GOP Fails to Break Pickering Filibuster

Yahoo ^

[jsbankston]

Jeffords in voting with the Republicans?

[sasafras]

The dems are so hypocritical

"Pickering's opponents complain that he supported segregation as a young man in Mississippi"

But that doesn't stop them from supporting one of the biggest racists in the land aka Senator Byrd, former klukluxklan dragon master and of course Jessie Jackson the ultimate racist who hates everything white.

[Paulus Invictus]

The problem is, Pubbies do not really have the majority. They have at least two or possibly three New England Senators who will not cooperate and vote with the Party They are RINOs and usually go with the RAT flow. So please tell me how they can get a majority vote for the judicial caandidates. Also, please explain how the filibuster rules now in place can be used if only one RAT Senator has to be on the floor and all of the Pubbies are obliged to be present during said filibuster?

If the RATs ever get back in power in the Senate, will the defeated Pubbies mount the same kind of stall on voting for the RAT candidates? Takes cojones.

[MattGarrett]

I bet they could if they actually MADE the dems FILIBUSTER! But the GOP leadership doesn't have the cahones for that.

[jpl]

He's once again using a religious test as a qualification to hold a public office of the United States, which is unconstitional and, in my opinion, a criminal act.

[Kuksool]

***Democrats say the unwinnable Pickering vote could be timed for Mississippi GOP gubernatorial challenger Haley Barbour to use against Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove in the state's Nov. 4 election.***

Musgrove is quite conservative for a RAT. He is pro-life, pro-NRA, and anti-gay marriage. Musgrove's stands on social issues make him unacceptable to "Leaky" Leahy. The Senate RATS don't care if Musgrove loses next Tuesday. Heck, if Bush decided to appoint Musgrove as a federal judge, the RATS would filibuster him.

[bourbon]

I hope Barbour makes some sort ofstatement about this. This is yet another reason NO statewide office in MS should go to a Democrat.

[hgro]

This guy Frist is a joke. If this is the best we have in the Senate, God help us.

[bourbon]

The "big fight" is going to be a whole lot bigger thanks to the Senate Republicans' wishy-washy response to the Democratic filibuster.

There's blood in the water and the Dems can smell it.

The Republicans had better rally and gain some leverage before a vacancy appears on the Supreme Court, because they have next to none at this point.

[bourbon]

Bill Frist = Trent Lott Clone?

Bill Frist = one Double LOTTE' to go?

[sandydipper]

Somebody tell me why we need Senators - plez.

[zbigreddogz]

Far too many people are quick to judge, knowing nothing about what it's like to be in his shoes.

That said, Rodger Hegcock said yesterday while subing for Limbaugh that Frist was planning on brining all of the obstructed nominees up for a vote again, and, if none of them are confirmed...

going nuclear.

(I.E. changing the senate rules on Judicial nominees)

which frightns me, honestly. It's one of those "cat out of the bag" things, once it starts, it can't be stopped. And face it, at one time or another, there will be a dem Pres with a dem Senate. This might just come back to bite us.

Oh, and for those whining that this isn't a "real filibuster" just keep in mind that a "real filibuster" would require ALL 51 REPUBLICANS TO BE THERE 24/7, and only 1 Democrat. It's hardly a realistic option. Physically, eventually, they would fold. Has nothing to do with backbone. The dems could take turns all day long, and the Repubs would have to somehow have to have more physical stamina all at once then the dems would have to have for an hour a day in turn. Face it, this just isn't realistic.


While I'll support Frist if he goes nuclear, it's still not a good option. The best way to win this is at the ballot box. The closer we get to 60, the closer we will be to getting what we want. Barring something crazy, we will be at the very least 53-54 after '04. If we work harder, we might be able to get to 56-57. The real message should be, work harder to stop the dems.

[AMNZ]

PATHETIC! We need to find leadership that can get something done.

[zbigreddogz]

You clearly don't know what your talking about. Even Chaffee and Snowe have said they support Pickering, Estrada, Owens etc. Not to mention Zell, who is a conservative, I don't care what letter he has next to his name, and Breaux, who I believe has also said he supports them. Furthermore, when push comes to shove, there are at least 1-2 other dems that would be afraid not to vote for them, like possibly Blanch Lincon.

If the vote were held today, all of them would get 53+ votes, no problem.

[Zack Nguyen]

Frist and his cronies have no balls. When are they going to take charge and stop letting the Dems run roughshod over them? I thought the GOP was in charge in the Senate.

Ah, but then it couldn't be used as a campaign issue next year. If the Senate Republicans really wanted him confirmed, they could do it tomorrow. But they don't.

And I don't mean a classical filibuster, either. That would require 51 Republicans to be on hand, and only one Democrat.

The Senate Republicans could simply change the rules to require a simple majority in the instance of judicial nominees.

[Zack Nguyen]

I hope they do that.

[NonValueAdded]

<Mode= Rage, frustration><Leadership=Wuss>

What the HELL are we doing debating global warming in the Senate??? RATS, you want global warming to hit the floor, let's clear up some of these nominations, right here, right now. Pubs, come in tomorrow AM and drop a phone book off on each and every one of the 43 desks voting against cloture. Get it on, already!

Do you think a nay vote on a Bush nominee is going to matter a RATs arse to the RAT's contituency? Heck no. I just heard Santorum on Rush saying there will be a parade of cloture votes over the next two months. Whoopee do. I'll bet the RATs are scared to death, not. How many times have they voted against cloture? What is one more vote? Nothing!

Where the HELL is the GOP leadership?

(I'll leave my "tags" open for now)

[Question_Assumptions]

Also bear in mind that if the Republicans fight now, it will give the Democrats and issue that may energize their base. I suspect that they'd prefer that they have a low turn out in 2004.

[Saundra Duffy]

The only thing I hate more than liberal democrats: mealy-mouthed wishy-washy ball-less REPUBLICANS.

[Saundra Duffy]

But it's too late for Miguel Estrada.