The Media Industrial Complex is trying to force the Alito nomination.

[shance]

They are pressuring, forcing and daring the Democrats to vote against this painfully prejudiced nomination.

That is why it is so important for us to talk the truth about all that is being done around this appointment.

It is being used by the wealthy white male establishment as their propaganda megaphone.

This is clearly intentional. It was the same with Judge Roberts. Its even more aggressive and mean-spirited and "thuggish" with Justice Alito.

[0rganism]

1. Just wait until Stevens is replaced

Then you'll see some wicked shit that makes this stinkfest seem like a happy stroll in the park.

[Neecy]

2. that's been in the back of my mind all week...

[AX10]

4. Total War.

That's what will happen. The Democrats need the Senate back this Fall, no questions.

[0rganism]

6. Dems take back the Senate? Good freakin' luck with that one

There are 33 Senators up in November, and you're looking for a net gain of 6 seats.

Which 6 of these republicans are we going to unseat?

1. Arizona - John Kyl
2. Indiana - Dick Lugar
3. Maine - Olympia Snowe
4. Montana - Conrad Burns
5. Mississippi - Trent Lott
6. Missouri - Jim Talent
7. Nevada - John Ensign
8. Ohio - Mike DeWine
9. Pennsylvania - Rick Santorum
10. Rhode Island - Lincoln Chafee
11. Tennessee - open race, since Frist isn't running, but it's Tennessee...
12. Texas - Kay Bailey Hutchison
13. Utah - Orrin Hatch
14. Virginia - George Allen
15. Wyoming - Craig Thomas

In addition, we'd have to retain ALL incumbent Dems (including Byrd and both Nelsons) AND hold the following open slots:
1. Maryland - Sarbanes retires (bummer, he was a decent senator)
2. Minnesota - Dayton retires (this is a major nailbiter)
3. Vermont - Jeffords retires (Indy, but caucuses Dem)

The smart money isn't betting on a Dem senate majority in 2007.

[AX10]

7. Listen up:

Minnesota is the only seat we are in danger of losing.

Maryland and Vermont are safe.

1. Arizona - John Kyl 1(possible pickup)
2. Indiana - Dick Lugar
3. Maine - Olympia Snowe
4. Montana - Conrad Burns 2(likely pickup)
5. Mississippi - Trent Lott
6. Missouri - Jim Talent 3(likely pickup)
7. Nevada - John Ensign
8. Ohio - Mike DeWine 4(pickup)
9. Pennsylvania - Rick Santorum 5(pickup)
10. Rhode Island - Lincoln Chafee 6(pickup)
11. Tennessee - open race, since Frist isn't running, but it's Tennessee... 7(possible pickup)
12. Texas - Kay Bailey Hutchison
13. Utah - Orrin Hatch
14. Virginia - George Allen
15. Wyoming - Craig Thomas

[0rganism]

15. That would be a beautiful thing

Unfortunately, we live in ugly times.

> Minnesota is the only seat we are in danger of losing.
> Maryland and Vermont are safe.

Minnesota is a very real problem. How they went so quickly from Wellstone to Coleman terrifies me.
Vermont is not safe, although it's unlikely that a hardcore conservative could win there.
Maryland is the probably the safest of the three.

> 1. Arizona - John Kyl 1(possible pickup)
agree - this one is possible, but barely

> 2. Indiana - Dick Lugar
not even close

> 3. Maine - Olympia Snowe
Strangely enough, I think this one is possible IF Olympia votes to confirm Alito

> 4. Montana - Conrad Burns 2(likely pickup)
No, campaign hasn't started yet and Burns still leads both announced Dems by more than 10 points.

> 5. Mississippi - Trent Lott
No

> 6. Missouri - Jim Talent 3(likely pickup)
How do you figure this as "likely"?

> 7. Nevada - John Ensign
Possible, but difficult

> 8. Ohio - Mike DeWine 4(pickup)
Ohio is far too corrupt to count on this one, even if more people vote for the Dem.

> 9. Pennsylvania - Rick Santorum 5(pickup)
Ricky has a real fight on his hands, but it's far from a sure thing for the Dems.

> 10. Rhode Island - Lincoln Chafee 6(pickup)
Possible

> 11. Tennessee - open race, since Frist isn't running, but it's Tennessee... 7(possible pickup)
Agreed, but this is a long shot due to the serious theofascist tendencies of the majority

> 12. Texas - Kay Bailey Hutchison
Unlikely at best

> 13. Utah - Orrin Hatch
No

> 14. Virginia - George Allen
Only if Gov. Warner runs against him

> 15. Wyoming - Craig Thomas
Snowballs in hell last longer than Democrats in Wyoming

Out of these 15, I see between 3 and 5 gains for the Dems.

Unfortunately, there are some vulnerable Democratic incumbents too.

[applegrove]

3. Is it wishful thinking if I say - maybe the media thinks there is no

chance of stopping this and they want to get back to covering Abramoff?

I know.. polyannna!

:yoiks:

[shance]

5. Seems to me they take orders from the boys at the top.

Who seem to be promoting a racist, misogynistic person who doesn't have the guts to stand up to the White House and those priveleged men who are taking this country so far to the right we are headed over to the cliff.

[AndyTiedye]

8. The Media Works for THEM. Always.

[populistdriven]

9. The people have the power!!!

[shance]

13. We do have the power. Its time to realize we are all connected.

n/t

[the_spectator]

10. No, the Republicans were just exceptionally LUCKY yesterday.

So we're going through another one of these wierd, important, but usually dry-as-dust Scotus Confirmation Hearings. These stylized, static ceremonies that usually run as pure ceremonial, unless Something Happens.

And yesterday, the Democrats tried to bring their own drama. CAP, CAP, CAP. Read the racist articles of the newletter to him. Then - ta da - Kennedy demands a subpoena! I demand to see William Rusher's personal papers! Into executive session! And Kennedy is thinking, either we find something devastating about Alito, or at least we Shut It Down with, as Kennedy himself said, "And if I’m going to be denied that, I’d want to give notice to the Chair that you're going to have it again and again and again. And we're going to have votes of this committee again and again and again, until we have a resolution."

Kennedy WAS trying to "Shut It Down."

But Specter got testy. Got his precious Chairman of Committee feathers ruffled. Dismissed Kennedy's demands. Quickly made a few phone calls, Rusher willingly gives access to his papers (no need for Subpoenas and Executive Sessions and voting "again and again and again" ever so dramatically.) Oh and by the way there were no fish to be caught in that particular pond, Alito by chance isn't really in the papers.

And then Lindsey Graham asks "Are you a closet bigot?" Brings his own drama, in the tone of exasperated moral indignation with which he has had great practice as a House Judiciary "Impeachment '98" alum. Notices Mrs. Alito starting to lose it. And dials up his best Kevin Nealon / Barbara Walters / Make Someone Cry impression. And hits the jackpot.

It was just One Of Those Days. I say, come to closure, forget about Justice Alito, and move on. There's nothing better to do in situations like this one.

[EFerrari]

12. Luck had nothing to do with it.

Do you believe the same party who stole two federal elections is going to rely on LUCK after they worked for 40 YEARS for this nomination?

[shance]

14. Luck means owning the media so you never have to say youre sorry.

:)

[EFerrari]

11. Did you see this about the SwiftBoat Liars and Mrs. Scalito?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=123140&mesg_id=123140