deal
by John at 5/23/2005 09:13:00 PM
I'm surprised, but they made a deal. 7 Democratic senators agreed to vote for cloture on Owen, Rogers Brown, and Pryor and 7 Republican senators will vote against ending judicial filibusters as the issue arises. This is the second best outcome for the Dems (and it is similar to the compromise Reid originally proposed a month ago, except the nominees have changed for the worse), and I think it is also the best outcome for the Republicans, although it is not the one they wanted. The problem is the filibuster issue hasn't gone away, and the Republicans can bring it back any time they decide that Democrats are abusing the rule. The good thing here is that moderate Republicans are flexing their muscles, and basically sticking it to their radical majority leader, possibly shotgunning his presidential ambitions. Reid, on the other hand, comes out pretty much unscathed. This is probably a decent outcome for everyone except Senator Frist (and Dobson...). Small blessings and all that.
Update:
Dobson (Focus on the Family) statement : "This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush’s nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed. Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist would never have served on the U. S. Supreme Court if this agreement had been in place during their confirmations. The unconstitutional filibuster survives in the arsenal of Senate liberals.
"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."
Bauer (American Values) statement : "This is a sad day for our nation. The desire of millions of Americans to restore balance to our federal courts has been thwarted behind closed doors by 14 senators. Only three of President Bush's appointees are guaranteed an up or down vote under this sell out.
"Under this agreement it is now more likely that radical social change will continue to be forced on the American people by liberal courts committed to same sex marriage, abortion on demand and hostility to religious expression. The Republicans who lent their names to this travesty have undercut their President as well as millions of their most loyal voters. Shame on them all."
Anything that makes these guys so mad can't be all bad!
Update 2: I'm a bit upset that Senate Judiciary Committee chair Specter didn't sign the compromise deal. Last year he almost lost his job to a religious-right-approved contender in the primary, so I can understand his reluctance to piss these guys off. I think he's not even running for re-election in 2010, so what does he have to lose? His job as committee chair, for one, and I guess he hopes that he can act to reign in the radical Republicans from that position. However, does it matter if you are a moderate at heart when you keep acting like a radical? That's one for the philosophers. Still, he's no hero.
Update:
Dobson (Focus on the Family) statement : "This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush’s nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed. Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist would never have served on the U. S. Supreme Court if this agreement had been in place during their confirmations. The unconstitutional filibuster survives in the arsenal of Senate liberals.
"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."
Bauer (American Values) statement : "This is a sad day for our nation. The desire of millions of Americans to restore balance to our federal courts has been thwarted behind closed doors by 14 senators. Only three of President Bush's appointees are guaranteed an up or down vote under this sell out.
"Under this agreement it is now more likely that radical social change will continue to be forced on the American people by liberal courts committed to same sex marriage, abortion on demand and hostility to religious expression. The Republicans who lent their names to this travesty have undercut their President as well as millions of their most loyal voters. Shame on them all."
Anything that makes these guys so mad can't be all bad!
Update 2: I'm a bit upset that Senate Judiciary Committee chair Specter didn't sign the compromise deal. Last year he almost lost his job to a religious-right-approved contender in the primary, so I can understand his reluctance to piss these guys off. I think he's not even running for re-election in 2010, so what does he have to lose? His job as committee chair, for one, and I guess he hopes that he can act to reign in the radical Republicans from that position. However, does it matter if you are a moderate at heart when you keep acting like a radical? That's one for the philosophers. Still, he's no hero.
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