WP: More Democrats Say They Will Oppose Alito: Filibuster Less Likely

[DeepModem Mom]

More Democrats Say They Will Oppose Alito
But Filibuster Less Likely, Strategists Note
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 20, 2006; Page A04


A procession of Democratic senators, including two who supported the confirmation of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., said yesterday that they will oppose the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court. They warned that he would not provide a judicial check against the expansion of presidential power or be properly vigilant about protecting the rights of ordinary Americans.

The mounting Democratic opposition underscored the sharp partisan divide that has developed over Alito's nomination, after Roberts was confirmed with 78 votes and solid bipartisan support. But although Democrats appear increasingly united in their opposition to Alito, they remain divided over whether to pursue a filibuster against the nomination.

A filibuster is increasingly less likely, Democratic strategists say, despite pressure from some liberal interest groups for Democrats to keep the option alive. But Democrats are more united in their desire to seek an extended floor debate over Alito -- even as they acknowledge that his confirmation is virtually assured -- because they believe polling shows that the more the American people learn about Alito's record and writings on civil liberties and other subjects, the more they will oppose his addition to the high court.

The newly announced opponents included Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.); Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee; Sen. Richard J. Durbin (Ill.), the Democratic whip; and Sen. Ken Salazar (Colo.). Leahy and Salazar had voted in favor of Roberts. On Wednesday, Sen. Max Baucus (Mont.), another Roberts backer, said he will oppose Alito....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/19/AR2006011902907.html

[Cocoa]

1. the whores protest too much

how could a filibuster be less likely than they've been saying all along?

[InsultComicDog]

20. The Post is now an organ of the GOP

And this is becoming more and more obvious.

[Straight Shooter]

2. They believe his record will convince Americans he should not be confirmed

and yet they stick with the tired line that his "confirmation is virtually assured."

:banghead:

[ninkasi]

11. Doesn't make sense to me, either...

The public will be convinced Alito shouldn't be confirmed, therefore we won't filibuster. I'm sorry, but I don't understand what this strategy...or lack of one...is supposed to portray. The only thing that comes to mind is that our Demos are complete masochists. If more people oppose Alito, shouldn't our senators be more willing to oppose him, including a filibuster? I don't understand them.

[ClassWarrior]

12. Yet the article doesn't attribute the "virtually assured" comment to...

...anyone specifically. Sounds to me like it's the Corporate Media Whores pushing that tired line.

NGU.

[kainah]

3. let's do some old-fashioned filibustering

Forget finding 41 votes for cloture, I want to see a procession of Dem senators do the old-fashioned, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, type filibuster. Hold the floor for at least 2 or 3 days and force the media to cover concerns about expanding executive power. After a few days, if the American people haven't begun to respond, then let the repugs vote him onto the court. But use the old-fashioned filibuster and educate people about the unitary executive and signing statements.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. I can't understand the reluctance to filibuster. nt

[Benhurst]

6. I agree. If they don't use the filibuster against Alito, they are never

going to use it.

Might as well use it one more time before the final nail is driven into the coffin of the Republic.

[Radio_Lady]

10. At the very least, all the Democrats should stand together AGAINST this

nominee. That's a small beginning. I really don't understand it.

[Dr Fate]

17. I think that would be better or as good as a formal one. n/t

n/t

[meow2u3]

18. And Sen. Byrd would be the man for the job

Either him, or Sen. Kennedy or Sen. Boxer.

[tritsofme]

21. That's no longer possible due to changes in Senate rules

in the 70s IIRC.

Now as long as notice is given a day or two in advance cloture can be invoked and the filibuster ended with 60 votes.

[bbinacan]

4. I'm so tired of this weak knee BS

forget the floor debate in anticipation of his confirmation to the Court. Get a fucking backbone and filibuster. Send a signal that the Pugs are not the only party around. Damnit!

[Radio_Lady]

8. Here's a list of Senators for DUers who may still want to participate!

DUers! Don't sit on your DUffs for this one! Make contact NOW!

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Choose some in your state and elsewhere to email or call TOMORROW!

I've called Bill Nelson (D-FL) and others today, even though we only own a timeshare in Florida.

Plan to call Harry Reid (D-NV) We have timeshare holdings there.

Ask the Democrats, "Why won't you filibuster?" Report your responses from their underlings! I have no idea!

PS. The young things who answer the telephone were largely kind and friendly. They may ask you your ZIP code. Call the Senators in states that you DON'T live in! Tell them you visit, or you've always wanted to live there, or you love their TV ads and always wanted to go there, or WHATEVER. Tell them you're a concerned Democrat and you want to voice your opinion, even though you don't live in their state.

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Laelth]

7. I don't buy the "filibuster less likely" analysis.

If a Democrat as conservative as Max Baucus has announced opposition to Alito, that's a clear sign that a filibuster is more likely. I think all the "we don't want to filibuster" rhetoric is just a way of reminding the 'pukes that the option is available to us, and asking them to remember that they won't control the Senate forever. If they go nuclear, they will regret it in the future.

-Laelth

[Mithras61]

9. "Filibuster Less Likely" than what?

Less likely than Shrub having flying ass monkeys? Less likely than Scalito being a lying sack of shit? Who knows... the article doesn't say...


:crazy:

[Dr Fate]

15. LOL!! Love it. n/t

n/t

[Binka]

23. No Shit "even as they acknowledge" Who The Fuck Is They?

WaPo is an arm of the state. Remember whores don't decide what's on the menu the master does. I personally if I was making book would put the chances of a filibuster at 7/2. As a betting woman I think those are pretty NICE numbers.

[AndyTiedye]

13. GIVE ME AN "F", GIVE ME AN "I", GIVE ME AN "L", GIVE ME ANOTHER "I"...

FILIBUSTER

[Dr Fate]

14. Filibuster or BUST!

Give us some hope, DEMS- please do the right thing and filibuster that buster!!!

[Wordie]

16. K&R

[John Q. Citizen]

19. I would worry, but the Corporate Media isn't very reliable. N/T

[MetaTrope]

22. Dear Congressional Democrats, please visit the lost and found