Three Options: FILIBUSTER, Vote to confirm, OR Get Out!!

[pat_k]

Mister Senator / Madame Senator:

Either publicly throw your support behind the Filibuster OR Vote to Confirm.

Hypocrites who make a useless and phony display of Voting NO after refusing to support the Filibuster are exactly the kind of weasels we no longer need.

Ed Henry's report this morning says it all. The Senators need to hear from us. NOW!!

CNN
Ed Henry
January 24, 2006
10:04 AM

. . . There is no suspense. We all know this is likely to be a party line vote. . . {Alito} would then move on to the Senate floor tomorrow, where there will be a debate throughout the end of the week. . .

There could be a vote as early as the end of the week or early next week. But again, we are expecting a party line vote pretty much there as well. It is clear the Republicans have a majority of at least 51 votes to get Alito confirmed. They may fall short of the 60 votes they need to break off a Filibuster. But I can tell you Senior Democrats privately admitting the obvious at this point. They really don't think they can launch and sustain a filibuster.

You look at the latest CNN USA Today poll. It's clear that a majority of Americans think he should be confirmed and Democrats acknowledge they really haven't been able to muster much of an effort to stop him, so they are not going to Filibuster. Ah. . .All Democrats really hope to do at this point is keep the final vote total for Alito as low as possible. You'll remember that last year Chief Justice John Roberts got 78 votes. . .

Right not there is only one Democrat, Ben Nelson, who has publicly said he would vote for Alito. Democrats have said they want to keep the vote total as low as possible. They want to for two reasons -- they want to suggest this was a polarizing nomination and make this kind of a tainted victory for the White House.

But Republicans are saying a Victory is a Victory. Alito is gonna be confirmed in a few days, and if there is any polarization, it is because of the Democratic effort -- which has now failed -- to stop him.

Polls are meaningless. (What else would people think when all they have heard is malarkey? -- that Alito came through hearings with flying colors and confirmation is inevitiable?). We know the truth. Our leaders know it.

Alito told us everything we need to know about him when he offered his standard response -- that he couldn't offer an opinion; that he'd figure it out if it came to the Supreme Court -- to the hypothetical case Sen. Biden posed. (If We the People, through our representatives in the Senate and House, passed a resolution prohibiting the President from ordering any sort of attack on Iran, could the President ignore our will and order Bombs to be dropped on Iran?)

Mister Senator / Madame Senator:

The ONLY vote total we care about is the Cloture vote.

We don't WANT you to "suggest" anything; we want you to actually Do Something to stop this menace to our most basic tenets. A "victory" for the While House, no matter how "tainted" is a body blow to our constitutional democracy!!

The ONLY thing we care about is that you do EVERYTHING in your power to keep the Alito nomination from going to a vote on the floor. Filibuster; if they go "Nuclear" walk out, shut down or boycott all business, and show them what a melt down looks like!

If you obstruct the filibuster and pave Alito's way by voting for cloture, and then hypocritically vote against confirmation, you WILL face a battle in the next primary.

Americans across the political spectrum respect leaders who have the courage to fight the good fights. They know, and despise, a SHAM fight when they see one.

If you put up a REAL fight you CAN stop Alito and show the nation that Democrats fight for their principles. If, despite your best efforts, the nomination comes to the floor, we will not begrudge you your symbolic vote against confirmation.

[iamjoy]

1. I Don't Know If We Can Stop Him

I've read the stats too, majority of Americans think he should be confirmed, but a majority also think abortion should be legal, at least in most circumstances. It seems a lot of the people who think Alito should be confirmed who also don't want further abortion restrictions do not see Alito as a threat to women's freedom. What fools they are. Alito and his kind not only threaten abortion rights, not only threaten reproductive rights, but threaten to return us to the days of coverture.

No one who votes for Alito is truly Pro-Woman or Pro-Choice.

[John Q. Citizen]

3. Do you have a link to a poll that shows a majority of Americans favor

comfirmation?

The only poll I've seen (Rasmusan) said 39% favored comfimation

[pat_k]

5. Our leaders CAN stop him. We CAN make their duty clear to them.

Reports tell us that there are probably more than 41 Senators who intend to Vote Against Confirmation if the vote comes to the floor.

They are claiming there are not enough to PREVENT the vote from going to the floor. They only need 41 to block, so it appears that some Senators think they can Vote Against Alito "in protest" on the floor after DOING NOTHING to keep the nomination from getting to a vote at all!

