Posted on 11/01/2005 12:17:12 PM PST by conservativecorner
Liberal and conservative activists have been spoiling for a fight over the Supreme Court for years. But now that the time for brawling has arrived, a group of centrist senators might take the wind out of everyones sails.
Yes, the "Gang of 14 is set to meet again.
A Senate staffer confirmed to Newsmax Monday night that the Gang would meet Thursday morning to discuss the nomination of Judge Samual Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court.
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The "Gang is composed of 14 members of the Senate; John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike DeWine (R-OH), John Warner (R-VA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Ken Salazar (D-CO).
The group first met in early summer when they agreed that judicial "nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances. Their agreement, however, left "extraordinary circumstances undefined to the discretion of each of the signatories.
Can Pheromones Fix Your Relationship? Drink Less Water! Men: Attract Women Now Start Your Day With a Cup of Motivation
The agreement went untested as a result of the overwhelming brilliance of Chief Justice John Roberts. This time around, Democrats appear likely to offer strong resistance, and perhaps even a filibuster. As a result, the Gang will likely decide the fate of Judge Alito and the future of the Supreme Court.
Appearing Monday on Imus in the Morning, Sen. McCain said he expected Alitos conservative credentials would ignite rumors of a Democratic filibuster.
"Its going to mean, McCain elaborated, "that the Gang of 14 will meet sometime in the next couple of days and well try and see what everyones temperature is. I would certainly like to avoid filibustering and blowing up the Senate.
Senator Warner also believes the Gang will play a vital role in the nomination. "There is a potential, he says, "for the Gang of 14 to perform a pivotal, if not decisive, role.
A few Republican members of the Gang have already made their stronger opinions known. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) appeared Sunday on CBS's Face the Nation. He warned Democrats that a filibuster against Judge Alito based on his conservatism would "not stand.
Jeff Sadoski, spokesman for Sen. DeWine, told Newsmax Monday night that DeWine, based on the present information available, does not believe the Alito nomination constitutes an "extraordinary circumstance.
If McCain pulls a power play here, I and a lot of other people are going to PO'd to the max.
Perhaps the "Gang of 14" members can swap recipes while they caucus?
I can't believe Lindsey Graham would participate in this.
Perhaps the Republican participants can hand over their resumes. If they screw this up, they should get a nice opportunity to use them.
Yeah, something happened to the senator after he left the House and entered the Senate.
Perhaps his shoes are too tight?
Then you don't know much about John Edwards' and John McCain's little buddy.
First:
" Can Pheromones Fix Your Relationship? Drink Less Water! Men: Attract Women Now Start Your Day With a Cup of Motivation"
Did Ted "the swimmer" interupt the article with a run by ad?
Second:
I am very weary over 14 Senators meeting to decide the fate of a nominee. That is the job for the Judiciary Committee and then the FULL senate. There is no way that this little cabal should have this kind of clout. Maybe the democrats like operating this way, but these so called Republicans should be stripped and whipped on the floor of the Senate (figuratively speaking that is).
I'm tired of the Gang of 14. They are nothing but fence-riders.
Next election will clear some of them out.
Lindsey Graham is one strange person.
This "gang of 14" crap needs to be brought to an abrubt halt. The Rino's on that "gang" need to stripped of every committee seat they have and informed they can sit on Republican committee seats when they are sure they want to be Republicans.
You are so right. I'd like to know the difference between a judge legislating from the bench and allowing 14 misrepresentatives to hijack the entire senate.
McCain cannot vote to sustain a fillibuster on Alito, and then run for president in 2008. He would be finished instantly.
He may not know it yet, but he already is.
LOL, that would account for it... heh heh heh...
"The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again!"
"Can Pheromones Fix Your Relationship? Drink Less Water! Men: Attract Women Now Start Your Day With a Cup of Motivation"
HAHAHAHAHA!
Yes, he has been going south for a while now. I'm not sure why.
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