7 Republicans abandon GOP on filibuster

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, May 24, 2005 | By Charles Hurt

[JohnHuang2]

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Seven Senate Republicans bolted from their leaders last night and dropped their support for the "nuclear option" in exchange for seven Democrats' abandoning filibusters against three of President Bush's judicial nominees. "This is really good news for every American tonight," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, said moments after the deal was announced last night on live television. "This is a significant victory." The seven Republican signers were Sens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, John McCain of Arizona, John W. Warner of Virginia and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine. Click to Visit The seven Democratic signers were Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana, Ken Salazar of Colorado and Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii. The deal didn't satisfy Majority Leader Bill Frist, who has maintained that the Constitution requires up-or-down votes on all judicial nominees. "The agreement announced tonight falls short of that principle," the Tennessee Republican said on the Senate floor. "It falls short. It has some good news, and it has some disappointing news."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cool off.

[A CA Guy]

There would be 7 Republicans that should be worked against by their party for removal next election.

[Qwinn]

You're both being absurd.

Yeah, so there's 7 RINO's... and 48 Senators we can count on. But you want to ditch the 48 because the 7 have sucked. Brilliant.

2 more solid seats in 2006, and we don't even have to worry about RINO's anymore.

When we're -that- close, you want to bail.

I gave you both more credit than that.

Qwinn

[goldstategop]

You want us to support them when they didn't support us? Heck, hell no! We're going to vigorously support their challengers in party primaries and barring that, we'll sit on our hands in November and watch them lose to Democrats. When you double-cross your own party, expect to pay a price. They can celebrate their "deal" while it lasts.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Qwinn]

If you want to go all out opposing the RINO's responsible tonight, particularly the ones in red states, be my guest. Hell, I'm with you 100% in that regard.

It's the "Screw the whole Republican party" rants that I find absurd. And those seem to be the majority around here tonight.

Qwinn

[Randy Papadoo]

Well, I am disappointed, somewhat, but think what would have happened if Frist pushed the rule change vote and lost! 2000 term all over again.

I'm going to wait and see (anybody have any other choice?) how things go before I decide to get really upset.

And the Dems can start abusing the system again, and we'll be right back at the anti-fil vote.

In one sense, Harry Reid has eaten it again, since the first three appointees were those he said would never get past Dem opposition, same as last term. 8-) *big grin*

The fight's still on, just delayed a little, and we got some good concessions with these judges getting to a vote.

Lindsay Graham was one of my favorites (back in Clinton impeachment times). I wish he hadn't been a part of the "soft" group. Warner is a sage old man, and I like him too, so maybe the group isn't too much wrong.

I was worried about Specter. Remember that he made a promise he wouldn't participate in blocking Repub judicial appointees in return for maintaining his chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee. I had been concerned that he might decide that voting with the Dems on the filibuster issue was not part of that deal.

I wanted complete control for the Repubs. Full speed ahead! Not yet, folks, not YET! ;-)

[goldstategop]

I'm not saying screw the entire party. Its not too much to ask the RINOs to stand behind something conservatives want. They're the ones who ask us to understand when they need to go "off the reservation" on some votes and we put up with it because we understand their political problems. But they don't seem to understand they owe loyalty to their party on a matter of principle. If they can't support it, they should become Democrats. Its at least being fair to the rest of us who've worked hard for Republican Party candidates to advance the conservative agenda.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Randy Papadoo]

Ooh! It's actually six judges. Broke my face smiling!

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

WIN BACK A CONSERVATIVE
REPUBLICAN SENATE IN 2006!

[Bullish]

Believe me they got their payoffs form the demons of the dem party. They must make their puppet master leader, George Soros just swell with pride.

[Bullish]

These Rinos' have sold their souls!

Thanks for posting their filthy mug shots.

[jamaksin]

Senator Frist ... resign NOW!

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

My e-mail to Jawhn Wahner:

I am FURIOUS that you and 6 other so-called Republican senators have crossed over to support this so-called "compromise" on the Judicial nominees!!! I have supported you in the past with my money and my vote, but no longer. I will be actively working against you in any future elections. I am starting to believe that the Republican party no longer wants my conservative vote.

I have been a rock-ribbed Republican since 1980, but I feel like I don't have a home there anymore. Just damn!

[Caipirabob]

We have a reason and a right to be Po'd. Come on, we're all pretty frustrated over this. Let's not start after each other though. I just witnessed another thread where age-old FReepers were tearing at each other. No, we can't all "just get along", but we need to remain clear that we are on the same side.

EXCEPT FOR THE STINKING RINOS!!!

There, I feel better now...

[Rocket1968]

The talk in my circles (Maine) is that Snowe will NOT be re-elected. Most Republicans will support a primary bid against her, or just not vote for her. We might as well have a dim in the Senate.

[mo]

Now tell me Ms. Hillary STILL is putting those FBI files to GOOD use!!!!!!!!!!

[YOUGOTIT]

These people are not Republicans. No money from donations to the party should be given to these turncoats who have gone to the dark side. As you will notice the only people who say this is great is the demo RATS.

[YOUGOTIT]

I will contribute. We should work in each state to defeat these democrats.

[the crow]

contact list bump.

even when we win, we lose. I am so POd I can't see straight.

[Preachin']

"WIN BACK A CONSERVATIVEREPUBLICAN SENATE IN 2006!"

What a pipe dream.

Most evangelicals will stay home in 2006 because of this. The democrats will gain the majority.

This really what the McCain seven want. Most of them are pro-choice and will sacrifice the majority if it means gaining ideological control of the GOP.

Bet on it.