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.

[Carolinamom]

LOL! And where is Chelsea's Volkswagon convertible?

[EllaMinnow]

Every time I think of "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" I start hoping one of the dems will do a Claude Rains in the cloakroom...preferably Leahy...but any number of them will suit me just as well.

[EllaMinnow]

My remote finger was slow on the trigger, so I only caught the very end.

[maica]

Senator Frist had said that he would call for the vote on Tuesday. The number of hours that then have to transpire brings the actual vote to Thursday. The Dems will have to vote by name on not allowing the Estrada nomination to come to the floor. It will not mean the end of his nomination.

[Political Junkie Too]

Can anybody think of anything that has not been said a zillion times already?

Yes. That 1) Estrada hasn't answered any questions, 2) Estrada is not qualified, 3) Estrada doesn't need the job, 4) Republicans blocked Clinton appointments, 5) Estrada is too far outside the mainstream.

There, that should make it an even zillion. ;-)

-PJ

[Ramtek57]

Thanks for the wrap-up.

[Iwo Jima]

I have had to play catch-up on this thread and this issue. You have done yeoman's work in managing this thread. Good job!

I saw the FOX News interview with Bill Frist. It was crystal clear to any sentient bering that Frist and the Republicans were NOT caving in. Frist specifically stated that a cloture vote was the beginning -- not the end -- of the confirmation battle, as it would smoke out those who were in favor of or opposed to the nomination and thereby give them information about where their persuasive efforts should b e spent.

It is inconceivable to me how any well-meaning person could have misinterpreted his remarks to mean that the Republicans were "caving." I understand that Rush fell into that trap, but then Rush has a tendency to fly off the handle without checking his premises if it falls within his "template" (i.e., "the Republicans are caving"). Of course, Rush has now stated that the FOX spin was "less than accurate" (i.e., WRONG!!!!), although he is very politic in not wanting to state that it was pure drivel from the get-go. Rush should have known (I certainly did!) that a failed cloture vote means nothing other than the issue continues. It certainly does not mean that the nomination is dead. REALLY! How can anyone be that ignorant?

I have been very pleasantly and favorably surprised by the finesse and political savvy with which Frist has handled this matter thus far. Thank GOD that he is in charge instead of Vacant Lott. If Lott were in charge, we would have nominated Bill Clinton to the post by now.

I also see the very telling hand of George Bush in all of this. He is such a political mastermind. Make no mistake -- this is all going according to plan, and a very good plan it is. Nobody plays hardball better than Geroge Bush.

I predict that Estrada will eventually get confirmed, but even if he does not the Dems will have paid such a price that it doesn't really matter in the broad scheme of things.

[RobFromGa]

thank you for your kind words.

[VRWC_minion]

It will not mean the end of his nomination.

Based on past actions of R's it certainly will. There will be no reason for the rats to be afraid of another cloture vote if the R's don't make them pay for it via a 24/7 and the R's will want to avoid future confrontation at all costs. The rats will have grown bolder and think they found a way to run the senate with 40 votes.

It would be a big mistake to table the nomination.

[LisaFab]

"The filibuster continues...but there seems to be a thaw"

My sound went out briefly...in what way?

As soon as Hatch announced that Morning Business would be allowed, Harry Reid imediately jumped up to slobber his thanks and respect to Hatch. He seemed relieved.

[PhilDragoo]

Out running bases and back to fax Bingaman:

Senator Bingaman
You claim you do not know enough about Miguel Estrada.
Yet you failed to ask any question of him after his offer of last Thursday to answer questions.
You appeared on the Senate floor today during the Estrada debate, yet you again failed to ask any question regarding Estrada, or to address the issue in any way.
You are aware that Estrada answered all questions posed in committee and that your hyporcisy is blatantly apparent.
You know Estrada to be overqualified, having received the ABA's highest rating after graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law and serving five years in Cllinton justice.
Your continued partisan obstruction of constitutional process is an affront to the 42% of New Mexicans of Hispanic descent.
Demonstrae some decency and confirm Miguel Estrada.

I faxed this summary of my call to his Santa Fe office (fax 505-992-8435) and his D.C. office (fax 202-224-2852).

[justshe]

I just rewound with my tivo type gizmo (about 10 times to get this).

Garrett said.....and I quote......" Republicans are looking for a vote Thursday to break the Democratic filibuster, knowing they'll lose. That's when Democrats will declare victory But Republicans will say the fight for Estrada will continue."

[Carolinamom]

Reed also said he wasn't sure if they (dems) could get there but he'd try to get them there. I want to see their bloodshot eyes there myself (w/my mute button on).

[GOPrincess]

Interesting -- thanks for info.

[Iwo Jima]

You ARE minding this thread, aren't you? Well, good for you, Sir.

[Sacajaweau]

I'm still laughing about Hillary trying to submit a Bill and Hatch telling her to blow it out her ear.

[Cboldt]

Calling for the vote (on Estrada) is not the same as requesting and obtaining a vote on a cloture motion.

Frist has called for the vote several times, and each time, a DEM Senator has objected.

A motion for a cloture vote has to be filed in advance of the cloture vote, nominally 48 hours before the cloture vote.

At this point, I am indifferent on the need or value to a motion for a cloture vote, and have the feeling the GOP is playing this very well. As you might guess, I am not in the "24/7 now or never" cheering section.

[EllaMinnow]

Thanks! That helps!

[PhilDragoo]

I left a message of support on Frist's machine (202-224-3344) and a message of support with a Hatch staffer still at the phones twenty minutes ago (202-224-5251).

Providing continuity for those of us who have to go out that door will be rewarded in heaven when you get to kick Hitlery off the cloud.

Thank you to you and all who've maintained clarity of narration today and every day.

CNN, Fox, Drudge, Rush are okay--but FReepers do it 24/7.

No one else can be taken seriesly.

[LisaFab]

They're starting to look frayed, that's for sure. As I've said before, I don't favor a cloture vote because it would lend an air of legitimacy to the 60+ vote to confirm scheme.

That being said however, I think Frist, Hatch & the WH have jabbed away at the Dems flabby midsection to the point that they look woozy to me - then, if necessary - they will deliver multiple roundhouse rights in the form of cloture votes to get them ON RECORD voting against a minority judicial candidate.

We can't lose folks. President Bush finally seems to have support on the Hill this time.