We need to make it clear to each and every one of those people, that we will NOT tolerate sham opposition. We need to tell them "Don't BOTHER voting against confirmation if you Vote to End Debate. Anyone who votes for cloture IS an Alito supporter, so don't try to pretend otherwise."

If the Alito nomination does go to a vote on the Senate floor, and more than 40 of them vote against confirmation, then we are going on a WEASEL HUNT!

We WILL go after each and every member who had the craven hypocrisy to vote to end debate and then make a pretense of opposition by voting against nomination.

[bowens43]

14. They need 51 to block it.

[pat_k]

20. No. They don't. They need 41. Sure, Frist can violate our . . .

. . . constitutional democracy by unilaterally changing the rules required to change the rules in order to change the rules. (All this, in order to put a man on the court who hasn't decided whether America is a dictatorship OR a constitutional democracy.)

What they "might do" is irrelevant to what our principled leaders must do.

When called into battle, we don't let members of our armed services "opt out." We don't let them say "Oh NO, I'm not going. We might get beaten."

When principle demands it, they must fight, whatever they think their chances are.

[John Q. Citizen]

22. Sorry to ask again. Do you have a link to any polls showing a majority

of Americans support the comfimation of Alito?

Thanks

[pat_k]

23. Here 'tis

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/23/alito/

It was conducted Fri - Sun -- after incessant propaganda that Dems "failed to dent." Of course, relative to polls that include weekdays, weekend polls ALWAYS favor the fascists -- guess more center/left folks are out and about.

Not that it matters, but this poll went from 49% to 54% -- Haven't had a chance to poke around for others.

[John Q. Citizen]

25. Thanks for the link. I have to say, I'm a bit skeptical considering

Rasmussen said 39% supported putting Alito on the court, with 35% undecided. I suspect there are a lot of Americans who are not following the story in the least. 54% (CNN) sounds suspiciously high with 30% opposed. That means just 16% undecided.




http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/January%20Dailies/Alito%20Confirmation%20Jan%2013.htm

[pat_k]

26. Their "everybody knows" propaganda effectively creates a false reatlity.

But our "leaders" KNOW it is a false reality. Some will certainly try to use the poll as a rationalization for sitting on their hands. We need to challenge that rationalization.

I have a theory that some people operate on belief, others operate on knowledge.
For knowledge people, things need to add up, beliefs are theories that are constantly being tested. They figure out how things fit together and fill in gaps as they seek to understand their world.

Belief people come to their beliefs by looking to others. They adopt conclusions and don't need to know the basis. Beliefs are beliefs, not theories. Belief people adopt a belief because people they identify with believe it. They are influenced by the beliefs of people that "cut to the chase."

Belief people are also quick to adopt beliefs contained in "everybody knows" propaganda, but they can also change on a dime. They don't need to spend time reconstructing the basis to reach a new conclusion.

How does this relate to the polling? If the Dems publicly announced their intention to Filibuster, the polls would shift so fast beltway heads spin. The Dems just need to come out strong. (e.g., At yesterday's press conference, Senator Reid said "Alito's refusal to put ANY limits on Executive authority is extraordinary. He is a threat to fundamental principles of our constitutional democracy. Forty-four members of the Senate agree and are committed to blocking it nomination. There will be a Filibuster.")

---------------
BTW, if you're interested, a discussion of the "belief people v. knowledge people" notion made Salon's Post of the Week (see the third entry).

As I note in the discussion on Salon, This theory is an operational theory -- it's explanatory and useful in practice, but may or may not capture an underlying reality. Regardless of the validity, it saves me a lot of frustration and grief. It also gives me hope. We don't need to inform or educate "everybody" -- we shouldn't even try. We can ignore misguided belief people. We just need to reach that critical mass and the misguided belief people will come around on their own.

[Dr Fate]

38. Bingo- that is why they are called "swing-voters." n/t

n/t

[mom cat]

31. Well 52% think that Bush should be impeached!

[pat_k]

34. Darn right! -- The Dems need to understand that simply FIGHTING . . .

. . .would get them the "angry white man" vote.

These folks revel in accusation and punishment aimed at a specific perpetrators. The more personal, the more "Get 'Em, Get 'Em people like it.

Fighting for Impeachment is not just the MORALLY correct thing, it is the SMART thing to do politically!

Fighting Alito with everything they've got is also constitutes the kind of Accusation and Punishment that appeals to many on the right:

• Accusing the man of being a menace to fundamental American principles; accusing the Bush Syndicate of threatening our constitutional democracy by nominating a menace. (and we all know how much Bush hates being thwarted!).
  
