Democrats: Conservavtive Ideology Constitutes "Extraordinary Circumstances"

The Washington Post ^ | 7/6/05 | Peter Baker and Charles Babington

[krazyrep]

Are a Nominee's Views Fair Game?
As High Court Battle Nears, Parties Parse the Senate Filibuster Deal

But several Senate Democrats who co-authored that deal countered that ideology is a legitimate line of inquiry and potentially a reason to block a nomination. "In my mind, extraordinary circumstances would include not only extraordinary personal behavior but also extraordinary ideological positions," said Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), a moderate the White House has been hoping to enlist to give bipartisan backing to the nominee.

[krazyrep]

Proof positive that the "Gang of Fourteen" filibuster deal is worthless. Time for the seven RINOs to get in line or be booted from office.

Thank you John McCain. You've torpedoed any decent nominee the President puts forward.

[RockinRight]

Why does McCain keep getting re-elected?

[Steve_Seattle]

"extraordinary ideological positions"

Fair enough, and that's exactly where the DEMOCRATS are vulnerable on judicial nominations. I sincerely believe that the originalist view is the one most consistent with the average American's view of how the law should work. It corresponds to the instructions given to every potential juror, i.e., base your decision on what the law says, not on what you think it should say.

[longtermmemmory]

the cowardly cabal of seven are exposed as SUCKERS.

any wonder since trent lott brokered the whole deal?

[krazyrep]

Because people in Arizona keep voting for him.

I'm not being facetious here. If the Republicans in Arizona wouldn't keep re-electing the guy, we wouldn't have this problem. Same goes for the other RINOs like Specter and Snowe.

[Steve_Seattle]

If the Dems want to get into a debate about what constitues an "extremist" point of view, I say, "Bring em on."

[joebuck]

"Proof positive that the "Gang of Fourteen" filibuster deal is worthless."

I don't see how it was worthless. It got us the appellate justices we wanted and we still have the constitutional option to use against Supreme Court filibusters. In fact the "deal" gave the Pubs political cover for using the constitutional option. Now we can say we tried to work things out but the Dems broke the deal. If Biden really goes after the nominee on gay marriage it plays right into our hands. "We tried to be reasonable, but the Dems are saying that it is an extraordinary circumstance if a Justice does not agree with gay marriage. We have no choice but to alter the fillibuster rules." Since about 75% of the American public passionately opposes gay marrigae this argument will resonate. So, we get all the Justices we want with little, if any, political fallout. Sounds good to me.

[ken5050]

Bingo....GRaham and DeWine have already said publicly that ideology is NOT an EC..and they would support the nuke option if the Dems use it...Warner needs to speak out ASAP..say the same thing..

[Founding Father]

Why does McCain keep getting re-elected?

Three words: campaign finance laws.

When you let incumbents write the rules (remembering that all they really care about is re-election), you should expect that only incumbents will benefit from them.

[krazyrep]

Fair enough, and that's exactly where the DEMOCRATS are vulnerable on judicial nominations.

You're assuming Republican Senatorial leadership has a backbone. I, for one, don't.

[ken5050]

Concur..all the GOP in the Gang of 14 will support the cloture vote..but if Landreau, Salazar, Nelson, don't, they are toast..

[Dane]

To the commie dems a nominee having a hang nail is "extrordinary circumstances".

[skinkinthegrass]

Why does McCain keep getting re-elected?

Easy, Its the "Gimme-the-chek" looters and DUH! Voters...and look who opposes (half-wits/'Rats) him in the elections. :P

[ken5050]

FYI

[BaBaStooey]

Apparently, "extraordinary" is now a point of view.

Of course, lefties who think their views are "middle of the road" in this country will see just about anyone to the right of them (especially anyone to the right of liberal Republicans) as "extraordinary."

Way to make an agreement based on subjectivity. We should have went "nuclear" the instant Bolton was filibustered. If the Dems filibuster the Supreme Court nominee, it is time to "go nuclear."

Anyone that the Dems won't filibuster (Gonzalez?) isn't good enough for me, by the way. I want someone that will have them upset. Upset that a new majority of the Supreme Court will be returned to doing what they are supposed to be doing, interpreting the law.

[Eva]

Ask John McCain what constitutes extraordinary circumstances in his mind. McCain has always claimed to be prolife and has, in fact, always voted that way, but has recently strayed from conservatism on all other social, economic and political issues. Let's force McCain to explain his ideology. Lindsay Grahm, too.

I have been mentioning that Graham was accused by the left of being "light in the loafers," during the impeachment. Most Republicans took this as just another partisan smear, but I wonder if the Democrats have some information from Graham's FBI file that they are using to push him in a leftward direction.

[Luke21]

Because true Republicans have to vote Libertarian when he runs. The Dems don't field or fund a legitimate candidate because they love McCain. I've voted Libertarian in protest the last two times.

[1Old Pro]

Proof positive that the "Gang of Fourteen" filibuster deal is worthless. Time for the seven RINOs to get in line or be booted from office. Thank you John McCain. You've torpedoed any decent nominee the President puts forward.

McLAME is an idiot. He's the type of guy who would get a deal with Saddam Hussein not to murder any more Iraqi's and actually believe Saddam would abide by it.

[trebb]

In other words, any nominee that is closest to the actual will of the People, as indicated by who they elected to Congress, the senate and the Presidency is an extremist and cannot be tolerated. Why don't the Dims just come out and say that they wish to subvert the will of the People?

[Semi Civil Servant]

"In my mind, extraordinary circumstances would include not only extraordinary personal behavior but also extraordinary ideological positions judges who make their rulings based on the Constitution" said Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.)