If Democrats say they're filibustering right now, RW will crucify us

[LynneSin]

I think the filibuster is in the works but any democrat on that Judiciary Committee isn't going to come out and admit it because one they say they plan on filibustering, the right-wing repukes will go to town on with the Media claiming we're not giving Alito a fair chance.

It's best that we keep asking the questions and hammering away at Alito (or as DailyKos calls him - Borkalito) and keep mum or possibly talk about filibuster not being probable. Then when the vote comes - WHAMMY!!!

The Republicans want us to announce our intentions of filibustering because then they can start chirping about their "Nuclear Option" and vilifying us in the press. They can't do that if we don't talk about the filibuster.

So the silence is not worrying me. The first sign the filibuster is on is when every democrat in committee votes against Alito. Then you know it's going to happen!

[Bjornsdotter]

1. From your

...lips to their ears.

I hope so, I hope they have the guts to do it.

Cheers!

[AtomicKitten]

17. Yep, surprises are so much nicer!

Of course they're not going to divulge strategy now. They're being crucified for something Republican Graham did! Well, at least I HOPE they are keeping their powder dry only to let 'em have at the vote ...

[rucky]

2. Thanks!

I've been getting impatient with this dog & pony show.

[LynneSin]

4. Dog & Pony show is going to go on for a bit more

but it would be dumb to announce our intentions before the guy even makes it to the floor where said action would be taken.

Best that we keep mum about this until it's time to strike. Harry Reid is an incredible leader and I can almost guarentee that's what he's asking of our team right now!

[Child_Of_Isis]

3. vilifying us in the press

This is pretty much a daily thing. Everyone is used to it by now.

[LynneSin]

6. But think about what would happen if Biden or Kerry screamed 'FILIBUSTER'

I swear we'd be safer in a packed movie theater screaming fire!!

We tell the press our intent is to filibuster then we we see 24X7 coverage of the repukes screaming about their damn 'Nuclear Option' and basically soundling like screaming banshees being tortured throughout the TV dial.

We have to filibuster this asshole and even the republicans know we're going to filibuster this asshole. But if we keep our gameplan quiet and not go screaming all over the place, then the repukes can't start their media crusade about the "Nuclear Option".

[sendero]

29. I don't want them to talk about it..

... I just want them to DO it. I want them to take a stand, to take a risk, to show that Democrats DO IN FACT HAVE PRINCIPLES and are WILLING TO ACT ON THEM.

The RW noise machine will go crazy, what else is new. When they start the "up or down vote" bullshit, remind them of Harriett Miers.

[Vincardog]

5. OK Democrats BRING IT ON I am so tired of the LIES

[LynneSin]

8. They will bring it on when the time is right

No need to go into the 2 minute drill when we still have about 3 quarters left of playtime!

[Vincardog]

9. ALright when the time is right. The time is NOW not one more

FASCIST Thug on our courts. They do not have to say a damn word except NAY when the vote comes.

[LynneSin]

10. The general time is now, but now is not the time to announce it

Unless you want to bring out Dick Cheney scowling about how the repukes are going Nuclear on the filibuster. And Cheney & the repukes can't do that if we act like we don't really care about filibustering.

[400Years]

28. the time was yesterday but all we ever get it promises of tomorrow

[meegbear]

7. My thoughts exactly!!

Let the proceedings' dust settle first.

[danalytical]

11. They'll cave

I see no push toward a filibuster at all. They are just making speeches. Watch, they'll vote no t satisfy us and their conscience but won't block the vote.

[Vincardog]

12. I realllllllly pray you are wrong

[LynneSin]

13. So you're telling me you work for Harry Reid or Pat Leahy....

and they told you this?

I think Reid (Minority Leader) and Leahy (Judicial minority chair) have told their team to keep their mouths shut and downplay the filibuster.

Everytime a controversial judge comes up to the nomination process the talk of filibuster starts and then republicans start chanting "NUCLEAR OPTION NUCLEAR OPTION NUCLEAR OPTION". If the republicans know we're going to filibuster then they're going to start going after the nuclear option. So Reid & Leahy are basically like, keep mum on the filibuster and even downplay it.

I could be wrong but unless someone with direct ties to Leahy or Reid comes on this board and tells us the filibuster is off then I'm thinking that it'll happen!

[danalytical]

14. You have it backwards

Until someone tells you that it IS Going to happen, then you need to assume it won't. What happened every other time a major issue or bill came up?

[LynneSin]

16. I don't know - we looked pretty good there at the end of 2005

Maybe what's happened is democrats have learned the repuke's game plan which is to take it to the media after major threats and distortions.

You cannot threaten or distort was has not been put out there on the table!

This isn't the democratic senate of Tom Daschle. Harry Reid has run a tight ship and knows the secret to pulling out victories against republicans. And in 2005 he has earned my trust!

[danalytical]

18. Reid

Reid gained my trust throughout 05 as well, but that doesn't mean Lieberman, Nelson, Biden, and a few other Dem's can;t throw a wrench in a filibuster by simply going to vote anyway. The Republicans only need 5 Democrats, and that is possible.

