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 everyone’s 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.
Story Continues Below
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 Alito’s conservative credentials would ignite rumors of a Democratic filibuster.
"It’s going to mean,” McCain elaborated, "that the Gang of 14 will meet sometime in the next couple of days and we’ll try and see what everyone’s 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.
Well, he sure seems to have lost his way of late, that's for sure.
I say blow it.. FIRE IN THE HOLE...
I'm with you on that.
Just a thought.....McCain will use the "gang of 14" as his trump card to the '08 nomination. By having the "gang" prevent a filibuster, and obtaining an up or down vote for Alito, McCain will endear himself to the hearts of conservatives.
perhaps. but also consider that McCain is out of favor with the conservative base, he could use this Alito thing to pivot on if he leads to stop the fillibuster. I guarantee that you will see alot of people here on FR with "new found respect" for McCain if he votes to break the fillibuster, and brings a couple of other Rs in the gang with him. its a way to make lemonade out of lemons for him.
Graham's always been like that. He got a lot of conservative adulation for being an impeachment manager, but he's always been .... McCainish, we'll say.
beat me by one post!
you are correct.
McCain will run with Hillary ...... McCain Hillary .. one term for him and two terms for her.
Actually I don't have a big problem with the gang of 14 as of yet. I guess I not too thrilled of the use of a filibuster for any old reason by either side. If they hold together on this then Alito gets confirmed. PEriod. It seemed to perform its function during the Roberts nomination.
If Frist has the stones, he needs to go to each "gang" member and let them know that whatever committee they are on is gone from this moment forward. They will be put on the lowest committee possible until they realize that they are Republicans and not feudal lords. They should also find out that any and all pork projects for their people will be cut for "deficit reduction" until further notice.
It's time to play hardball. It's time for Frist to drop a mini nuke and maybe that will let the democrats know that he is willing and able to drop the mother nuke.
Byrd seems to be the odd man in this group. As one of the "High Priests" of the democrats, he is not anywhere near a centrist from either party. It looks like he is the most partisan of anyone in this "gang". Its like having Larry Craig-Idaho, as member of the Black Caucus...and them actually accepting him.
I can appreciate that. Some may find new respect for him. I don't think I could overlook the way he has acted over the last five for six years. He is not a national leader. I see him as a major embarassment.
Well, we'll see.
LOL, yes I guess there's truth in that.
Why don't you wait and see what goes on, first? If this group of Senators ends up killing off a filibuster and Alito is confirmed, what's the problem?
Of course the far left will be pissed off at the Democratic members of the Gang of 14, but the left will be pissed off no matter what since Alito is extremely likely to be confirmed. Agreement by the Gang of 14 to eschew a filibuster will clinch Alito's confirmation, and take all the wind out of the Democrats' sails.
After that it will just be a matter of going through the motions. Alito will ultimately receive about 65 Yes votes.
I'll say it again. 14 is a cover-up, Gang of 7 is the reality. These 7 are a 'gang', they have rebelled against their party and have an independent, mischievous agenda leading to build their own power.
These 7 are negotiating with Democratic bank-rollers, through the senate Democrats, with these 7 being helpless surrogates.
Acting president McCain and Lindsey, IMO have bit off more than they can chew. Lindsey can recover, but McCain is toast.
Actually, Byrd often endordes conservative judicial nominees. I'll bet he's going to vote for Alito.
Unlikely, for two reasons.
FIrst, Frist doesn't have the stones.
Second, the seven (R) members of the Gang makes up one-eighth of all (R) senators - too many for him to pull a power play of that sort.
Not to mention Chucky from the demoncrat party.
I suspect the "gang" is just cover for certain "Republicans" to vote with the Democrats.
So, then, you'd be fine with Alberto Gonzales, or any of the judges of the Ninth Circus? After all, they were all confirmed before.
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.”Gee... these guys just grab at a straw and they think they make some hay!!! SIGH
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.