• Punishing him by keeping off the court; punishing the Bush Syndicate for nomination a menace.

With every fight, Dems would gain points from the right and from the people who have opted out and given on "leaders" who fail to lead.

[mom cat]

35. You are on a good roll...keep it up!

:applause:

[pat_k]

36. Trying to split between posting and calls. All the busy signals are very.

. . .encouraging -- but frustrating.

You've been on a Roll yourself! So many people. Here. On TableTalk... Action DOES breed Hope (and hope => action. . . )

[Dr Fate]

28. The majority of those polled thought we should invade Iraq too.

DEMS need to stop pretending that Swing-voters are informed and that they really know what they want.

They are called "swing voters" b/c they change their mind when influenced by the best talking points- but they often change their minds once the hard facts unravel...

[pat_k]

33. A little theory on why a segment of the public turns on a dime in Post #26

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2388509&mesg_id=2389136

[electropop]

29. Ed Henry is full of it.

He is playing propaganda games to get us to become defeatist. Alito is finito if our Senators have some spine. If they are sane, they will filibuster him until November, when the Congress flips to Dem control. If they do not, there will be no need for further elections - Bush will be coronated the following day.

[pat_k]

42. Delay's Redistricting Plan finally got to back SCOTUS, and they . . .

. . .do not want O'Conner to be there when they consider it.

Delay's discriminatory scheme is a BIG deal in the fight for Congress.

They have gone to great lengths to keep the blatantly illegal and discriminatory plan in place for a long as possible.

Before the election, in June of 2003, R. Alexander Acosta became the new Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. He was put in place to force through Delay's redistricting plan (and to do a lot of other dirty work) -- and to stonewall any actions that would lead to the plan being overturned. SCOTUS took part in the stonewalling, but the challenges to Delay's plan have finally made it back to SCOTUS.

If they don't replace O'Connor in time, the Delay’s redistricting plan is likely to be toast (or at least they fear it will be).

If Alito doesn’t make it, who knows what lengths they will go to to prevent O’Connor from rendering judgment on that case..

See R. Alexander Acosta's Role in Stealing the 2004 Election for history and status of Delay's Scheme (particularly the October 19, 2004 and December 2, 2005 entries).

[stray cat]

2. Bush: "You are either for us or against us"

Most days I'm skeptical of black and white ultimatums.

[pat_k]

6. Slavery is Evil -- America principle CANNOT coexist with Fascist principle

. . .There are many, many simple dichotomies and absolutes in life.

Perhaps the biggest problem faced by "knowledge people" is their in ability to assert the absolute truths, absolutely.

It is time for our leaders to draw lines and fight the fights principle demands of them.

[cali]

8. Me too

Really dislike this type of post. I support (with some reservations) a filibuster, but I absolutely refuse to join the tar and feather gang if they don't.

[pat_k]

12. No Tar. No Feathers. Just STRONG Primary Challengers. . .

Who said anything about Tar and Feathers?

We need to let them know we will not tolerate weasels that make a hypocritical vote against confirmation AFTER voting to end debate. If any take the weasel route, we identify Wealthy or Well-Known (or both) primary challengers who are willing to stand up for us and who have the resources to kick ass in the Primary and General Elections.

It is really pretty simple.

Alito is emblematic of the ever-expanding dictatorial powers claimed by the Bush Syndicate. The fight to keep Alito off the Court is our Normandy in the fight to defend our constitutional democracy.

We expect the men and women of our armed services to risk life and limb to fulfill their oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Every member of Congress takes the same oath. We will not tolerate dereliction of duty.

[cali]

17. Could you get anymore

hysterical? This is a ridiculous and fruitless plan. First of all, a minority of dem Senators are up for election this year. And as for your statement that " If any take the weasel route, we identify Wealthy or Well-Known (or both) primary challengers who are willing to stand up for us and who have the resources to kick ass in the Primary and General Elections", all I can say is good luck. Not gonna happen. And just try it in my state. Vermonters sent Patrick Leahy back to the Senate in 2004 with over 70% of the vote for a sixth term. This year we'll elect Bernie. I'm proud of my congressional delegation. I support Patrick whether or not there's a filibuster.

