A New Move on Estrada ('Tain't over yet!)

National Review Online ^ | 2/28/2003 | Byron York

[ArcLight]

In perhaps its most forceful effort yet to break the stalemate over the appeals-court nomination of Miguel Estrada, the White House has now invited every member of the Senate who has doubts about Estrada's legal views to submit written questions to Estrada by the close of business Friday. In a letter delivered Thursday to all 100 senators, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales said Estrada will respond by next Tuesday.

[OldFriend]

Ads running in Vermont showing Leahy saying he is AGAINST ever using a filibuster in a confirmation hearing such as this.

Of course, his supporters don't mind a treasonous lying dog for a representative but perhaps the true americans in Vermont will step forward.

Wonder what Jeffords is thinking now?

[Howlin]

I asked you a point blank question.

Post ANY article where Frist states that he is going 24/7 and weekends on this filibuster.

[TLBSHOW]

Rush Just said it looks like republicans are folding'

oh here is one


Frist Rescinds Recess Threat, Will Allow Senate Full Week Off
By Paul Kane
Roll Call Staff
Thursday, Feb. 13; 02:08pm

Backing down from a threat he issued earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Thursday the chamber would have its full Presidents Day recess next week.

http://www.rollcall.com/pub/1_1/breakingnews/541-1.html

[hobbes1]

see 70.

The only way to Force media coverage is to force it to go 24/7. They can whenever they want. I am guessing if they have 58, or 59, then they will go that way if need be.

[Howlin]

Bump!

[Miss Marple]

Gee, we're running an ad in Vermont against Leahy? I guess that is money wasted along with all those ads on Spanish television, since Frist has decided to cave.

/sarcasm>

[hobbes1]

Rush does not get what is going on, he is taking it one event at a time, this Administration does not work that way.

[justshe]

I like your phrase:

"...despite all the wishful thinking of democrats and their enablers.

And yes, those of us who have watched the Senate over the last week have seen a resolve on the part of the Republicans I would not have expected.

[BJR]

I don't know why you are having so much trouble here.

I'll try a different tack. Novak is saying that the PUBS WILL GIVE UP AND THE DEMS WIN by forcing a withdrawal of the ESTRADA NOMINATION. That is what a "successful filibuster" does!!!!!

I hope Novak is wrong but he is obviously not trying to put one past the slimy dems.

[TLBSHOW]

The decision to recess the Senate without a vote contradicts what Frist said earlier this week. "We'll stay as late as they would like tonight and tomorrow night," Frist said Wednesday, according to the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. "My expectation is that by the end of this week, and before our recess, and possibly into our recess, we expect what all American people expect and deserve; an up-or-down vote on this outstanding candidate."

Democrats have said they will filibuster the vote on Estrada who, in their view, is reticent about his views and under-qualified. Democrats have said they have the votes necessary to block cloture, which normally ends debate in the Senate and leads to a floor vote on any given issue.

Frist said if "judges are going to be filibustered, not based on qualifications, but...partisan politics, it sets a bad precedent for this Congress and future Congresses.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/843930/posts

[Political Junkie Too]

Rush Just said it looks like republicans are folding'

Maybe Rush is behaving like a coach at halftime trying to rally the team for the second half. Maybe he's trying to shame them into keeping up the fight.

-PJ

[hobbes1]

Rush Just said it looks like republicans are folding'

That's because Rush read the FOX article, but not the York article....

[Howlin]

I think Mr. Novak is being used by the Dems, and is getting disinformation.

Gee, again?

[OldFriend]

I get real worried when anyone puts their faith in Bob Novak.

[hchutch]

Amen to that.

Too bad we have these Suslov conservatives who don't seem satisifed with anything less than 100%. They make the job harder.

[TLBSHOW]

He is trying to hold the republicans feet to fire, hard as it is.

[hobbes1]

This debate has changed in two weeks.....and not in te direction you are intimating...

[RandyRep]

My take on this is this:

1) A filibuster on a judicial nomination is a very bad precedent - so Bush and Frist are doing this as a last gasp before really calling for cloture. The call for more questions and offering peers for comment looks reasonable to most people.

2) If the filibuster works for the Dems, then every judicial nomination can be held to the 60 vote standard. Every president will have a hard time getting nominations through a Senate controlled by either party if there are enough partisans (and they are nearly all partisans, I think).

3) What is needed is a Senate rule that states that Senate advice and consent are not subject to cloture rules. Unfortunately, to add or change a Senate rule requires a 2/3 vote. With all the previous statements about not using a filibuster to delay votes, it would be hard for Leahy and others to vote no.

4) Unfortunately, this is not getting the attention it deserves because of the Iraq situation.

[kcvl]

I have called the Senators directly. I have also emailed them, faxed them and now I am contacting the RNC because I also want them to know what I think. I am not leaving any doubt about what I think of the Hillary Clinton Party of obstruction just to get her butt back in the White House again. NEVER!!! My nerves and stomach won't allow me to think of another Clinton EVER running this country again. NEVER!!!

[hobbes1]

2) If the filibuster works for the Dems, then every judicial nomination can be held to the 60 vote standard.

Which is why they do not intend to lose this fight.