken, or have we not seen ANY of those guys speaking on the floor on this issue?

[TLBSHOW]

They need to get their stories correct I have almost 10 stories that say its a filibuster and the bluff wasn't this new bluff spin.


Hey Frist 24/7 or nothing........

[aristeides]

Edwards is on the Judiciary Committee. Has he spoken during this filibuster? (I think I remember him doing so.)

[Miss Marple]

I think he spoke at the very beginning. Since all the shenanigans started, he has been noticeably absent.

[PhilDragoo]

And no Clinton to pardon her.

And that's a good thing.

[VRWC_minion]

I don't believe it will be a true filibuster until a after a cloture vote is called for. There are two ways to end debate and go on to vote for Estrada. These are by unanimous consent in which everyone agrees or by force using a cloture vote. I suspect that until a cloture vote is called and lost we don't really have a filibuster in the purist sense because the debating now its what "normally" happens.

When a cloture vote occurs then the vote for Estrada would follow unless we don't get 60. If we don't get 60 then we would be in a "true" filibuster so long as the senate stays in session.

[woodyinscc]

Am I mistaken, or have we not seen ANY of those guys speaking on the floor on this issue?


Heaven forbid! they go on record against an Hispanic.

They will let others do the dirty work!!

They are "clintonized"

[justshe]

Do I understand correctly, that IF this were an actual filibuster....NO other Senate business could be conducted? Under this 'open debate', other Senate business IS being done.

[Howlin]

If he did, I sure missed it. He's such a weasel! If you see him speaking, ping me so I can hiss and boo. I'm so embarassed this state elected that man.

[aristeides]

When a cloture vote occurs then the vote for Estrada would follow unless we don't get 60.

I believe that the situation after a failed cloture vote would be precisely the same as before it: Senate debate can only be ended by either unanimous consent or a successful cloture vote. Seems to me we're in just as much of a filibuster now as we would be then.

[Howlin]

As I said above, they should let Fritz speak forever; leaving aside that we would all stroke out, he's a good face to put on the DNC.

[Howlin]

You are correct - move to the head of the class!

[aristeides]

Do I understand correctly, that IF this were an actual filibuster....NO other Senate business could be conducted? Under this 'open debate', other Senate business IS being done.

I don't think that's true. I think the other business is being conducted now under unanimous consent, and that it could be just as well so conducted after a failed cloture vote.

[aristeides]

Do I understand correctly, that IF this were an actual filibuster....NO other Senate business could be conducted? Under this 'open debate', other Senate business IS being done.

I don't think that's true. I think the other business is being conducted now under unanimous consent, and that it could be just as well so conducted after a failed cloture vote.

[Sacajaweau]

It's a blackmail process and NORMALLY applies to legislation and goes like this...

Okay, we'll stop talking but you need 60 votes to get this guy in, not 51.