WP: Democrats Split Over Filibuster On Alito

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012601955.html

Democrats Split Over Filibuster On Alito

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 27, 2006; Page A01

Several prominent Democratic senators called for a filibuster of Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s Supreme Court nomination yesterday, exposing a deep divide in the party even as they delighted the party's liberal base.

The filibuster's supporters -- including Sens. John F. Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts -- acknowledged that the bid is likely to fail and that Alito is virtually certain to be confirmed Tuesday. But they said extended debate may draw more Americans' attention to Alito's conservative stands on abortion, civil rights, presidential powers and other matters.

...

Party sources said Reid and others worry that a filibuster, while likely to fail, will nonetheless detract voters' attention from issues that Democratic leaders consider more promising. They include Bush's controversial domestic surveillance program, the indictments of a top White House official and a congressional leader, and the unfolding scandal centered on former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

...

While Reid hoped to avoid a filibuster, Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.) supports it. But at a midday session with reporters, Durbin acknowledged the likely futility.
"Having made a count," he said, "I have come to the conclusion it is highly unlikely that a filibuster would succeed."

[SIU_Blue]

1. Proud of my senators

as for those others who are not supporting this...words are not enough to express my outrage.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Me 2.

Two of the finest.

[rodeodance]

2. hey Reid--presidental powers are what this filly would be about!

.Party sources said Reid and others worry that a filibuster, while likely to fail, will nonetheless detract voters' attention from issues that Democratic leaders consider more promising. They include Bush's controversial domestic surveillance program, the indictments of a top White House official and a congressional leader, and the unfolding scandal centered on former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

[Rose Siding]

3. Without an independent judiciary, none of those other issues matter a whit

-Fretting about illegal spying while allowing the court to be packed with sycophants is like struggling to give someone a manicure when they're in the middle of a grand mal siezure.

[Auntie Bush]

8. My only hope is that the Dems will win in 2008 and that more

justices will retire and we can counter act Alito's voting.

Maybe Reid's right that discussing all those other things is very important. Besides...suppose someone else retires or dies while bush* is still in office? Maybe we should save our filibuster for them.

[rodeodance]

4. glad to see it is getting some press.

[Art_from_Ark]

5. It's always "Democrats split over this, Democrats split over that"

While on the other side of the aisle, it's always "Republicans unified in their juggernaut to ram their extremist agenda down America's throat" :banghead:

[wordpix2]

7. Dems ARE split and those in Congress should get their acts together

literally

[kysrsoze]

9. You nailed it. This is our problem.

[SoCalDem]

11. yep.. what else is new?

If we cannot get together as a party, are we really one?

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Democrats Split Over Filibuster On Alito (WP)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/26/AR2006012601955.html?referrer=email

[Rhiannon12866]

12. What the Washington Post had to say about this seemed almost mean-spirited

to me. When I got an e-mail from the Kerry people, saying that he would lead the call for a filibuster, I was delighted, and was determined to phone my senators, yet again, with yet another message. This is damned important, and hardly partisan. The future of our country is at stake, but, apparently, The Washington Post is not on board with this...:-(