Official Alito Committee hearing thread

[Viva_La_Revolution]

On CSPAN now!

[Coexist]

1. Here we go.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

My stomach is all in knots...

I'm afraid this is going to be a rough ride. :(

[Sydnie]

2. Just tuned in - they voted already?

Is that what is on the left side of the screen? I thought they were going to do 10 minutes speeches first.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. Nope.. the sidebar shows

the 14 that have already anounced their votes... a few left to announce

[Sydnie]

5. oh, I get it - thanks n/t

[cali]

3. I think we will see

hints and forecasts re a filibuster.

[Coexist]

6. this is the committee - it goes to the floor tomorrow.

It is expected to be 10-6 in favor of Alito today.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

7. am I counting wrong? I thought there are 18 on the committee?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. There's the gavel.

[Wordie]

18. There are 10 Republicans and 8 Democrats. (That's the problem, Dems

are outnumbered.)

[SunDrop23]

37. It's a done deal. Maybe we'll get to see the misses cry again.

[Coexist]

9. LOL Yes, you are right.

My bad.

:dunce:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

16. s'okay! I'm a little slow this morning myself

I'm on my first cup o' joe, and I had friends over last night...I do believe I'm a leeettle hung over. :hangover:

[Sydnie]

There are 18 n/t

[cali]

28. Let me repeat:

I think we will see hints and forecasts. I'm aware that this is a committee vote. I know that it will go down 10-8, but they each have 10 minutes to speak. I think we'll possibly be able to read between the lines of the dem Senators.

[stop_the_madness]

10. Voting Tomorrow?

[Coexist]

12. it goes to the floor of the Senate tomorrow.

Frist won't allow debate.

I love living in a healthy democracy, don't you?!

[Horse with no Name]

31. "Frist won't allow debate"

Someone tell me why this criminal hasn't come up for trial yet?
Perhaps so that he wouldn't be allowed to hold debate on such an important issue?

[Sydnie]

52. I hope Leahy places his previous speech in the record when

they get to the full floor. His speech the other day was wonderful, even if Frist did keep it off the floor the other day.

[Dinger]

53. What's Up Cat Killer Being Investigated? (HCA)

That sure as hell got quiet, didn't it?

[Sydnie]

56. Yes it did but Slaughter kicked it up a notch with the discussion

of day traders in his and Delay's office. Hope it is still marching forward!

[Wordie]

20. Welcome to DU, stop_the_madness!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Debate moves to the floor tomorrow.

Vote towards the end of the week.

Judiciary committee will be focusing on the Patriot Act.

[stop_the_madness]

13. oh ok

not too good on the whole govnt thing

[Sydnie]

14. I heard the rumor that Frist wasn't going to allow any debate on the

floor at all. Can he do that?

[Coexist]

21. Not a rumor - see link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/01/19/frist-not-allowing-senato_n_14083.html

[Sydnie]

25. I saw that speech - I thought they meant that they

wouldn't allow any debate before the offical vote, after he gets out of committee.

[cali]

32. Correct

Frist barred speech on Alito before the committee vote, not after it.

[Sydnie]

36. Good, I was wondering how he thought he was going to pull it

off AFTER the committee votes. Nothing would surprise me though.

[Spazito]

67. He didn't allow debate before the 25th, tomorrow

The Senators, I believe, will be able to speak on Alito tomorrow before the vote is taken.

"But Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist would not allow any time for speeches until January 25, a day after the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on Alito's nomination."

[Wordie]

15. Does Sen. Ben Nelson even *understand* the idea of the "unitary executive"

and "signing statements"? He didn't appear to when asked a question by C-Span, just before the hearing started. Maybe someone needs to explain these to him better.

[Sydnie]

22. Alito told him what he wanted to hear - so he believes him

What I don't get is ... why he would believe anyone that is part of the blivet** administration's recommendation! Can't he see how they lie to get what they want. Tell you one thing and do another. We need to get them to remind Nelson of the issues brought out about Thomas - what he said dujring his hearings and then what he actually DID once confirmed.

Wake the hell up Nelson!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

23. I don't think he does...

Anyone who's claiming to support Alito either doesn't understand, or agrees with the concept. Either reason is very scary. :scared:

[Wordie]

35. Yet he spoke out against judges who "legislate from the bench"!

He doesn't seem to realize that Alito's support of the "unitary executive" and even more so, his support of "signing statements," means that Alito is likely to legislate from the bench!

Somebody needs to explain these things to him!!!

[Sydnie]

17. Specter seems distracted this morning

Having trouble completing a sentence or thought. Is it just me or does anyone else see that too?

[Coexist]

19. You are right, he seems very distracted.

Leahy Up!