[pat_k]

18. Leahy has made it clear he would vote Against Cloture. Principled. . .

actions like that are WHY he gets elected with 70%

[Salviati]

4. In addition to pounding our own senators on this...

we should also be hitting the so-called "moderate" republicans. This is a put-up or shut-up moment for them. Either they support a womans right to make her own medical decisions or they don't, and it will soon be clear which side of the fence they fall on, regardless of their own pronouncements...

[pat_k]

9. Absolutely. But, Roe is the least of our worries with Alito. . .

Alito doesn't know whether or not we live in a dictatorship. He made this clear when he offered his standard response -- that he couldn't offer an opinion; that he'd figure it out if it came to the Supreme Court -- to the hypothetical case Sen. Biden posed. (If We the People, through our representatives in the Senate and House, passed a resolution prohibiting the President from ordering any sort of attack on Iran, could the President ignore our will and order Bombs to be dropped on Iran?)

Overturning Roe is the least of our worries. The Bush Syndicate and their henchmen like Alito are out to overturn the Constitution for the United States of America.

Alito refused to draw ANY line on Executive Power. Babies on Spikes on the White House Lawn? Might be constitutional... depends on the circumstances. Would need to see the case. Did spiking the babies advance the Executive's war on terror? Lots of questions. . .

You don't need a law degree to know their violations are criminal abuses of power. You don't even need a high school diploma to know that the absolute power they claim and wield is never freely given to a leader; it is only taken by deception or force.

The notion that we have divided power equally among the branches is just another fascist fantasy. As the expression of our will, we have given Congress power over the other branches. We gave the House of Representative, the body most responsive to our will, "the sole power of Impeachment." Of course, we sometimes pass laws to address specific problems that conflict with the principles we have established in our Constitution. To ensure that, as we strive to create a more perfect union, our laws are the best reflection of our will possible in this imperfect world, we have given the task of resolving those conflicts to the Judiciary. We have NOT given the Judiciary the power to override our will, only to reconcile conflicts.

When the Bush Syndicate flagrantly violates our laws, they are committing crimes against the most basic tenet of our Constitutional Democracy -- that WE THE PEOPLE are sovereign, Congress is OUR voice, and the laws we enact must be respected as expressions of our sovereign authority.

[Salviati]

15. Absolutely...

There are a whole laundry list of reasons to keep him away from the supreme court, we should use any and all of them that will help us do that...

[bowens43]

7. Voting 'No' on the floor of the Senate is also a valid option.

What exactly do we have to gain by mounting a filibuster that can't be sustained? The attitude I see hear on DU is very short sighted. Reid will know whether or not 6 Republicans can be convinced to stop a rules change. If they can't , a filibuster will be a politically risky move. I hope that our Senators are thinking more about winning in November then they are about fighting a battle they can't win. Shutting down the Senate after a rules change will certainly NOT work in our favor in November.

[pat_k]

11. No. Yes on Cloture/No on Alito is NOT a valid option

There is NOTHING complex about sustaining a filibuster. You need 60 votes for cloture to end debate. They can't get 60 votes, debate doesn't end.

If 41 (or more) Senators refuse to vote for cloture, the filibuster is "a done deal." Alito's nomination does not go to the floor. Nobody has to vote yes or no.

If fewer than 41 Senators vote against against cloture, there better be fewer than 41 No Votes on the floor.

If ANY Senator thinks they can get away with Voting Against Confirmation AFTER Voting to End Debate, they better think again.

(Of course, Frist threatens to "Goes Nuclear" and toss out rules that have long protected our constitutional democracy -- if he does, great. He walks into a trap and exposes them as the fascists they are. If he goes nuclear, the Dems need to walk out and boycott all Senate business until our rules are restored.)

[bowens43]

13. You haven't been paying attention, have you?

They only need 51 votes to change the rules to end a filibuster. There is NOTHING that they can do to stop this appointment if the Republicans are united in wanting it. The only possible way to sustain a filibuster is to get 6 Republicans to oppose a rules change. I don't think that's going to happen.

Walk into a trap? Nonsense. The 'nuclear option' will energize the Republican base. their fund raising will skyrocket. It will cause the filibuster to be reported far and wide as a HUGE Democratic loss (which it will be) and it will alienate many of the centrist voters who voted Republican in 2004 but are leaning the other way as well as bringing back many of the far right/strict constructionist voters who were leaning 3rd party this year. Shutting down the Senate will harm Democrats in November , not Republicans.

I hate to see our party sacrifice control of Congress for a feel good battle that can't be won.

[pat_k]

16. "Nothing they can do" is a fascist fantasy.

Our leaders must stand up and do EVERYTHING in their power. That is what we are asking. Everything, means Everything.

