What are we going to do about Baucus?

[donsu]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/20/21299/3834

A Baucus Betrayal

On a day that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) showed great leadership by announcing his opposition to John Roberts' confirmation to the SCOTUS, Max Baucus, Senator from Montana, demonstrated his wonderful backstabbing skills, undercutting his Leader by supporting Roberts:

Montana Senator Max Baucus announced today he will vote to confirm President Bush's pick for Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

"After reviewing Judge John Roberts' credentials and meeting with him privately, I have found that he meets my criteria for judges. And that is: only the brightest, most objective minds shall serve on the bench," said Baucus, who acknowledged the decision was not an easy one.

"I call 'em as I see them," he said. "Judge Roberts indicated to me personally that he has a healthy respect for precedent and the hard-won rights of Americans. My only yardstick or litmus test is whether or not Judge Roberts is right for Montana and America. I've determined that he is." . . . "Throughout my career, I've always tried to reach across party lines to do what's right," Baucus said. "This isn't about being a Democrat or Republican; it's about being a Montanan and American."

Well, I call em as I see them too. And I have found that Max Baucus meets my criteria for a gutless son of a bitch. Baucus demonstrates a healthy disrespect for his Leader in the Senate and for the values and principles that define the Democratic Party.
-snip-
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so Baucus, are you a faux democrat?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Do you think Leahy's a faux Democrat too?

And I'm not inclined to do ANYTHING about ANYONE based on a vote that is absolutely meaningless.

[Zodiak]

2. Here is a list of % progressiveness for Senator

Why don't you decide for yourself.

Harkin (Iowa) 95
Boxer (CA) 90
Lautenberg (NJ) 90
Akaka (Hawaii) 80
Corzine (NJ) 80
Dayton (MN) 80
Durbin (IL) 80
Feingold (WI) 80
Kennedy (MA) 80
Kerry (MA) 80 - DLC
Levin (MI) 80
Dodd (CN) 70 - DLC
Leahy (VT) 70
Mikulski (MD) 70
Reed (RI) 70
Sarbanes (MD) 70
Shumer (NY) 70
Wyden (OR) 70
Clinton (NY) 65 - DLC
Obama (IL) 65
Bayh (IN) 60 - DLC
Biden (DE) 60
Dorgan (ND) 60 - DLC
Stabenow (MI) 60 - DLC
Byrd (WV) 50
Inouye (Hawaii) 50
Murray (WA) 50
Reid (NV) 50
Rockefeller (WV) 50
Baucus (MN) 45 - DLC
Bingaman (NM) 40
Cantwell (WA) 40 - DLC
Johnson (SD) 40 - DLC
Kohl (WI) 40 - DLC
Conrad (ND) 35 - DLC
Feinstein (CA) 35
Carper (DE) 30 - DLC
Leiberman (CT) 30 - DLC
Landrieu (LA) 20 - DLC
Lincoln(ARK) 20 - DLC
Nelson (FL) 20 - DLC
Salazar (CO) 20 - DLC
Pryor (ARK) 15 - DLC
Nelson (NE) 0 - DLC

According to this, he is the 15th worst senator, and yes, he is DLC.

[TransitJohn]

3. Well, as I am from a neighboring state

it's my guess that he doesn't want a no vote used against him come reelection time.

[Zodiak]

4. That is such a great reason

To sell the American people down the river!!!!! Dems are sooo smart!!

We so gladly give up our rights, our future, so Bauchus can keep his job!!! We ar faithful Democrats!

Where can I sign up to give up more rights...we HAVE to keep the Dems in power because they soo love the American people!

:sarcasm:

I really frigging wish that every move these assholes made wasn't made just to ensure re-election. When the hell are they going to start applying principles?

[TransitJohn]

5. Hey man don't attack me

for my opinion. If you're pissed (like me) that the Democratic Party doesn't represent you, either a)work inside the party for reform (which I've almost completely given up on) or b) vote your conscience even though people tell you you're "throwing away your vote." Myself, I vote socialist in every election for all offices, I pick my battles locally. Sucks living where the goddamn GOP has a strangle hold on the electorate. Peace.

[Zodiak]

6. I apologize if you think I am attacking you

Trust me, I am not.....I am reacting to the entire concept of "appealing to swing voters" and "keeping one's job" versus fighting for the rights of his constituents. My reaction is to Baucus, who apparently thinks that left leaning people will vote for him no matter what he does.

Well, losing one's base is the best way I can think of to obtain electoral defeat. He deserves to lose his base, judging from his voting history.

I say we let these mealy-mouth Dems traingulate themselves out of a job. I am tired of having to support them and I am tired of their apologists demanding that we support them with no real reason to other than brand loyalty.

If I am "extreme", then fine, label me. But without any results whatsoever, nor a real fight from our representatives, how much can one person take before they give up supporting proven losers who continue to lose ON PURPOSE!!!!!!!

[Zodiak]

7. btw

any implied "you" in my diatribes are rhetorical "you's". I do not attack DUers unless I call them out by name, which I have yet to do.

[TransitJohn]

11. Thanks

Absolutely no problem, man....little testy politically lately. ;)
No more corporatists....progressive all the way, I'm with you.

[Mass]

8. There is no surprise in Baucus's vote.

The vote I am surprised is Leahy.

[snowbear]

9. CNN radio news just said several other Dems now considering a yes vote,,

That was CNN (radio) -- they do news on the hour during Eddie and AAR programming..

I'm trying to find the info on CNN's website because I didn't jot down the names they rambled off.. If I can't find the info, they'll probably repeat it again on the hour..

I'll try to pay attention next time.. :blush:

Face it though.. Roberts is the next Chief Justice. :banghead:

[Zodiak]

10. Couple of comments

First, CNN radio seems rather right wing to me. I get thm here in Columbus, and the contrast between AAR and CNN radio is garish. Not that they lie...they just ignore a lot of news that lefties would like to hear.

Next, I am sure that many DUers have faced the fact that Roberts is going to be rubber-stamped because it is the "politically correct" thing to do in light of the fact that there was NO attempt to counterspin the nomination. However, I am sure that many DUers reserve the right to be mad about it. None of us are gullible enough to think that Roberts is going to be any less than a right-wing cretinoid who will protect his Bushmaster till the last breath, but after 5 years of this same scenario played out over and over, I expect the Democratic senators to not be that gullible, either. But gullibility will be there defense, as it was on the Iraq war (a decision that has led to so much death).

This behavior by Democrats in unacceptable, and I, at least, will be taking names. I am so tired of this crap.

Mark my words, Roberts is going to be a monster, and the Democrats know it. The fact that Republicans lie to them gives them cover for acting like wussies, and they conservatively fall for it every single time to save their jobs. It is Stockholm syndrome in the worst way.