One good thing that came out of all of this:

[babylonsister]

Senator Kerry will now get more of the respect he has always deserved on DU.
He did a wonderful job of trying to organize a filibuster; he and Kennedy were
passionate and fearless, and I for one, enjoyed sharing those feelings with
them.

[Inuca]

1. Yes, but

as we well know DU is not as representative as many would like to think it is. I don't know about the longer term implications this will have. I do NOT mean the implications will be negative, I just don't know. I also think it is quite likely that this created (or exacerbated an already existing) rift within the dem caucus, and again I do not know how it will turn out, not necessarily bad, maybe a shift for the better, but maybe also a signal of a real weakness, and lack of unity of purpose.

[karynnj]

2. I don't really think that the Democrats ever had the

lockstep mentality the Republicans have now. Even the Republicans of the past weren't like this. Remember there was a time where there were liberal Republicans and Republicans with excellent conservation records. Some of the leading anti-war people in Congress were Republican. Both parties had a very diverse list of politicians.

I really don't think this created a riff. It may simply have exposed it on an emotional issue. I think it will be emotionally significant that so many will vote against Alito - but painful too if more than 40 vote against him tomorrow. (Ensign would be 41 in terms of not voting yes)

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Look at all the polls

They favored Kerry in all the polls I saw on the filibuster. Even C-SPAN had one.

[wisteria]

6. I for one think this is good, it had to come out and it needs to be

addressed. How much longer can we go on as the party of nothing in the eyes of many Americans. Our party is suppose to be about the people-we are the party of the people, why then don't our leaders defend and stand with the people? The DLC thinks we are going to win some seats this year by keeping quite and letting the Republicans bury themselves. It remains to be seen if offering nothing different other than not being the other guy, will be effective.
What does it say of some party leaders when they are willing to chance bringing misery upon there citizens, even though they know they could have done something to stop it simply because they wanted to eventually win and could use any negative outcome against their opponent.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Yep

And more people will support him in 2008 as well. He's shown he's a true leader and can fight.

[blm]

5. I think all of this freed up Kerry. I think he knows better who he can

trust and who is out for their own gains despite what's right.