Frist trying to move the Alito vote to TOMORROW!!!!

[debbierlus]

Excerpt from the latest People of the American Way E-mail Update:

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who reportedly told Republican activists Friday that Samuel Alito was the "worst nightmare of liberal Democrats," is attempting to rush through the nomination process by bringing the nomination before the full Senate just one day after the Committee vote. This accelerated calendar makes it even more important that your senators and the Democratic leaders hear that you're counting on them to do everything possible to defeat Alito's nomination.

This means TOMORROW!

Call Senators NOW!

Fax Senators NOW!

Shut down the Senate phone lines....

TIME IS NOW!

[mom cat]

1. Got it! Thanks.

[hang a left]

2. He wants to deny the dems the opportunity to organize

and develop a strategy. KNR

[rpgamerd00d]

3. Yes, but by rushing it, he gives Dems an entirely new reason to Filibuster

If he rushes it, Dems can then get away scot-free with a Filibuster with the line, "We haven't had enough time to discuss the issue."

This is moronically stupid of Frist.

Oops, didn't mean to be redundant.

:D

[debbierlus]

5. The no votes are there - I think they will do it.

Call and thank everyone on the judiciary committee and tell them you fully stand behind a filibuster!

[liberal N proud]

4. You know what that means

They are worried about loosing more voted, rush it through before they lose any more support.

[KharmaTrain]

6. Ain't Gonna Happen

Some simple math..

Each Senator will have time to speak about the nomination. IIRC, unless Frist tries to change rules that would give Reid room to really create trouble...those Senators will have a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes each to speak. Doing the math...41 (including Ben Nelson who I'm sure will try to jive his vote) that would mean 12 to 20 hours worth of speeches...and those are just on our side.

Now Frist could ram things through a late night session, but this might not be his choice.

The ball is now in Harry Reid's court. He can delay the vote and seems like the groundwork has already been laid. There's a call for extended debate on this nomination. That would mean extra days added on and well within' Reid's right. Frist has to tread lightly or he could trigger even bigger delays. Plus, the filibuster option isn't off the table. The tone of the debate and how it's moved to the floor is going to tell a lot if this is worth using or not.

Again, seems like there aren't many poker players around here.

[quiet.american]

9. No, but I like canasta. :) n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. You are assuming that every Senator wants to speak

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Last night on The Daily Show Stewart was talking to fred Barnes

He pointed out that the Republicans control the Congress, the Senate, the Judiciary.....
Barnes interupted him to say that they don't control the Supreme.
Stewart countered that he was under the impression that the court has a majority of Republican appointees.
Barnes replied that that was correct and Stewart asked him: "Well how much do you people want?"

[AuntiBush]

11. Really.

How much do they want? How about it all.

I wouldn't want this for my fellow Republican voters, rather equality for all and an even playing-field.

And I think "most" of your average American Republican voters do not want this either. At least those in urban areas, and some rural depending on what part of the country you're in.

Trouble is, as I posted below... they don't watch truthful news at night. That's why the GOP bought & paid for them.

[AuntiBush]

8. You Know...

What is their hurry? Doesn't anyone else notice the big rush on all their nominations? It's overly obvious as to why.

But the masses don't get-it because they've got the news bunkered-down so know one knows the truth.

Sad. Simply at a loss for words.

[AbbyR]

10. I called again ...

Lincoln and Pryor, both the DC office and the local office. I don't know if it is going to do any good, if he does, it won't be because I didn't try.
Go call, folks. :patriot:

[debbierlus]

16. Thank you!

[kentuck]

12. Joe Biden is going on a trip to Israel ?

How many other Democrats will be out of town? Do we have a sufficient number to filibuster?

[sunnystarr]

20. Biden left his proxy vote. (nt)

[Mass]

14. This is a perfectly good reason to refuse to vote for cloture.

Frist is trying to limit debate.

[FreedomAngel82]

15. Can he do that?!

He's doing it because he knows they don't have the votes.

[Mass]

17. Only if the Democrats let him do that.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I think the question is

what is Frist afraid of? Why is he wanting to squeeze this through?

[JanusAscending]

24. Honey, bush wants to brag about it in his State of the Union address!!

so Frist is trying to accomodate the "king" DC

[samhsarah]

19. Got it....thanks! K&R Everybody KICK, everyone needs to see this!!!!

[TygrBright]

21. They are running SCARED!

Their phones must be ringing.

gleefully,
Bright

[low_phreaq]

22. According to Sen. Kohl, the vote IS scheduled for tomorrow!

Response I got from Sen. Kohl:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate
hearing from you, and I would like to take the opportunity to
address your concerns.

On July 1, 2005, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day
O'Connor announced her intention to resign once a replacement
has been confirmed. I have the utmost respect for Justice
O'Connor. History will remember her as not only the first female
Supreme Court justice, but also for her balanced approach to the
law and as someone who conduced herself with honor. She served
admirably and I wish her nothing but the best.

White House Counsel Harriet Miers was nominated to
replace Justice O'Connor, however this nomination was withdrawn
on October 27, 2005. On Monday, October 31, the President
announced the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, Jr. to the U.S.
Supreme Court. Like you, I believe it is imperative that federal
judges meet the highest standards, both personally and
professionally. Upon nomination, a candidate is subject to a
hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I am a
member, and consideration by the full Senate before he or she can
be confirmed. There is a stringent set of requirements that ensures
the quality and competency of our federal judges, and as a member
of the Judiciary Committee I take my responsibility to scrutinize
every Supreme Court nominee very seriously. I believe that
Supreme Court justices should not be ideologues, and should be
committed to fairness in interpretation.

The hearings on the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito
began on January 9, 2006 and allowed the Senate Judiciary
Committee to closely review Judge Alito's qualifications and
judicial philosophy, as well as his views on important issues. I
reviewed Judge Alito's testimony at these hearings very seriously.

On January 24, 2005, the Senate Judiciary Committee
reconvened to review Judge Alito's nomination to the Supreme
Court. After a thorough examination during the hearing process, I
have decided to oppose the nomination of Judge Alito. Though I
believe Judge Alito showed himself to be a man of great
intellectual ability during the hearings before the Judiciary
Committee, I have serious concerns with Judge Alito's legal
philosophy. I have misgivings that Justice Alito will narrow rights,
limit freedoms and overturn decades of progress.

We expect the Supreme Court to guard our liberties, protect
our rights and where appropriate, expand our freedoms. Judge
Alito's judicial opinions suggest a well-formed philosophy of
limited rights and restricted civil liberties. I had hoped that Judge
Alito would have been able to satisfy the concerns I had with his
record at his hearing. Instead, he chose to avoid many of the
Senate Judiciary Committee's questions and in doing so, he did a
disservice to the country and his nomination. The Senate Judiciary
Committee has the obligation to decide whether Alito's views have
a place on the Supreme Court. I have decided they do not and
therefore, I oppose Judge Alito's nomination.

Judge Alito's nomination was approved after being
evaluated by the Senate Judiciary Committee and will be voted on
by the full Senate on January 25, 2005. Again, thank you for
contacting me. Please feel free to contact me about issues that
concern you.




Sincerely,


Herb Kohl
U.S. Senator

[berni_mccoy]

23. BRING IT ON, CAT KILLER!