Official Alito Committee Hearing thread 4

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Thread 1 http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x224640

Thread 2
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x225270

Thread 3
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x225725

[Coexist]

1. thanks!

[Coexist]

2. Ooh - dueling editorials - nana boo boo.

[Sydnie]

3. No need to go on and on Coburn, we know you suck!

He should be careful asking others to look at everyone's ethics!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. I wonder if CSPAN will have a call-in session? nt

On edit YES!

Dems 202-585-3885 Ind. 202-585-3887

[Wordie]

12. Oh jeez...first cases likely to be partial birth abortion and Texas

redistricting. So depressing.

[Surya Gayatri]

26. No offense, but that's their term...

there is no such thing as "partial birth"--either there is a birth or not. This procedure should be called what it is--late termination of pregnancy. Sorry, but I'm just sick to death of their hijacking the language. SG

[FreedomAngel82]

49. Right

I remember watching a Howard Dean campaign event and at the end of this a nurse asked Dean what he thought about "partial birth ban" (since he's a doctor too and his wife) and he said he thought it was nonsense and in 2004 in his home state not one woman had it done in that year. It's just something to get at the fundie voters who think they care about Roe v Wade and abortion.

[Wordie]

53. Good point. I stand corrected. Thank you.

[Surya Gayatri]

59. Just part of my campaign

to TAKE BACK THE TERMS & RECLAIM THE RHETORIC!!! :hi: SG

[helderheid]

5. okay, what happens next??

[Sydnie]

8. It goes to the full Senate for a vote beginning tomorrow n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

18. Debate on the floor is scheduled for Wed-Fri...oh my

I'm not going to get a damn thing done this whole week!

[mb7588a]

6. haha. nice exchange:

Leahy: "Alright, Arlen!"
Specter; "Ok, Patrick."

Priceless.

[dogday]

7. At least the Dems stayed true to form

and they all voted no together. Maybe they will stick this one out.

[helderheid]

9. I hate to be so ignorant, but can they still filibuster?

[Sydnie]

11. Yes, the place to fillibuster is on the senate floor

not in committee.

[helderheid]

13. thanks!

:blush:

[Sydnie]

16. You're welcome

I am there with you quite often ... having to ask what has happened or what is about to happen. No shame in not knowing ... shame is in not asking. :hug:

[Surya Gayatri]

17. YES!! YES!! YES!!

The big fight is yet to come--this was a foregone conclusion, as Repubs outnumber Dems. Everything is still in play!!! Keep up calling, faxing and agitating!!!

[helderheid]

21. :)

:thumbsup:

[FreedomAngel82]

50. I can't wait for it either

I can't wait for Kerry to get up there. He always does so well. :) I hope he uses his petition in his fight. Did everyone sign it? If not go to johnkerry.com and sign it!

[Surya Gayatri]

61. Why don't you post that over on "Latest"?

Keep it going--kick it from here to kingdom come!!! :kick: :kick: :kick:

[Surya Gayatri]

10. Committee approves nomination for passage

to Senate floor. Straight partisan vote--Repubs "Aye", Dems "Nay".

[Sydnie]

We need to keep working on Specter

He is still in play on the Senate side of this vote.

[Wordie]

22. I agree. But the approach needs to be "judicial activism" and not

abortion, imho. He has repeatedly expressed concerns about the issue of judges over-ruling the laws that the Congress passes. That is an issue he is more likely to be able to use in any opposition to Alito that he may feel. He's already gotten burned on the abortion issue - almost lost the Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee over it.

That said, I think Specter changing his vote is a long shot.

[Sydnie]

27. Did you hear his speech at the end of the questioning portion

of the hearing? He said he would vote him out of committee because he was committed to that to the president and to the repug caucus, but his floor vote would be up to his independent choice.

He is in play. He promised his district that he would support choice. He is at the cliff. He either jumps or he backs off. Either way, he is not up for re-election until 2010. He will be a kick ball for the next 6 years!

