GOP staffer: "Frist never had the votes he needed for the nuclear option"

[BurtWorm]

So why did Dems allow their tepid centrist colleagues to bamboozle them into letting extremists on the bench? :wtf:

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/klein/article/0,9565,1179318,00.html

...

A series of terrible leadership moves have ensued. There was Frist's effort to deploy the "nuclear option" — that is, to perform radical surgery on the Senate's filibuster rules in order to allow votes on President Bush's more extreme judicial appointments. But the nuclear option was thwarted when 14 Senate moderates cut a deal to keep the rules and allow votes on some of the appointees. "We saved him on that," said a G.O.P. staff member involved in the negotiations. "Frist never had the votes he needed for the nuclear option." More recently, Frist has embarrassed himself on the Dubai Ports deal. He was one of the first Republicans to oppose the deal--his opposition made it safe for the rest of the party to buck President Bush--but he immediately retreated after a White House briefing. "As I've gotten more information, I have a greater comfort level," he said. Translation: I shot my mouth off before I knew anything because I wanted to thrill the G.O.P. base.

[benburch]

1. Because we have elected spineless wimps.

We need to replace each and every one of them with a real progressive as soon as we can.

[Union Thug]

5. agreed... I've always thought that Dems should call their bluff..

Let them try the so-called nuclear option. Any opportunity to let the right wing put on exhibit their fascist roots is a good one.

[benburch]

9. They are afraid of looking bad and not winning re-election.

That is the only consideration for many of them.

[davidwparker]

10. hopefully, Joementum looses it in the primary so that the rest of

them get the message we're mad, and not going to take it anymore.

[BR_Parkway]

12. and if not a real progressive, a REAL conservative would be preferable

to the neo-cons that have hijacked that party.

Do you remember real conservatives? Fiscal responsibility, balanced budgets, no nation building..., less government intrusion.

Dear Gawd, we've become the conservatives now.

[AX10]

2. Because there is no such thing as a "centrist Republican".

They are all slaves of the right wing extremists. That's why we need to OUST every Republican possible from blue states. Olympia Snowe and Lincoln Chaffee are examples these so called "centerists" who appease the hard core right wingers. Both of them are up for re-election this Fall and need to be defeated.

[Canuckistanian]

3. Then Lieberman was worried for nothing, then?

Boy, is his face red, I'll bet.

[BurtWorm]

7. I hope he's worried now.

[madmunchie]

4. Frist a better poker player

[Judi Lynn]

6. Frist did his country a true disservice conducting that little charade.

Putting idiots on the Supreme Court hurts everyone in the end. Damn his nasty soul.

[monarch]

8. Beautiful part of this story is

that it makes us furious and makes their supporters smug about how "smart" they are...so I wonder if it's a plant because there is nothing in the CSM that I believe.

[Neil Lisst]

11. and that is why I said we had to push the issue and make them use

If filibuster is option that can't be used for fear it will trigger the nuclear option, then it's not much of tool in the lege.