Posted on 06/20/2005 8:27:07 PM PDT by nypokerface
I think that Graham and DeWine walked into this scheme to trick the rats knowing full well that they were going to take a hit from conservatives who were slow to figure it all out. And they did take a beating. (Curiously, there are still some people who apparently don't get it yet, even after Owens, Brown, Pryor and others have been confirmed, and even after it has been explained that Frist STILL has his finger hovering over "the button" and he can push it any time he wants. But NOW, thanks to the "extraordinary circumstances" language of "the deal", the rats are utterly boxed in and the nervous "blue state" GOP Senators have the cover they need to vote nuclear if and when the time comes. It still boggles my mind that the Democrats walked right into the trap. I can hardly stop smiling!)
The Republicans needed a couple of ringers in the "gang of seven" in order for the scheme to work. (The scheme was needed in the first place either because Frist was not certain that he had the fifty votes OR he figured that doing the "deal" was simply a superior strategy, especially from a PR point of view (with "the deal", the liberal press couldn't accuse the Republicans of "running roughshod", being "bullies", doing "incalculable damage to Constitution", "destroying Senate tradition", etc., etc. This is the kind of stuff the "blue state" Republican Senators were nervous about. But not anymore - - they got some COVER now! See, if the rats filibuster virtually ANYBODY, then the Republicans can throw up their hands and claim that the Democrats went back on their word. "We are left no choice, in the face of broken promises by the Democrats, but to change the filibuster rules at this time.")
I happen to believe that "the deal" was a masterpiece of political ingenuity that could only have been dreamed up by the ghost of Lee Atwater over breakfast with Karl Rove. And it could not have happened without the willing participation of Graham and DeWine. (It IS baffling that Graham is blabbing before the work is done, though. At least DeWine knows enough to stay cool.)
Ummm .. one could say that :0)
Tony, ask Graham about this on the show today.
It seems like most have pretty well made up their minds about Graham on this thread. Still, Frist said after the compromise that he likely did not have the votes for repeal of the filibuster. Given that, it would seem that the Republicans were the big winners in this go around. We have had six straight confirmations since then, and are no worse off that before. Anytime Frist wants to try and get a vote on the constitutional option he can call for one, but this time the 7 Republicans are in a much tougher position to not vote with the majority if the Democrats renege on the agreement (which so far they have not).
Well, there are not enough that share your opinion in the district Mike's son lost.
Graham always has a pained and whiney look on his face....to boot....
Carolina..time to flush....him!
Welp, as a SC voter I can assure you, Graham will not get my vote in 2010. I wish we could recall him.
Ping
Looks like we backed a liar:(
Obviously Graham has been spending too much time with his nose up Kerry's butt!
"Both leadership teams were very well aware of what was going on," he said, referring to the Republican and Democratic leaders.
He added that "everyone knew what was going on" and that some lawmakers liked it and some didn't.
I bet Frist was one who was well aware, and didn't like what was going on.
But I am disappointed in Frist's "response" to the final failure of Bolton's first cloture vote. This is it, in totality:
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate return to legislative session.Frist could have at least prefaced the strictly business comment with, "I am as disapponted in the reconsideration as I was when the cloture motion failed to pass on May 26th."109th Congress Page S6802 - June 20, 2005
To be fair, Frist did, before the reconsideration of the vote on the cloture motion, urge that cloture be passed, and gave specific reasons as to why the DEM obstructionsists were in the wrong.
Morning..just read the thread..amazingly not ONE mention of McCain..
Lott was the one originally floating the compromise, and everyone knows it. He was an ineffective Maj Leader the first time, and he still has his racial baggage. I guess I'm for McConnell, but I wouldn't mind someone like Kyl in there as well.
While this whole thing was going on a few weeks back, I had thought that this "deal" could be a trick. Your post just put my thoughts into words. However, I still cannot believe it, because I don't think the Reps are that smart. I know the DemRats are that dumb, but cannot get myself to believing that some brilliant Repub thought this up. However, the ghost of Lee Atwater with Rove could explain it.
I am still watching Graham, I still don't trust the weasel, because of his association with McCain. If Ravenel challenges him in the primary, I will support and work for Ravenel. However, Graham is working with our other SC Senator, DeMint on a new SS lock box private account scheme that looks promising...we'll have to see.
We should keep an eye on the Fox people. They gave thousands more in campaign funds to Kerry rather than Bush in the '04 race. In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan: Trust but verify.
Graham is THROUGH. I guarantee that Ravenel will beat him in the primary.
"Historical Post" BUMP!
Thanks for this most important ping.
My hope is that I'm utterly, totally wrong and that the 'deal' apologists here are 100% right.
Given the history of the GOP Senators, I sincerely doubt it.
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