Hatch group may go ‘nuclear’ on judges: Plan would limit use of Rule XXII in Dem filibusters

The Hill ^ | 5/7/03 | Alexander Bolton and Geoff Earle

[William McKinley]

And just as I post that rant... the strategy involved here hits me.

And Republicans on the Judiciary Committee expect Democrats soon to filibuster two more Bush nominees: Bill Pryor, nominated to the 11th Circuit Court, and Carolyn Kuhl, nominated to the 9th Circuit Court, said Margarita Tapia, spokeswoman for the panel.

However, what may be really at stake is the future makeup of the Supreme Court.

The Democrats keep adding to the filibustering. Two now, two more to come. Eventually, the case that something unprecedent is happening becomes overwhelming, to where there is political cover for doing something unprecedented in response. Something unprecedented that destroys the ability to filibuster judges, even when nominated for the Supreme Court.

This is about the Supreme Court, and the Republicans are letting the Democrats load the cannon that is pointing at their last line of defense.

[eFudd]

Republicans will not always be the majority. This would be a stupid mistake that would come back at some future time and leave teeth marks in their behind.

What they need to do is cancel that changes in the filibuster rule. Require the senators to stand up and talk to maintain a filibuster.

CSpan would provide endless material for the Republican Ads in the next election.

[jackbill]

Will we see this tomorrow, when Frist has scheduled cloture votes on Estrada and Owen, or will they perhaps wait until they have a few more nominees filibustered.

IOW, what did Hatch mean when he said "when the time is right"?

[sweetliberty]

"Now the party with 41 votes is the majprity and the party with 59 is the minority."

Then pray tell, why is it that no matter whether we're the minority party or the majority party, we're still the party getting screwed?

[FairOpinion]

"Exactly what working relationship is he talking about?"

--

This is the same kind of talk, as when AFTER 9-11, some people thought we shouldn't go after the terrorists, because that would make them hate us.

Just as the terrorists only understand force, so do the Democrats. (Not that I want to imply that they are terrorists, but they certainly are using terrorist tactics)

[FairOpinion]

I like this approach. Go, Hatch.

It's about time, that Republicans stop rolling over for Democrats.

[Patriotic Bostonian]

The RAT BASTARDS are being led by SENATOR HITLARY CLINTON. Frist has been a miserable failure as the leader and I hope he doesn't blow this one.

[Stultis]

If Republicans were able to force a change by jamming through a procedural ruling, “It would be a nuclear winter in the Senate,” said the aide. “This place would fall apart. It would be dire consequences if that happened, in my opinion.”

Not only that, more Europeans will hate us, N Korea will start selling nukes, the arab street will erupt, the King of Jordan will be deposed, and three thousand oil wells will burst into flame causing a global catastrophe and real nuclear winter, for starters.

[michigander]

Then pray tell, why is it that no matter whether we're the minority party or the majority party, we're still the party getting screwed?

Eunuchs.

[sweetliberty]

Maybe we should learn to quit bending over.

[The Wizard]

Working relationship, screw then, go for it...

[Grand Old Partisan]

The Republican will not always be in the White House, and if we roll over on this, we lose our ability to name the federal judges, including Supreme Court Justices.

[The Real Eddie01]

*yawn!* Wake me if this really happens.....zzzzzzzz....... copy that. the old empty threat to get the conservative base to stop being disgusted for a moment before they use the constitution for toilet paper just like campaign finance reform.

Eddie01

[The Real Eddie01]

The Republican's will roll. All is lost. Best to just admit that now.

Orin Hatch has no backbone.

Eddie01

[Grand Old Partisan]

I'm not so sure.

[William McKinley]

This really is an amazing article.

although the aide said it would be extraordinary to ignore the parliamentarian’s ruling.

Why don't reporters ever call these anonymous Democrat aides on the fact that what the Democrats are doing now with their multiple fillibusters is already an extraordinary thing, and that they should expect extraordinary (and escalated) responses?

[michigander]

Agreed.
However, this rule change should be limited to when the Senate's "Advice and Consent" is constitutionally required and only a simple majority vote is required to enact.

[skinkinthegrass]

I hope the GOP Senate leadership takes note...The House of Rep. is going forward w/ GWBs' plan...yes, I know there is only 52 Senators...it would be nice to see some backbone.