I made this crystal clear in my original post. I am well aware of the nuclear option.

If the dems and jeffords stand together and Frist "goes nuclear", the Republicans face a meltdown and backlash like they've never seen. Fire up the fascist base? NOTHING compared to what it will do to the American base!

There is ALWAYS something we can do. There is always something we can call on our representatives to do.

[John Q. Citizen]

19. Actually, according to the rules of the Senate, it takes a 2/3 vote to

change the rules of the Senate.

[bigjohn16]

21. His confirmation could affect 150 million women in this country...

... I'd say this is a little more then a "feel good battle."

[pat_k]

24. Hear, Hear! -- and, as I noted in post #20. . .

. . . far more is at stake than Roe.

Alito's answer to Biden is incredible.

Every time members of the Senate fail to utterly and completely rejct the irrational notion of a "unitary executive" in our constitutional democracy, they legitimize yet another of their fascist fantasies.

I have been a broken record on this in other posts, but as Dean points out, even basic truths require repetition if they are to be internalized by the public.

We do not argue "intelligent design" -- we reject it as Science.

Just as "intelligent design" has no NO PLACE in our Science Classes; their fascist fantasies (like a "unitary executive" in the United States of America) have NO PLACE in rational discourse.

We must expose their lunacy by honestly describing what they are talking about (i.e., Ever-Expanding, Un-American, Un-Constitutional, Dictatorial Powers the Bush Syndicate claims allows them to commit any crime with impunity -- torturing, spying, and terrorizing the American people with the most colossal bomb threat in history: Mushroom Clouds over our cities in 45 minutes – just to name a few.)

[radio4progressives]

10. K&R & BK'd Great Post!

:kick: :applause:

[pat_k]

27. Thanks! Just need one more Rec! (shameless self-promotion) n/t

[debbierlus]

30. Keep up relentless pressure.

I won't give up on the dems, until they give up on me.

They give up, if they don't filibuster Alito.

If they don't, then I will take it from there!

[pat_k]

32. That's the spirit!! . . .

There are no Defeats, just new stages of the campaign to restore legitimate authority.

We HAVE gotten through to many of them. More stand up with each challenge. As long as we keep challenging their rationalizations for inaction, we are moving forward. When you boil it down, their rationalizations for sitting on their hands are basically the same, no matter what the specifics of the fight.

In the aftermath if a specific fight, whatever the outcome, we can call and visit any "leader" who failed to recognize their duty. We can enter a dialog, find out WHY they didn't act, and challenge invalid reasons -- and increase the chances they will act next time.

[LittleClarkie]

37. Four, as I replied to your post in the Kerry thread, thus:

One vote for cloture is pretty meaningless as well if pressure is not put on other Senators to do likewise. So one Senator can look good, meanwhile Alito still gets in.

So there is another option.

Because my original reply was in the Kerry thread, I'll use him as an example:

Kerry will vote no on cloture.

Kerry will vote no on the nomination itself.

But through his petition he is ALSO putting pressure on his fellow Senators to act.

There is acting for oneself, which is all you're asking for. Big deal. Alito still gets in. We vote the rascals out, but Alito still gets in.

So, a Senator can act for himself, and pressure others as well.

Do you want to help him do that, or don't you?

It's simple.

Sign the petition.

Or don't sign the petition.

The petition is sort of like chicken soup for the country. It might help. It can't hurt.

Choice is yours.

Pardon me if this is what you meant in the first place.

[pat_k]

39. We challenge each Senator, and thus pressure them all.

When I say "Get Out" -- that is a reference to any individual Senator who opposes the filibuster, and then makes a sham vote against the confirmation. Any individual Senator who does that is a weasel we do not need.

As far as pressuring others, many contacts with many Senators in which poeple issue the same challenge, creates a "buzz." (and you might be surprised at how rapidly that "buzz" is created). If any Senator has the courage to tell the truth -- that opposing the Filibuster AND Opposing Alito on the Floor is the hypocrites way out and morally indefensible -- that would certainly put pressure on others.

Sure, each call/fax/telegram/visit is aimed at one Senator. The message is for their ears (or the ears of staff who advise them). But, seeking a public declaration (which is included in the challenge I suggest) is certainly not a call to take individual, secret, action. (Perhaps you didn’t note that I suggested we call for them to make a public declaration of their commitment?)

