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Posted by tgl on 2005-04-29 21:15:36 +0000

I'd like for the Dems to call Frist and the GOPs bluff: if filibusters of juidicial nominees are unconstitutional (or, if you prefer Frist's words, prejudiced against "people of faith") than let's get rid of all filibusters as a matter of Senatorial procedure.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-04-30 07:15:38 +0000

Let's not!!! While Frist's hypocracy is glaring, the majority does not and should not alays rule in the US congress. We cannot afford to take out the little man.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-02 12:27:47 +0000

[url=http://www.princeton.edu/~petehill/filibuster.html]Still going strong.[/url] And it cracked the conservative mainstream press [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/01/AR2005050100708.html]today with this.[/url] The web page is getting better too. Thoroughly impressive. I almost want to road trip. Let's go Tigers!!!

Posted by rladew on 2005-05-02 12:42:40 +0000

I'm siding w/ dawn on this, but I am concerned if the only tactic Dems will use is the filibuster, that it won't be taken as seriously. I think the filibuster needs to be there to protect a minority, but if there are no new suggestions or alternate plans of getting things done and all that is used is the filibuster technique over and over, I feel like a filibuster might mar a politician's ability to be taken seriously in future sessions / or debates on any other subject. So keep the filibuster, but use it as one tool in yr arsenal.. _______________________________

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-02 13:20:27 +0000

Exactly, it really hurts a Senator's ability to be taken seriously. Clinton nominated 51 Circuit Court judges; 35 were confirmed. Bush nominated 52; 35 were confirmed. So why is this even coming up? Frist wants to push his judges through. Bad politics.

Posted by Miriam on 2005-05-02 14:17:44 +0000

Seriously. I thought he was just ticked off about 7 guys who didn't make it through the first time. By the way, I remember when Frist was up for election initially; he was accused of vivisection on cats during his med school days. That was an interesting summer to be in Nashville ('95).

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-02 15:41:55 +0000

I don't think the filibuster should be removed. However, I don't think Frist has the Republican votes to repeal it. If the Democrats can somehow use this to continue the exposure of Frist et al. as being driven by the Radical Right, then, that'd be a Good Thing(tm). I think the judicial appointment scorecard is even more lopsided than 35/50 for Clinton and Bush. Bush has had only 10 appointments blocked, and of those, some have gone through as temprorary appointments.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-02 16:05:10 +0000

From Tim Russert's mouth [url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7698687/]yesterday on Meet the Press.[/url] (Almost at the End) I have no reason to doubt Russert, though Sen. Allen (R-Virginia) said "I have different numbers than that," implying worse percentage, not better.

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-02 16:19:43 +0000

Whatever the numbers are, Republicans shouldn't be whining. "Oh, boo hoo, we control the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch. We can't get anything done because of these rascally Democrats." Remember when liberals were pussies?

Posted by rladew on 2005-05-02 19:44:21 +0000

Regardless of Partisan leanings, if I was a senator I would hope to not have to sit in a room while someone reads a NYC phonebook to me for 2 weeks straight. In the instance of preserving democracy, it is a necessary evil, I spose, but as a human being it would make my butt sore, and most likely I wouldnt ever want to listen to siad person again. That said, I disagree w/ Frist and oppose getting rid of the filibuster _______________________________

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-02 20:31:18 +0000

Since most Senators aren't present during Senate precedings anyways, they probably don't have to sit through the filibusters. It's probably the ideal time to head over to Georgetown for a couple of brews and a couple of fillies.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-16 17:52:34 +0000

Am I missing something: Is it possible to filibuster the filibuster? Frist wants to destroy the filibuster on judicial nominations, but can't the Dems filibuster this vote? I haven't heard anything that supports this, but it seems possible right?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-16 21:49:07 +0000

The GOP puts out [url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/nuclear.talking.points.pdf]their instructions[/url] on how to behave and what to say, when Frist brings Rove's darling [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priscilla_Owen]Priscilla Owen[/url] up for confirmation. Joe Smith (R-State) "Yes, Master. I am incappable of thinking for myself."

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-18 16:26:40 +0000

...and a shoe drops. The GOP would have been well served to elevate a Senator with experience to the post of Majority Leader, instead of a partisan hack with presidential ambitions.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-18 18:00:13 +0000

Surprise, surprise -- Frist is a hypocritical weasel who lusts for power. Damn, I wish McCain was president...

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-18 18:08:59 +0000

To be fair: I lust for power.

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-20 04:49:58 +0000

It just gets curiouser and curiouser.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 19:39:02 +0000

... [url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050522/OPINION01/505220307]And curiouser![/url] You know, I would probably vote for McCain for Prez, but it looks like the GOP is going to stop him from getting the bid, as he is anti nuclear option (aka "cry-baby option").

Posted by rladew on 2005-05-23 20:58:26 +0000

here we go with the conspiracy theories... sounds a lot like all the "informal communiques" that were supposed to prove that canvassers were registering Republicans and throwing away Democratic registrations during the last election. _______________________________

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 21:19:02 +0000

All true too. Is there anything sadder than proven conspiracies? Not theory, just factual.

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-23 22:08:35 +0000

Is it a conspiracy if the letters are public and the signers not anonymous?

Posted by rladew on 2005-05-23 22:26:52 +0000

you guys can take this as you want... Im done dignifying it _______________________________

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 22:43:27 +0000

Yes. Everyone knows they have conspired and they have publically admitted to it, but there is no need for something to be covert to be a conspiracy. "They" being the letter signers: Steve Scheffler, director of the Christian Coalition of Iowa; Chuck Hurley, president of the Iowa Family Policy Center; Edward D. Failor Sr., president of Iowans for Tax Relief; Maxine K. Sieleman, host of KWKY radio's conservative "Update Today" program; Marlys Popma, a respected former executive director of the Iowa GOP; David M. Stanley, chairman of the Tax Education Foundation; and Kim Lehman, executive director of the Iowa Right to Life Committee

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 23:29:40 +0000

[url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=8579725&src=rss/ElectionCoverage]Bring in the beds![/url] Last chance for a compromise? Looking grim, but the Dems have McCain (AR), Hagel (NE), Collins (ME), Snowe (ME), and one would assume Jeffords (VT), although I'm 100% on that. The Senate needs 2 more to stop the cry baby option. Do we call Sununu (NH)? Lincoln Chafee(RI) Who still lives in NH or RI and wants to call their Senator?

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 23:36:24 +0000

[url=http://www.drudgereport.com/]DRUDGE SAYS DEAL STRUCK!!![/url]

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-23 23:38:40 +0000

CNN, ABC, NBC all say it's over!!! Moderates win!!!

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-05-24 01:04:31 +0000

[url=http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050524/D8A976JO1.html]McCain Wins. Frist Loses.[/url] Although it seems like William Pryor and Prescilla Owen will go thru. Talk about your activist judges...

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-26 04:13:03 +0000

Sour grapes or on the money? Kuttner has a point. McCain and Snowe for Owen. Way to go Chafee! I think Dems are incorrect to target Chafee at the next election cycle. If he represents R.I. well, and tends to buck the Republican line, then, what's the problem. ...OK, committee heads and parliamentarian stuff, right. I'll point out that for McCain to be labelled a "moderate" is more telling of the age we live in than McCain's beliefs in particular.

Posted by tgl on 2005-05-27 19:24:14 +0000

Here's an interesting bit on blue slips. Reminds one of the House ethics rule changes.