Think there's any chance they'll filibuster?

[wakemewhenitsover]

[acmejack]

1. None whatsoever

watch.

[davidwparker]

5. though they should. with all the problems the repugs have caused, Dems

should filibuster to 1) make a unified stand against this nominee and the direction the USA will go and 2) make the repugs go nuclear to further show their contempt for the process that has lasted so long and that they power hungry with no respect for checks and balances of the Constitution.

[Quakerfriend]

2. They had better. I just can't believe they will let this

go thru.

[still_one]

3. i only know i am holding the dems accountable for their actions

and if they do NOT use every means at their disposal to stop alito I will remember and act accordingly when I vote or grab my wallet to donate

[sui generis]

4. I sure hope so

I mean what does the guy have to do, show up with a needle in his arm and his dick in a four year old?

This huge written record of his stances, judicial philosophy, and willingness to take sides always in favor of corporate interests and power? What the hell else do we need?

If we can't muster a meaningful resistance to this LIFETIME appointment I'm not sure I even want to be a dem any more. I'll wait and see but I'm not holding my breath.

[KennedyGuy]

6. Not a chance...

Although they have a damaged President, and a nominee who seems to clearly stste his willingness to overturn Roe, the democrats will be bullied, intimidated, roll over, just as they have done for the past 6 yrs. I think they really enjoy being in the minority and reaping the congressional perks without having to be responsible for govorning. When abortion is made illegal they will all look at each other and ask how this happened. Remember this day.

[Matt Jordan]

7. As a threat...

...right now I'd say the filibuster is pretty empty, buster.

Matt

- The Real Gorilla

[papau]

8. The GOP had counted 35 to a max 38 votes for Filibuster last

month.

It may have been a GOP bluff - but I have not seen a Dem Whip count.

[wakemewhenitsover]

20. Can you explain?

[papau]

22. Sure - after Christmas folks associated with the GOP were telling some

media that the Democratic Party would not be able to get more than 35 to 38 votes for a filibuster. One fellow said 32 votes.

I just listen or hear about such stuff and note it - it is often just a bluff or a spin.

And I do recall the media that did report that type of comment did it for only one day.

So it is not even rumor - just "expert" speculation - from the GOP.

In any case 41 votes are needed to stop Alito via filibuster.

[Burning Water]

9. I'd like to see a filibuster,

just so we can show the American people how we stand by our principles, and what they are. It would lose, big time. It might even be a PR disaster for us (OBSTRUCTIONISTS), but if handled right it would show the Dems in a good, even heroic light. Don't know if our 'leaders' have got either the brains or the balls to pull it off, though.

[neverevergivein]

10. I'll go ahead and say it

The Democrats will Filibuster. The Filibuster will end Alito's nomination. We will show spine and LEADERSHIP. We will fight to save this country. If we do not, then our party is over and this country is over.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

12. If they don't

It's because Reich-Marshall Alito has too much repuke support and delaying tactics won't help. The repukes are holding the constitution hostage and will vote that no filibustering is allowed anymore. The goose-steppers are hoping for a filibuster right now, to further dismantle or system of govt.

[bowens43]

11. Nope. Not a chance.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

13. and frankly

I don't want our top-brass going into a battle they'll lose... those are some wise, political savy Dem. leaders we have in DC. Wisdom says, let's live to filibuster another day and choose our battles well. YOU GO DC DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, WE LOVE YOU ANYHOW AND OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU!!!

[Edgewater_Joe]

14. Enabler

The Repunks are dissembling our country ANYWAY. The ONLY prayer we have is to expose as much of it as possible -- and the NuKewLur OpShun is as bright-as-day as it gets.

Besides, if we don't use the filibuster now we effectively destroy it ourselves by letting it burn a hole in our pockets.

F that -- use it or lose it.

[bowens43]

15. I don't see how the 'nuclear option'

does anything but harm us. It will energize the rights political base and it will deal us a solid political loss that will be spun as a bush win by the media and the talking heads. This is a battle we can't win. Assuming that the republicans want Alito , and I think they do, we can't stop them. I think that with all the breaking scandals that the repugs face that they may see this as their last chance for a 'win' for a long time. They know that they are going to lose congress in 2006 and probably the presidency in 2008. They will nt allow another nominatin to be sunk.

[Dr Fate]

17. Those "wise, political savy Dem. leaders" who lost the last 3 elections?

I've seen where this non-agressive strategy has gotten us so far.

The sad thing is, you nailed it- this IS what they think, and this IS why we will keep on losing.

Swing voters want Clint Eastwood, not Ghandi.

[Dr Fate]

16. If Ed Schultz and the usual DLC apologists of DU are a clue, no way.

RIP USA

[srdancer]

18. They Had Better

Alito is a "go-along kind of guy." I believe it when he says he didn't know what 'the club' was about when he joined. There he was, floating around, when some of the In Crowd slapped him on the back, and said, "We're forming a new club. Wanna join?" "Sure," says Alito. He just wanted to be in with the cool guys. Bush nominated Alito because Alito will go along.

If we let Alito get onto the Supreme Court, every neo-con artist in the White House is gonna blow on this guy and he'll bend with it.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. Doubtful -- they'll just get dressed up in their uniforms

and do what they usually do, which is pretty much nothing.

[welshTerrier2]

21. hmmmm ... lots of pessimism here ...

i say they go for it ... Alito really is an extremist ... his hero is Robert Bork ...

check out this editorial: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/opinion/12thur1.html?hp

[McCamy Taylor]

23. If they have a clue they will. The Dems need to look strong.

Roe v. Wade is a popular issue with their own base and even outside their base (56% approval overall). This is a perfect opprotunity for a much needed show of strength.

And if the Republicans go "nuclear" they will look like a bunch of Newt Gingriches tearing down Democracy in order to shove the minority opinion down the throats of the majority. The voters will not be amused.

Everyone get out there and call, email and fax Senators.


The Senate said they were "saving" their fillibuster. I dont know what they were "saving" it for if not for this. If they dont fillibuster Alito, then I have to assume that they have either

1. made a deal with Big Business to take over the reins of power from the GOP in 2008 and part of the bargain is that Big Business wants Alito on the SCOTUS or

2. the Democrats are as dumb as a bag of rocks.