If Kerry created a petition that announced his commitment to doing everything in his power to Block Alito (not simply vote against confirmation), and called on us to sign and let the other members of the Senate know that we expect them to join him, it would spread like wildfire. It would not surprise me if such a petition would far surpass the numbers Conyers got on the Downing Street letter. (And it is not too late for Kerry to create such a petition.)

If, ultimately, only one Senator voted against ending debate, at least that one would not be complicit with the result.

Everyone in the Beltway - and I mean everyone, including Conyers staff -- told us (usually with derision) that we would never get a Senator. So much for conventional wisdom. Senator Barbara Boxer stood alone, but the contrast to January 6th, 2001 couldn't be starker. Having one member of the Senate who is not complicit in the Stolen Election is monumental. Efforts of people across the country made the impossible possible. She has paved the way to a very different result on January 6th, 2009. I know we will get through to many other members of the Senate (we have many months to work on them – january6th.org).

[LittleClarkie]

40. If you looked at his petition, you would see that it's addressed to

his fellow Senators.

Hence, that's what I think the purpose of the petition is, to pressure them.

Chicken soup. Can't hurt, might help.

[pat_k]

41. He Calls on them to Vote Against Confirmation -- Not to Filibuster

You seem to be under the impression I didn't sign. I did. I take what I can get. It is better then nothing, but not enough to be truly effective. (the old joke comes to mind: As Democrats once again stop short, Republicans sigh with relief and chuckle "Gee, for a minute there, I thought they would actually do something!")

Signing the petition doesn't mean I think it's enough. It is not. He stopped short of declaring his intention to take effective action.

He declared his intention to make a "protest vote."

He did not clearly declare his commitment a Filibuster (or what would have been even better, his commitment take the lead in the fight to make it happen).

We have a report that a staffer said he did support a Filibuster, but if that is the case, he should be honest and make a public commitment in his petition.

[John Q. Citizen]

43. I disagree about a public statement. That might make us feel good,

but this is about winning (ie keeping Alito off the bench, or doing everything possibe to acheive that.)

By not telegraphing their intension to the Repubs, it takes away the target for the Repos.

I think they are going to filibuster, but I don't believe they should annouce it before hand.

They should wait for the Republicans to ask for cloture (a floor vote) and then vote down cloture and just keep debating. After a while it will become apparent they are filibustering.

[pat_k]

44. Not so sure. . .

Looking for them to come on strong in public has very little to do with making us feel good. We'll feel good and be strengthened if they take a stand -- whether they do it today, or when the cloture vote is called.

The real problem is that the whole "keep your powder dry" notion comes from a belief in weakness. ("They'll call us names, so we better not say anything. Just tip toe around them." -- Behaving like a battered wife does not garner respect. The truth is, "they" call the Dems names no matter what the Dems do, so why CONFIRM the labels of weak and ineffectual by being weak and ineffectual?).

When you believe you are weak, you are weak -- your behavior confirms it. It is apparent to observers. You are viewed with disdain.

Coming on strong, telling the truth, and drawing a line, demonstrates strength. Strength -- all by itself -- attracts support. As Clinton pointed out at the Democratic Convention, Americans will always choose strong and wrong, over weak and right, any day.

And strong and right is unbeatable.

If they stand up now, they would have more support when they did filibuster. If they choose to "just do it" that's fine with me, as long as they DO IT. You can turn disdain to respect overnight (thank goodness -- they really can turn their image around overnight). That will not stop me from calling on them to show strength and conviction, today, by making a public statement.

[John Q. Citizen]

45. I disagree. I think saying "Bring it on" is a mistake. But in any case,

I do believe they will filibuster. With the one defection of Nelson from Nebraska, not one Dem has indicted they will support the nomination, and this discipline in the party is a good sign.

Sen. Bird is speaking now, talking about the mining disasters, laying the ground work for tying big business friendly Alito to the problems that led to the deaths.

The Dems are laying the groundwork to filibuster, I believe, and this is important. Just saying bring it on and not being able to back it up with public support won't stop Alito.

Action always speak louder than words.

[pat_k]

46. I have not suggested they "Just saying bring it on. . .

. . .without being able to "back it up with public support."

I am pointing out that standing up and telling the truth CREATES public support. Part of telling the truth is telling America that they believe the man must be stopped. You cannot make an honest case against him as a threat to the most basic tenets that Americans hold dear and have codified in the Constitution we established for these United States, without concluding "And I for one will do everything in my power to keep him off the court."

Stopping short of that fails to show true conviction. And Americans disdain those who do not put their money where their mouth is.