[Wordie]

44. I didn't hear that, but I've watched him on the Sun. AM political shows

and he seems a lot different than your average Repub to me. I'm glad to hear he said that. I've contacted him numerous times using the executive powers argument and will continue to do so now. Thanks for the info.

[Surya Gayatri]

48. Totally agree, I think

Specter is genuinely concerned about *'s abuse of power--and is still lucid enough to see the danger Alito represents for its extension.

[Surya Gayatri]

54. Don't forget that he's a very sick man--and I think

he's beginning seriously to consider the legacy he'll leave behind. Maybe his concerns for the survival of Constitutional Democracy will trump his partisanship. SG

[kiteinthewind]

23. I thinks so, too. Let's call, be respectful, and plead to his sense of

justice (I'ts worth a try!) And I heard Nelson from NE is voting YES!! Everyone, call him and ask him to filibuster!!! Who else is not committed yet?

Nelson (NE) [phone]
Specter (PA) [phone]

:dem:

[Wordie]

25. Nelson needs someone with gravitas and authority to explain to him about

the unitary executive and signing statements. It was pretty clear from his comments this morning on C-Span that he really doesn't understand their implications. The Dems need to send someone to talk to him personally that he would respect, and who could explain these things to him.

He has already announced that he will vote to confirm. At this point, I think it is only a fellow Dem (probably a relatively conservative one) who could be likely to convince him to change his mind. After all, I'm just this middle aged person sitting watching C-Span in my PJs. He needs somebody who he would respect to talk to him about these things, not me (although I've sent him two letters already).

Does any DUer actually know a Senate Dem? I think they should really consider talking to him. Not on partisan issues, but solely on the issue of Alito's propensity to be an "activist judge" who will expand presidential powers by wrong-headed interpretations of the Constitution.

[kiteinthewind]

55. We need to get this voted up and put out a plea

to anyone who "knows" a Senate Dem!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x26435
:)

[Wordie]

60. On your suggestion, I posted my comment to that thread. It's a huge

longshot that anyone could convince him, since he has come out publicly with his intent to vote "Yes," but it couldn't hurt to try, imho.

[kiteinthewind]

63. I hate to sound like a CT, but does he have something in his "closet" that

the Repugs could be holding over him??? Have you read the Gunderson Report?
:tinfoilhat:

[Surya Gayatri]

58. IMHO, I think Sen. Nelson of NE

is a lost cause. He's up for re-election in Nov. in the 5th or 6th reddest state in the Union. Dems in NE are a strange hybrid. In order to get elected they have to be violet-hued and play to their "BUY-BULL BELT BASE"--which means being anti-choice, pro-prayer, anti-gay & pro-war. Strange creatures. (I speak as a former Nebraskan). SG

[Surya Gayatri]

64. Alert, Alert, Alert!!

Nelson of Nebraska on C-span now saying he puts people ahead of party--that's why he's voting "Yes", for his constituents in NE.

Caller just asked him why he doesn't change parties then--that Dems must stand together to oppose this criminal regime.

Now saying SCOTUS appointment will not affect his Senate race in Nov. My left foot!!

[Surya Gayatri]

36. Yes, get on his case...

His base is pro-choice--he votes for an anti-choice judge & he's in trouble.

[FreedomAngel82]

52. I hope so

The group he is apart of, Republican Majority or whatever, which is a group that's pro-choice republicans and they all came out against Alito and Specter is apart of this group. He'd be a hypocrite quite frankly if he votes for him any way. :mad: He's helping to overturn Roe v Wade and that's unforgivable. Much more then the "magic bullet" theory he craped out.

[savemefromdumbya]

call in 1-202-585 3885

[helderheid]

15. or 3886.... hehehe Kidding!

;)nudge nudge wink wink :P

[savemefromdumbya]

42. might get through quicker

[bettyellen]

14. C-Span Call in phone numbers here:

202 585 3885 Democrats
202 585 3887 Independent

[Wordie]

19. My desperate plea to Senate Dems: PLEASE filibuster!

I believe all those things you said about Alito. A filibuster is the only hope to stop this guy.

