More word games from the Dems on the Hill...
How can we fool 'em today?
Liberalism is a mental illness.
As soon as the vote was tallied, Reid gets up and says "this is not the Democrats' fault" I almost fell off my chair. What an idiot!
That said, may I invoke the memory of Abe Fortas.
I bring up disHonest Abe Fortas, because I am certain it was that rational the (D)s employed to convince themselves that "We are not Filibustering Bolton". Abe Fortas was indeed formally Filibustered in 1968, despite recent claims to the contrary by (R)s.
disHonest Abe Fortas did not pass cloture, that officially made it a filibuster.
The only important difference between his fail and Bolton's is that Bolton had more than 50 votes.
I'm just pointing out that Reids quote: "We do not intend to filibuster Bolton" is similar to the leader of Fortas's filibuster "We did not intend to filibuster Fortas"
May Bolton be Recessed and Judicial Filibusters outlawed.
The "good feeling" of Senate comity has been nuked though...
It depends on the reason for hanging fire on taking the vote. If the reason is purely to prevent the body of the Senate from giving its "advice & consent," then blocking the vote is a filibuster.
If, on the other hand, the reason for wanting more debate is to help the Senator make up his mind, or if the Senator had something to say to the others, but was denied the opportunity to say so, then voting NAY on cloture is appropriate. Cloture is intended to permit all sides to be heard before taking the vote. It is emphatically NOT to avoid altogether, taking the vote.
It depends on what the meaning of 'is' is.
I think the term Procedural delay is appropriate. I think it's proper to deny cloture if more debate or information is needed so that senators can make a decision based on all possible evidence. However, I am not fooled by what the democrats are doing. They have received enough paperwork and background information. They are not entitled to everything in the executive departments just because they are the congress. This is obviously a delay because the last three delays have been about "more information". It will never end.
This should come as no surprise from the Stali - er, Commu - er, Socia - er, Libe - er, Progressives, yeah, thats what they are this week, Progressives.
Now, if some true leadership with intestinal fortitude stood up and agressively addressed the issue, the fecal waste would come within direct contact with the rotary oscillator and all this could be halted.