[stop_the_madness]

24. chemotherapy? n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

29. He's done with that - as you can see by the fine head of hair he's growing

:)

[Mist]

38. At least his face has filled out a bit--looked pretty bad a couple of

weeks ago.

[Lars39]

60. Chemo-brain.

Chemo-fog. That stuff can really do a number on memory, speech.

[Coexist]

26. "most committees in the Senate won't hold hearings because

of pressure from the White House"

[Sydnie]

27. Isn't the whole asbestos thing to protect Halliburton?

Isn't that why blivet** used that case in the campaign?

[stop_the_madness]

30. Spector YES

[Sydnie]

34. He already stated that at the end of the hearings before

Will vote to get him out of committee, but has not announced how he would vote in the full senate.

[gumby]

33. Specter is a fraud.

His "moderate" and "pro-choice" labels have been shown to be fake.

[Sydnie]

40. I don't think his pro-choice support is fake - I think the GOP

has his balls in a vice. Remember, he had to do some high stepping to get this chairmanship after the comments he made right after the 2004 election about roe. They had "pray-in's" to pressure the repugs into NOT giving him that position unless he took back his statements.

He is between a rock and a hard place. He promised his district to support choice and they won't let him forget it.

[gumby]

50. Ha!

His pro-choice stance is directly connected to the condition of his balls. My point exactly! :7

[marions ghost]

92. Must be why

Specter has to vote YES after giving what I thought was a pretty strong speech AGAINST the nomination.

[Sydnie]

99. He said that right in the record

that he had to vote yes on the committee because that was his commitment to the President and the repug caucus.

[Coexist]

39. "there are six Republicans or more who are pro-choice"

Specter

[Wordie]

41. Leahy: President pledged to be a "uniter not a divider" - many other

possible nominees that would have the support of the entire country.

Great! Great points! Yeah, Leahy!

Wow! ...and he didn't stop there!
"radical realignment of the court"!

"threat to checks and balances"

He's doing great!

[Sydnie]

42. Leahy gets it - loud and clear! n/t

[berner59]

44. Yes...he gets it...

This is SO about gaining more Presidential power and he's right, this is "part of the plan"...keep it up Dems!! Spector must feel stupid now - he gave such a milktoast speech...

[Wordie]

47. Oh, I hope his comments make the news - msm. People need to hear this!

His speech is perfect. He is making the case perfectly!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

43. Leahy now

stating that there are hundreds of people in the US who would have gotten 90-100 votes in the Senate, but * has picked one that sets us up against each other. (paraphrased)

This is a nominee that threatens the civil libertys of Americans now and in the future.


Ugh! my head is so fuzzy, having a hard time keeping up!

[Sydnie]

45. He is realigning 9/11 - take it back from blivet** Leahy

Keep speaking truth to these idiots for all of us!

[berner59]

46. What a closing statement...

Really giving GREAT examples of what we know of Alito... He needs to be filabustered!!!

[Wordie]

51. Leahy: The president should not be allowed to "pack the court" and

Leahy said he voted even for Reagan's nominee, Sandra Day O'Conner.

He did GREAT! No more comments about "spineless Dems," please!

[DanCa]

48. It's like watching a train wreck i know i shouldn't but...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

64. I know how you feel!

good thing we have each other to watch with. :hug:

[Sydnie]

49. "A bridge too far" Perfect!!!!!!

Perfect way to put it!

[berner59]

54. Hatch up now....

He's making the "but...but...but...we confirmed liberal judges during Dem presidents" rationale...yes Orin but those Dem Presidents weren't trying to become a dictator right in front of our eyes while you just sit back and let it happen...ass...

[Mist]

55. Hatch saying Alito qualified--but IS he? So many of his decisions

were reversed, or he ruled in a minority of one.

[Coexist]

58. And yet - he RECOMMENDED Ginsburg

http://mediamatters.org/items/200601090002

Ginsbury was no "liberal" during her confirmation hearing.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

57. Hatch is using the argument that

because Repugs voted Clinton's nominees in, we should just automatically vote in Bush's. Completely ignoring the fact that we had no worries about Ginsburg or ?...(brain-fart sorry) would give Clinton extra ordinary authority or try to take away our rights. :eyes:

[berner59]

63. Kennedy smacking Hatch back down...

Tearing up everyhting he said about Ginsburg et al... Yeah Ted...getting warmed up...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

59. Kennedy now - Give em hell!

[Coexist]

61. "the real insight into judges is their dissents"

"Bork and Ginsburg voted together 90% of the time"

[Wordie]

62. Oh-oh...Hatch. Going on about "judicial activism" and "liberal agenda"

but he doesn't understand that liberal concerns about Alito ARE about "judicial activism," just about "judicial activism" in tipping the balance of powers to the right and in supporting the expansion of presidential powers.