[LynneSin]

19. Hate to disappoint you - Lieberman said he would filibuster

I mean that's so unpredictiable from a guy who supports the war but votes like 72% of the time with the democratic party especially when it comes to the environment and war, but he said it.

Don't believe me

http://www.dailykos.com/
Representatives from DFA groups around the state went to Hartford with Jim Dean yesterday to meet with Senator Lieberman. We went in prepared to talk about a number of topics: the war (and the Senator's attitude toward it), the Alito nomination, the Patriot Act, and Senator Lieberman's uncomfortable closeness with the current administration.

. . . Vicki Usher and Carol (from Marilyn Mackay's group - sorry I don't remember your last name, Carol!) brought up the Alito nomination, and we all were pleasantly surprised with Senator Lieberman said that a filibuster was on the table for him - hopefully he'll stick to his guns!

When it comes to matters of the Environment and Woman's choice, Joe Lieberman is as reliable as the atomic clock.

[danalytical]

22. Disappoint?

What kind of stupid jab is that? I'm just saying Lieberman and some other soft Dem's could ruin a filibuster. Just because Joe said it was "on the table" that doesn't mean he will do it if the leadership asks. I don't know what Joe or Nelson or any of them are going to do, but I have a feeling this will come to a vote. No not just a feeling, but a long track record of not filibustering to look at. Why speculate that it will happen, and with such conviction too? You are only setting yourself up for disappointment. It can go either way, and if history tells us anything, it's leaning toward NOT. I'm not saying they won;t, but I am saying chances are they won't.

[LynneSin]

23. Disappoint because folks are so damn blind when it comes to Lieberman

why would a man who has a 100% favorable rating with NARAL and Planned Parenthood go against them.

He's supported all the other judicial filibusters - what happened this time around that suddenly Joe Lieberman, passionately pro-choice, is now anti-choice?

[danalytical]

24. You're a little confused I think

Lieberman can and probably has said that Abortion is only one issue in the process of determining whether to vote or yay or nay. Besides I'm not even talking specifically about Lieberman, I'm talking about the defectors in general. Lieberman just happens to be on the "stab the Dems in the back" team. Or did I miss something over the last 5 years of Lieberman sucking up to the Republicans?

The issue I had with the point of this thread is that you are all planning on a filibuster when there is no signals from the present or the past to base that on. Chances or they won't filibuster, and that sucks. But don't go fooling yourself just because we want it to happen.

[LynneSin]

30. You've obviously missed alot

Lieberman's rating with the ADA (American Democratic Association) has him at 72%. Sure it's not Russ Feingold but hell that's better than all republicans out there including Chafee.

Lieberman is a warhawk, I'll give you that and because the war is a #1 priority of some many of us here at DU we tend to assume that Lieberman votes the same way with republicans all the time.

He doesn't.

He was one of the big players to filibuster the DEFENSE budget because the drilling in Alaska's refuge was nestled in there and Lieberman is a stalwart against drilling. In fact he has an amazing environment record and has perfect ratings with LCV (League of Conservation Voters), Sierra Club and many other environmental groups.

Lieberman also has a stellar record when it comes to the ACLU and his voting record. Lieberman has always been a strong supporter for many social issues and he did not support the President's push for Social Security 'reform'.

Try not to be so typical of making assumptions that Lieberman always votes republicans. If you viewed his entire record you'll find quite the opposite. I have faith that if the filibuster goes through that Lieberman will support it just like he said he would.

[danalytical]

31. He didn't say he would support a filibuster

He said it was on the table, meaning he wouldn;t rule it out as an option. But if he decides Alito isn;t worth a filibuster and Reid does, he will go in and vote. I know all about Lieberman, I live in CT. I read all his statements in the papers, and he is a kissass. He brings home the bacon and that's why he's still our senator. I know he helped defeat the defense bill and I applaud him for that. But I am still skeptical of him. We are talking about the same guy who flirted with an appointment to the Bush team.

[formernaderite]

25. I'm tending to agree with you

I'm not feeling enough energy on this. Even their questioning has been kind of half-hearted.

[400Years]

15. They'll stop Alito just like they stopped the Iraq war

when have they ever opposed anything bush wants?

whistling past the graveyard

[FreedomAngel82]

20. I hope you're right

[0007]

27. I'll second that!

[McCamy Taylor]

21. Fingers crossed. Meantime, call Reid and say "Yes, fillibuster!"

[nancyharris]

26. You seem to be forgetting

that new Senatorial concept "Extraordinary Circumstances". Unfortunately there are seven Democratic Senators that WILL vote for cloture. That was the pact with the devil they made. Unless someone discovers the proverbial "pubic hair on the Coke can", you can start referring to him as Supreme Court Justice Alito (or Ali-o-to if you are so inclined).

[Jeffersons Ghost]

32. as a Vietnam Era Veteran....

I say let's trust these wise leaders in DC and fall right in behind our party... They're alot smarter than actual Generals from my service days... I say, "GUESS WHAT ALL YOU FREEPER SPYS IN HERE... WE'RE BEHIND THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP 100% YOU GO TOP BRASS! YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST... LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY AND WE'LL BE THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU DECIDE WE MIGHT CAN WIN. Generals pick battles, foot-grunts like me will fight them door to door in the upcoming Nov elections.