[plcdude]

20. of course I sent

Coburn a letter and it was a total waste of time see his non reply below. His point was once again a misrepresentation of Feinstein's point. She is voting no on the grounds that this candidate would try to change the constitution's right of privacy not Roe per se.

Dear Friend:

Thank you for taking the time to write me. I have received your letter and I value your input, which is why I will take the time to personally read your letter. I have a policy to read each individual letter that I receive from Oklahoma. I practiced this policy as a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District and intend to continue to do so as your U.S. Senator.

I take time to personally review each. Please allow me time to review your correspondence and make sure you receive an accurate, detailed and thoughtful response to your inquiry. I appreciate your patience as you await my response. To date, I have received over 17,000 letters, faxes, emails and phone calls. In addition to the time it takes for me to personally review and respond to each letter, mail to the U.S. Senate is delayed more than I would like due to the new security measures. However, I look forward to reading your letter and my staff is already processing it.



Sincerely,


Tom Coburn, M.D.
U.S. Senator


P.S. For time sensitive matters, please contact my office at [phone], my staff is ready and happy to help you.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

24. Statements scheduled for this afternoon...

Repugs at 1pm
Dems at 2pm

On CSPAN

[Wordie]

28. Thanks again, Viva_La_Revolution, for everything you've done, in posting

these threads and keeping us updated. Great job!

:applause:

[Sydnie]

31. I second that!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

40. Thanks. I guess it's a good time to be unemployed....

Ya know, if you all sent me 1 dollar, I could stop looking for a new job altogether!

[Sydnie]

46. If I could get scheduled for enough hours, I'd send you one!

I have been getting so few hours lately, (8 this week! imagine!) I can't keep treading water long myself.

[Surya Gayatri]

43. A big high-five for Viva

You were really on top of it-- :kick: :hug: SG


Edit: I'm partially unemployed myself--low on hours as well. Otherwise I'd ante up, too! SG

[Coexist]

29. Brit is sobbing on the phone about the 'terrible democrats'

it sounds like her husband is yelling at her in the background.

What was that?!

[dogday]

30. Oh No, Another Crier

another republican crier on C-SPAN, and her husband is yelling at her in the background to hang up... So freaking funny...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

32. RWinger is CRYING !!!

did you hear that?! THEY are being so mean!!!

:rofl:

[bettyellen]

33. this repub woman calling in is crying, LOL. she ought to be crying because

her husband can be heard in the backround yelling at her. but no, it's schumer's fault. he's "bad minded".

[annabanana]

35. sounded like Cheney in drag...

[Sydnie]

37. and Baden -- don't forget Baden

geesh! "Godly man" my ass (per the previous caller)!

[gumby]

34. Was that caller on C-Span crying ala Mrs. Alito?

Strange.

[annabanana]

38. It HAD to have been a joke

mopaul... was that you?

[Surya Gayatri]

39. Yeah, sounded like she

was off her meds.

[adigal]

47. Did you hear that wingnut???

Really literally crying about how mean the senators were to Judge Alito, and her husband screaming at her in the background??? HAHAHAHAAH!

[Sydnie]

41. we'll clean your clock!

Kiss my ass Graham!

[dogday]

45. Funny how they don't like to bring up Harriet Miers

name. They talk about fairness and yet the treated her like crap....

[Wordie]

51. He kinda undermined the claim that the Dems were being partisan by

saying that, didn't he? LOL

[rodeodance]

56. also see this for Lindsey Grahm stuff (DU thread)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=226334&mesg_id=226334

[Wordie]

57. Shumer said Alito's colleagues criticized him...

"Even more troubling is his record on 3rd Circuit--constantly criticized by his colleagues."

I need more info on that. If there are written or other statements I can quote, I'd like to say more about it in my letters. Anybody have anything?

[Sydnie]

62. Listening to Graham here in the PC

What was Meir's ABA rating? Let's hit him with that. If she was highly rated, why did they dis her?