What about the return of the "nuclear option?"

[SteppingRazor]

If Dems fight Scalito, will the Republicans declare this a breach of the shaky truce the two parties worked out, and invoe the so-called nuclear option?

My opinion: Who cares if they do? This nomination should be fought up until the bitter end. If they have to nuke us to win, they look like asses.

[bowens43]

1. Well

half of America will think they look like asses and the other half will think the Dems look like asses for blocking the nomination.

[sharp_stick]

2. Not only do they look like asses

the Dems will pretty much shut the Senate down for the next year or so and make sure everyone knows that it's the fault of Bill (I'll diagnose you from an old video) Frist and the rest of his corrupt POS cronies in the GOP

[waiting for hope]

3. Certainly they will...

and why didn't Bush take up the advice from so many sources talking this weekend about letting O'Connor stay the course for this year? He wants a fight, pure and simple, and he really doesn't care about the overall effect on this country. :nuke: Bring it on - it will only show that they have their own agenda and not the good of the country at heart.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. They'll go nuclear

because their end game is complete destruction of the Democratic party and the ascendancy of the repuke fascists. I remember one of my pro-peace workers who met with our repuke con man, showing him a letter signed by all of us, condemning the culture of corruption. The repuke got really mad--at us--like how dare we not bow down to him or something. I say shut the congress down for as long as it takes, rather than have this person on the SCOTUS

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

5. The fillibuster is supported by a large majority

If the repugs go nuclear, then they'll be made to pay in 2006.

[SteppingRazor]

6. I agree. Does that mean we should actually be hoping they do it? n/t

[AlGore-08.com]

7. The 7 Dems promised only to filibuster under "extraordinary circumstances"

And even when it was announced, the GOPers involved said that "the nominee is too conservative" was not "extraordinary circumstances". The nuclear option is still on the table.

[SteppingRazor]

8. I know. But as you point out...

It was only the GOP side that said being too conservative was not extraordinary circumstances.

If the Dems do filibuster (and there's a fairly good chance they will), will the GOP go with the nuclear option?

I'm aware it's still on the table, I'm asking if they'll use it. I think they might.

And the second question is, if they do, is it a blessing in disguise?

[pdxmom]

9. The talking heads have been saying over and over that

the far right wants a fight. I've heard the fundies come out and say that themselves. They want there to be a serious divide in this country. They're gleeful to see the country split and at each other's throats.

I think that means that we have to take the fight to them. Let them go after the nuclear option. I think it'll backfire on them. I think if they use this guy, who is out of the mainstream, as their poster boy to use this option,the moderates will see this for what it is. A move to turn our schools into Christian madrassahs, our homes into a husband's "realm" and our country into a theocracy.

[Burning Water]

10. I agree.

I think both we and the RW really want this fight. If we win, I foresee gains in the next election and a turn of America towards the left.

If they win, might as well pack up the suitcases and head for Canada. The country will be changed forever.

[Kber]

11. Singular73, in another thread made a very good point

the dems might have a shot at taking over the senate in 2006. To employee the nuclear option now would be suicide for the republicans.

The Dems have nothing to lose by employing the filibuster.