WP: GOP May Target Use of Filibuster

[Pirate Smile]

GOP May Target Use of Filibuster
Senate Democrats Want To Retain the Right to Block Judicial Nominees

By Helen Dewar and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, December 13, 2004; Page A01

-snip-
So far, at least, Democrats are refusing to forgo filibusters and say they will fight any effort by Frist to act unilaterally to end them for judicial nominations. They warn that it could poison the well for bipartisan cooperation on other issues in the upcoming Congress.

"If they, for whatever reason, decide to do this, it's not only wrong, they will rue the day they did it, because we will do whatever we can do to strike back," incoming Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) said last week. "I know procedures around here. And I know that there will still be Senate business conducted. But I will, for lack of a better word, screw things up."

-snip-
Several administration officials said Bush signaled this strategy last month when he nominated White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales to be attorney general, taking him out of the running for an immediate appointment to the high court. Gonzales would be more likely to be viewed as a centrist pick than some of the other lawyers under consideration. Administration officials said that although Gonzales is likely to be considered for a future seat, the first choice will be someone whom conservatives will embrace immediately.

Scholars agree that a bitter showdown could shatter the fragile comity that is essential for action in the Senate and set a precedent for further erosion of minority party rights in the chamber. "I think we're headed into uncharted waters in terms of the scope of the filibuster and the retaliatory moves that are being contemplated," said Sheldon Goldman of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an expert on the judicial nomination process.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59877-2004Dec12.html

Things could get interesting really quickly in the Senate.

I happy to hear Reid's "screw things up" comment.

It also sounds like BushCo. wants to go with a wingnut right out of the starting gates.

[Technowitch]

1. It's the GOP's "Fascism or Bust!" strategy!

...because if they push this shit through, and they EVER lost control of the legislature, they'll never see power again.

[Higans]

12. The Supreme court is deciding every election.

Around the world. They have trapped the Votes. Indeed the Voice of every human inside a Computer.

Vapor votes are not even counted. Always Vote on paper ballots and demand transparent elections. As in Voter Verified Paper Trails.

Real nonpartisan auditing. And the final decision needs to be made by a jury of our peers. That would be US right? US the people...... The Humans of the Earth. Do we Finally get to make this planet a better place or what?

[BattyDem]

2. Yes, let's eliminate all elements of Democracy ...

they just get in the way of things. :eyes: :grr:

[Pirate Smile]

3. Yes, because if there is one big problem in the government right

now, it is that there are TOO MANY CHECKS AND BALANCES restricting the Rethugs. Let's just get ride of them all.

[genius]

4. The Dems are the one with the nuclear option to stop ALL bills

The only way a bill gets to the floor is by agreement by all. Each of our Senators has always had the ability to stop the Republican bills. They have chosen to let them go to the floor. On the floor is where the filibuster option kicks in. Don't let the Democrats play victims. The Democrats in the Senate are happy with the way things are going. They get to pretend they are on our side when they are really not.

[sonicx]

5. how do any bills get on the floor then?

if that's true, getting everyone to agree to let most bills on the floor seems impossible.

[napi21]

6. Are you sure about that? That's not the way I understand it.

I don't think a minority can stop a bill from leaving committee. It's the chairman's decision I think. Because of the Pub leadership, it's their decision on wether to send a bill to the floor, and Hastert or Frist decision to bring it to a vote or not.

[goobergunch]

10. Wrong.

Democrats have filibustered motions to proceed to considerations of bills in the last Congress.

The most recent example of this was vote 155 of 2004.

[Khephra]

7. What assholes

Democrats have only rejected 4% of the nominations. 4%!!! 96% isn't good enough for the Right. They have to have every little thing they want.

Fascist fucks.

[VivaKerry]

8. And the dems will say....

Okay... well, gee, golly, gee whiz.... they changed the rules, people. Wish we could do something about it...but golly gee.

I am sorry, I am SICK to death of this f'ing dem party 'leadership'.

We should physically REMOVE those dem turncoats from office.........NOW!

[Strawman]

11. Or they'll say what Reid actually said...

"If they, for whatever reason, decide to do this, it's not only wrong, they will rue the day they did it, because we will do whatever we can do to strike back," incoming Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) said last week. "I know procedures around here. And I know that there will still be Senate business conducted. But I will, for lack of a better word, screw things up."

Christ, give the guy a chance. That statement works for me.

[Dr Fate]

14. DEMS "say" lots of things. How else will they get donations?

I agree with the other guy.

Reid wont do jack shit. You watch- as soon as the GOP/media get there talking points rolling, the DEMS will cave, just like always.

[Placebo]

9. More 'VICTIM COMPLEX' from Republicans

They control everything and they still act like the big bad evil liberal world is tryin' to keep them down. Compare the number of judicial nominees Democrats have blocked under Bush with the number Republicans blocked under Clinton.

[Dr Fate]

13. Glad to hear Reid talk the talk. I'll believe it when I see it.

I predict DEMS will cave-

Once Judy Woodruff & the other whores in clown make-up start calling them "obstructionists"- they will be too scared to go on TV with a rebuttal and tell the truth about Republicans.

They will cave. Anyone care to place a friendly bet?