That’s Not An Arsenal — This Is An Arsenal
The L.A. Times has an article today titled Filibuster Option Is in the Democrats’ Arsenal.
Interesting headline.
The story notes:
Among Republicans in the Gang of 14, most generally expressed support for Alito. At least two — Mike DeWine of Ohio and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina — said they had seen no extraordinary circumstances in Alito’s record that would allow them to support a filibuster.
But the paper fails to explain the significance of this. With two votes from the Gang of 14, absent any Republican defections or other surprises, the Republicans have the votes to defeat a filibuster.
So, while the filibuster is in the Democrat arsenal, the antidote is in the Republicans’ arsenal. It’s like saying that the Democrats are armed with automatic weapons — but forgetting to mention that the Republicans have stolen all of their bullets.
Oh well. I say: let the editors have their little dream. We’re standing next to them with a bucket of ice water, watching the smile play across their faces as they dream of a successful filibuster. When they jolt awake, it will be to their worst nightmare: Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito, a judge who refuses to bend the law to their whims.
Dream away, L.A. Times editors. Dream away.
Hey, I couldn’t find your contact info, but I thought you might be interested in This Video from Hannity and Colmes with Fmr. Mayor of Jersey City Bret Schundler discussing Judge Alito’s ruling on the former’s case against the ACLU. The ACLU and Schundler went to court over the display of Christmas related items.
Jay (b5a036) — 11/1/2005 @ 7:35 pmThere will be no filibuster and the first cloture vote will succeed with votes to spare. Much sound and fury…
Now, when Justice Stevens departs…
Kevin Murphy (6a7945) — 11/1/2005 @ 11:21 pmThey aren’t going to filibuster Alito. There are numerous reasons, but with DeWine and Graham coming out in favor of busting any filibuster that option is dead, even assuming it was ever really alive.
The media sure is loving it though. Even our local TV news stations are breathlessly reporting the possibility.
Dwilkers (a1687a) — 11/2/2005 @ 4:32 am“So, while the filibuster is in the Democrat arsenal, the antidote is in the Republicans’ arsenal. ”
Maybe the distinction is in what is allowed by the rules. Filibustering is allowed. Changing the filibuster rule requires 2/3 vote, per the rules.
For 50 votes to break the filibuster, the GOP would have to break the rules. So maybe its not part of what some people consider the arsenal.
actus (ebc508) — 11/2/2005 @ 6:33 amactus, I believe you meant “change” the rules. As I understand the Senate, any rules not explicitly stated in the constitution are whatever a majority of the Senators say they are (of course I could be wrong). Sort of like a view of the “living constitution” of which I’m especially fond – the constitution says whatever the judges say it says.
Harry Arthur (40c0a6) — 11/2/2005 @ 6:48 amThe difference is that the use of the f-buster is a contained event–it will stop a specific nominee.
The nuclear option will change the way everything happens in the Senate. The blowback could include the 86’ing of what survives of Bush’s domestic agenda.
Geek, Esq. (5dd2be) — 11/2/2005 @ 8:50 am“As I understand the Senate, any rules not explicitly stated in the constitution are whatever a majority of the Senators say they are (of course I could be wrong).”
A rules change requires 2/3, per the rules. My quick perusal didn’t see the consitution setting any standards on how the senate should make its rules.
actus (ebc508) — 11/2/2005 @ 9:20 amThe scare stories about Alito, as long as they are regularly countered, only deepen the rift amongst the Dems between the hardcore Left who want the fb used, and the rest of the Dems who see no point in turning a loss into a rout.
The Dems cannot win if they lose their moonbats to a 3rd party, and they know it. And if the D’s won’t even try, beyond pro-forma soundbites, to stop Alito, the moonbats may well “move on.”
More scare stories, please!
ras (f9de13) — 11/2/2005 @ 11:42 amras,
Think about what you wrote.
What the hell has happened to this country?! If that’s true, then can we conclude that a once anti-Communist, pro-freedom, idealistic, and yes, liberal, party has abandoned its heritage? Are the days long gone when the biggest difference between Democrats and Republicans was the scope of what government should do (as if that’s not big enough)? With the corrupting moonbat influence, is it too much to ask of the Democrat party that they merely remain pro-American?
TNugent (6128b4) — 11/2/2005 @ 12:55 pmHehe im a westham fan.. 🙂
udlejning autocamper (543c89) — 6/16/2008 @ 11:07 pm