Filibuster Confirmed

[sandnsea]

I just called the press office, first time I've ever done that, yikes, and they don't know anything about this story. I'm waiting for further clarification through email, but we can't let this story get out of hand before we know more.

Okay, heres the update:

Hey Sandy—

Yes, Kerry would vote no on cloture (i.e. support a filibuster) – so that’s correct.

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks!

Amy

[babylonsister]

1. I've been googling 'News'; nada there either. nt

[ProSense]

4. This is the only thing I found other than the quote from yesterday.

Kerry Entering Alito Opposition Into Congressional Record
By Cedwyn
01/23/2006 04:15:45 PM EST
Keywords: John Kerry, Samuel Alito, Supreme Court

http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2006/1/23/161545/608

[Blaukraut]

2. This is how rumors start

because of threads like the one in GDP. If it turns out to be wrong, what do you want to bet that we'll see posts blaming JK for 'backing down' etc. Ugh. I have my doubts about this whole story. Besides, a staffer answering the phone would be the last person privy to such delicate info.

[Der Blaue Engel]

16. You know what's really going to piss me off

is that we'll have a very strong standing from our dems, no matter what, but if it isn't 100% support, the GD GD will attack the entire Democratic Congress like a pack of raging, rabid dogs. And I'm ready to go in and slap the crap out of anyone who does, cuz I've just about had it.

[ProSense]

3. You're right

It could be someone pulling a stunt to try to set Kerry up. The bottom line is, if six Democrats defect, the filibuster cannot happen without a Republican support. Are my numbers right:

44 - 6 = 38 + 1 (Ind) = 39?

[sandnsea]

5. 40 or 41?

I really don't know. But yeah, those numbers are we've got to deal with and I'm not getting the impression we've got any Republicans at all on this. Jeffords is voting no, I think I heard, but not sure on filibuster. I would be shocked if we got enough votes to filibuster.

[kerrygoddess]

6. They need 41 (oops)

Durbin said the other day that had the votes but if 5 Senators say "NO" to a filibuster it won't happen.

"We have 45 Democrats, counting Jim Jeffords, on our side. We could sustain a filibuster if 41 senators … are willing to stand and fight.”

"But Durbin explained the process of reaching the decision on a filibuster as critical “when five senators have said they oppose a filibuster, it’s off the table. It’s not going to happen. But if it doesn’t reach that moment, then we’ll sit down and have that conversation.” - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1711


Someone (as told by mulitple sources) is tallying the support for it, but they are keeping a lid on whether they will do it.

[rox63]

9. One Dem has already said he supports Alito

Ben Nelson of Nebraska said he'll vote yes on Alito. So you can count him out. :puke:

[babylonsister]

10. That's really the only one I've heard for certain.

There are rumors some repugs won't vote for him, i.e., Chafee, perhaps Specter?
I don't know about Lieberman.
There's still hope!

[ray of light]

12. I thought Leiberman said no to Alito.

[babylonsister]

13. I think he did, but he's so damned wishy-washy, I don't

trust him.

[sandnsea]

14. That's not no to cloture though

I'd be surprised if Lieberman voted to filibuster. But you never know.

[_dynamicdems]

29. Everybody should call his office and bitch him out. n/t

[babylonsister]

7. OH, HAPPY DAY! I hope he gets the ball rolling!

:woohoo:

[ProSense]

8. Thank you! n/t

[beachmom]

11. Hey MH1 -- should you do an update of your dKos diary saying that he

is voting for filibuster? Does this make it more than a rumor or do you think you should leave it with the comment you already made?

[MH1]

18. Well, I've started giving my honest opinion.

C'mon, if there's a chance of a filibuster, KERRY won't be the one to stop it. I believe that to my core and that's what I'm posting - as my opinion. I'm sure he'll vote No on cloture if it's even close.

There's an interesting diary about Feingold's position. HE'S the one they should all be concerned about. I noted that in my comment, too.

[kerrygoddess]

15. No confirmation that a filibuster will happen

Word I have gotten is JK will vote to filibuster but who will lead has not been determined.

I think it looks good that it will happen but as I was told, they "don't wanna raise expectations while vote counting is happening."

[beachmom]

17. Thanks, KG -- that's why I was asking MH1 here and not on a

front page diary on dKos. This is all indeed getting very interesting . . .

[Mass]

19. This is why I was worried in the other thread.

I assumed that Kerry would follow a filibuster if there was one. The real big question is to know whether there will be one.

Of course, you can be sure that, if there is none, it will be Kerry's fault (and this post on GD raising expectations does not help).

I think they should ask for a cloture vote even if they do not have the vote to block it, just to show those who are serious with this issue. However, it did not seem this way according to the media.

[sandnsea]

20. I see, my apologies

I had originally posted that the Kerry filibuster posts in GD were not confirmed and that people should hold off in saying anything about them. I called the office and they confirmed that Kerry would vote for filibuster. I can see where some people who came in much later could misinterpret the subject line of this thread. But anyone who had followed the GD and GDP threads knew they were referring to a call from Kerry's office stating that he would support the filibuster. Which is exactly what the email that I posted said. So other than taking THIS thread subject ver batim, there really shouldn't be any other confusion except for what some people are stirring up in order to bash Kerry for not leading the filibuster.

[MH1]

21. Kg (or anyone) - didn't Kerry ask for comments on Alito before this?

I really thought he did, but didn't turn up an email when I went back through my files.

There's a troll on my dailykos thread saying that JK is only now getting involved. Of course he isn't on Judiciary so it might have been inappropriate for him to get too involved earlier, but I did think he had something out earlier.

(Guess I could search Dem Daily. Asking you is probably quicker and more reliable though. ;-) )

[Mass]

22. I dont think he did - He is not on the Judiciary Committee and

was out of the country until Friday. So there is nothing surprising there, IMHO.

[MH1]

26. No, I agree.

But I just thought I remembered seeing something. Maybe I am getting Alito confused with Roberts. Sigh.

[globalvillage]

23. 'Troll' ?

I had a different word in mind. Actually, I have a list.

[MH1]

25. Hee hee.

I have a list too. I was trying to be nice.

[kerrygoddess]

28. Not that I recall

I do think he put out a statement when he was first nominated. It should be on Dem Daily - I have to take my teen somewhere can't look right now. Will be back in an hour or so.

[babylonsister]

24. OK, so how long does it take to count these bloody votes,

and why can't/haven't people made up their minds?:banghead:

[MH1]

27. I really can't see how any "Democrat"

could vote Yes on Alito, given his record.

And from there I don't see why they should vote Yes on cloture, if * has nominated somebody to sit on the court for 30 years (plus) that half the country doesn't want, even with the lapdog media we have.

I'm with you. What part of NO don't these people understand?

[kerrygoddess]

30. I get the sense

that they will not make it public until the last minute. There is a lot on the table with the threat of nuclear option as well.

[WildEyedLiberal]

31. Yeah that's how I sense it

I think our most important task as citizens right now is to a) forward JK's email to everyone we know - I'd LOVE to see one million signatures; and b) email (or call, for those of you who are constituents) the "gang of 14" and any other Dems who might be on the fence about cloture and urge them to vote no. Every little drop...

[kerrygoddess]

32. It's better for them

to keep it hush, actually. I'm sure the 'pubs know something is up, but the less they know the better. One thing I do anticipate tomorrow is fiery day on the Senate floor!