Support falters for the "nuclear option"

The Washington Times ^ | 3/23/05 | Charles Hurt

[Bubbatuck]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist does not have firm support among his caucus to employ the so-called "nuclear option" for dislodging the Democratic filibusters against President Bush's judicial nominees. Of the 55 Republicans in the chamber, at least six are undecided or adamantly opposed to the plan of using the rare parliamentary procedure to end the filibusters with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60 votes normally required. "I am very concerned about the overuse of the filibuster," said Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who said she remains undecided. "But I am also concerned that a rule change will further charge the partisan atmosphere to the point that we will not be able to conduct business."

[Bubbatuck]

More at link

[MJY1288]

If the Left ends up getting their wish by killing Terri Schiavo, wait and see what will happen!

They will pay a huge price for killing a woman who only needed food and water to survive.

[LibertarianInExile]

More RINO bs. They don't want to get called on the carpet by the public. They would prefer to raise the Specter (pun intended) of "no business getting done." Puh-leeze don't throw us in that briar patch, Br'er RINO! My life, liberty and property might be safe while the legislature is in session, for once!

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If the Republicans in the Seante wimp out for the umpteenth time on this matter, and roll over for the 'Rats yet again: that's it. Third party, for me.

If we can't even get decently conservative judges appointed while controlling both the White House and both chambers in Congress: then what's the bloody freaking POINT -- ?!?

[speed_addiction]

[ElectionTracker]

Check the names - they're no more Republicans than Jim Jeffords was.

[maxter]

"If we can't even get decently conservative judges appointed while controlling both the White House and both chambers in Congress: then what's the bloody freaking POINT -- ?!?

Exactly!

[ImpBill]

That's it for the wimpy Republicans. If they do fold on this issue, after years of voting for them after I decided to leave the party for the reason they wouldn't uphold the Constitution I will find myself enjoying my golden years sitting on the political sidelines.

We get what we deserve in this country and if the gang that now has the ability to return us to Constitutional law doesn't use their power we are lost. So why fret about it any longer.

Never thought I would consider dropping out but it is definitely strong in my possibilities now.

The GOP really does suck. Not as bad as the Democrats but not far off either.

[econ_grad]

Apparently a conservative judge in FL ruled against her. I hate it when the MSM keeps telling us she is on life-support. A feeding tube isn't life-support, it provides sustenance. Anyone deprived of food and water will die eventually.

[SteveMcKing]

We'll "Daschle" every one of them. RINOs too.

[MJY1288]

You've been long gone for years now....Good Riddance

[Citizen Soldier]

I haven't given them a red cent since the national party sat back and let the WA dems steal our governor election and I am so disgusted with their wimpiness now I may never donate to them again! BTW, hope you aren't worth more than $2m or your death tax in WA is gonna be steep! I hope the dems who were complicit in stealing the election will be affected by her proposed tax hikes!

[ElectionTracker]

Have you been reading the NYTimes or something, to consider these people Republicans? True Republicans are the minority party. It's Dims + Jeffordsish New England RINOs that are in the majority.

[econ_grad]

I hope you will stay in and vote third party - either LP or the Constitution Party.

[Seaplaner]

This is worse that just a bunch of weak-kneed Republicans going all wobbly in the face of--gasp--reporters.

Much worse.

This can effectively cede Senate power to the Dems for the hereafter.

If only all Senate Republicans had the same courage and conviction as Dubya, this would not be an issue.

.

[peyton randolph]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist does not have firm support

A. a spine

B. principles

C. any clue what will happen to the GOP if Republic Senators do not confirm Bush's judicial nominees

D. all of the above.

[thoughtomator]

Well, there's another option which is just as good, maybe even better.

Make the Democrats actually filibuster. Don't just take their word for it and give them an easy veto. Make them work at it, let them deal with the strains in their coalition from keeping it together.

Do the Republicans have the balls to do this?

Apparently not.

[ConservativeMind]

Look, the "nuclear option" isn't needed from what I understand. They just need to enforce their own current rules.

The "nuclear option" simply spells the judicial vote part in clear wording rather than the current wording that simply states filibusters are allowed for bills (implying not for judicial nominees).

And to top it off, no filibuster has been performed. The Democrats continue to "threaten" to filibuster should anyone be put forth!

Let's get real! Am I off on this?

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

If they don't even have the stones necessary to kill a filibuster: what in G-d's name makes you think they'd actually have a pair big enough to demand one...? :)

[MJY1288]

My Apologies, I confused you with Uncle Bill,

MJY <------ Will go to bed now :-(

Once again, My apologies!

Mike