[Skidmore]

65. Lord, this is nerve wracking.

Watching our rights being pissed away by a bunch of power drunk fools.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

66. ...

[Coexist]

69. good points about unitary executive

"judge Alito's... views exalting executive powers also shows up in his decisions"

Well, he asked us to look at his record.

[Wordie]

68. Kennedy doing very well in laying out the case against Alito's support of

the "unitary executive."

"refuses to support core constitutional principles"

[Viva_La_Revolution]

70. Grassley now.

Isn't it amazing the difference between Dems - big words, well crafted sentences... and the Repugs.. who all seem to talk down to everyone and use little words, no substance.

[Sydnie]

72. Grassley can't even read with any meter - he reads like he is

reading something he has never seen and a subject that he doesn't understand. No flowing speech there at all.

[Wordie]

73. Grassley is WRONG!

Here's what Alito said about the unitary executive, in a DECISION! We know how he has judged!:
Judge Alito cited the unitary executive theory in criticizing the Supreme Court's decision in Morrison v. Olson, which upheld Congressional authority to restrict the Attorney General's power to fire an independent counsel investigating alleged executive branch misconduct. 487 US 654 (1988). Judge Alito stated that "under the theory of the unitary executive, the constitutionality of this Act was questionable." (Engage, at 13) This casts Constitutional doubt on all independent enforcement agencies run by officials not removable by the President such as: the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Communications Commission; the Federal Trade Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and many other agencies which the Congress determined should be independent and have enforcement authority.

[Sydnie]

71. Grassley doesn't get it at all - he is giving him a bj right there

on national TV!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

74. Biden up now

3 reasons why he is voting NO

1 Unitary Executive
2 role of congress
3 discrimination rulings

[Viva_La_Revolution]

79. Quoting what MLK wrote while sitting in the Birmingham jail..

To bring home point 3. :)

[Coexist]

75. Ok Biden - time to redeem yourself

can he do it?!

[Sydnie]

76. It's a start - he left his cap at home!

:rofl:

[qanda]

77. ....

:spray:

[Wordie]

78. Biden doing great on making case that Alito is an "activist judge"

[Coexist]

80. Addressing prejudice "now its more subtle"

"my examination of justice Alito's records, shows he doesn't look in the shadows".

[savemefromdumbya]

81. Are we missing some senators?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

85. They are all supposed to speak, from what I understand...

like the hearings, where they came in and out, tending to other business in between. :shrug:

[Sydnie]

82. When the hell was he ever a constitutional expert?

:wtf: is that supposed to even mean? Has he written text books on the constitution? That would be a constitutional expert to me!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

83. Kyl up now

I really may :puke:

"It's impossible for anyone here to say that Alito should not be confirmed"

[Wordie]

88. Kyl said that opposition to Alito was a partisan thing....yuck.

[Catchawave]

84. Were we expecting any surprises?

It's going right down party lines.

I'm happy with the Dems though.

[Cocoa]

95. I predict Lindsey Graham will pull a surprise reversal

launch a vitriolic attack against Alito and an even more profane tirade against Mrs. Alito.

[Sydnie]

98. I want some of what ever you are smoking then

so I can think that way too. :shrug:

[gumby]

86. Are Repub senators born with defective ears

that preclude them from understanding our native language, or are they just Monumental LIARS?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

87. Kohl now

[Wordie]

89. The Dems are doing an *excellent* job in making the case.

I don't understand what comes next. They are all making opening statements, but what happens after that?

[Sydnie]

91. they cast their vote to take him out of committee to the full Senate

for debate and vote there.

[Wordie]

101. Yes, but will there be more debate? C-Span said it would take 3 hours.

And we've gone thru more than half of the Senators in less than an hour now. So I was just wondering if there would be additional debate before the vote.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

93. Official committee vote...

Which sends the nomination to the Senate floor for debate (tomorrow).

[quiet.american]

90. Please vote these "official" threads to the Greatest Page early on.

Even with doing a search, it didn't come up. It's gets kind of buried. :)

[Coexist]

97. it may also be time for Thread #2 for dial-up users.

Just a thought.

[quiet.american]

102. I second that emotion. n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

94. DeWine now

"I was impressed as soon as I met him"

must have a low threshold.

[Sydnie]

96. DeWine would be great at speed dating then!

8 minutes and I knew it was looooooove! :puke:

[quiet.american]

100. By all accounts, Alito is all talk. And talk is cheap.

He says the "right" things, and then proceeds to preside over cases in a way which borders on sociopathy.

[Coexist]

103. Here is Feinstein...

"there was not a defined move to move the court in a certain direction"

[Viva_La_Revolution]

104. Thread 2 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x225270

[pinto]

105. Thread two is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x225270