Instead of a filibuster, I'd like to see the Dems abstain from voting..

[Armstead]

I'm guessing that some Democratic leaders don't wnt to fillabuster Alito because they don't think they have the votes to sustain it, and it would look weak and ineffectual.

But IMO there might be an alternative to at least put in a strong protest by abstaining from voting for him. And make it clear that this is a protest against the non-participation in the nomination process (in contrast to Clinton who put up nominees who GOP Senators said they could support).

I'm not a Constitutional scholar, so I don't know what the implications would be. Perhaps that would be a lack of quorum that would block it. Maybe it would be considered illgal and Frist would sic the Capitol Police on them.

I also doubt the Democrats would do it, so I'm just thinking out loud. But it's at least one posible altenative to stir things up, along the lins of Reid demanding a closd session last year.

[Kagemusha]

Frist could have them dragged back into the chamber.

I'm not sure he can force them to vote, however...

[Armstead]

2. What if they all caught a mysterious "cold" and had to stay home?

[William769]

1. you need 51 Senators for a quorum

So that is not going to happen. Fillibuster seems to be the only way to try to stop Alito.

[Armstead]

4. If they counted the votes and don;t have a filibuster sustaining amount...

I doubt he could be blocked. But I'm looking at how Democrats might do somthing unexpected, like Reid pulled last year over the Palme investigaton.

[benburch]

3. We'll not have either.

We have the largest bunch of spineless people ever collected in the Senate.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

5. You got it, Ben.........

Our leaders are going to let us down today, big-time.

[benburch]

13. This sucks more than I can tell you.

THIS is why I spent so much of my life as a (gasp) Libertarian. I disagreed with them about some issues, but at least they STOOD for something.

[MadHound]

6. Sorry, but the Democrats absolutely have to filibuster

No kowtowing, no weak ineffectual protests, none of that will help the matter, only a good old fashioned filibuster. Refusing to vote only allows the 'Pugs to ram Alito through, and will be spun as the Dems being either stupid, obstructionists, whiny, or all three. At least a filibuster is up front, proactive, and shows the world that yes indeed, the party does indeed have a spine left.

And if they don't filibuster, I think that it will hurt them in the polls this fall. Many, many people, especially in the anti-war movement, are down to their last nerve with the rollover Democrats. If they don't fight this one, a hell of a lot of people are going to walk out of the party and right over to the Greens, who though small, at least get in the ring and fight.

[bigtree]

7. it's not easy being green

[MadHound]

9. No it isn't, but I'd rather go down fighting as a Green

Than rolling over as a Democrat. I'm tired of Democrats pissing all over themselves like whipped pups, all to please Bush. IWR, prescription drug bill, Ashcroft, Patriot Act, the list goes on and on ad nauseum. It is high time that they stood up and fought back.

Sadly though, I don't think that they will on this one either. After all, having another pro-corporate justice on the bench benefits a lot of them, while it will screw the vast majority of Americans.

[Armstead]

8. I'd prefer a fillabuster but...

if we dont have the votes to sustain it, it would just be "business a usual" and embarassing.

I'm just trying to think "outside the box" here. As reid showed last year, the unexpected is often an effective way to make a point.

[MadHound]

12. If the Dems would stick together,

Like a good party leadership should enforce, then yes, we have enough votes to sustain a filibuster. It is simply a matter of the party leadership exerting its authority. Sadly, with the news that the DLC is coming out against a filibuster, I doubt that it is going to happen, and Alito is going to skate right in.

And if that happens, it could very well sound the death knell for the Democratic party, too many people feel like I do, sick of a party that rolls over on everything, and absolutely spoiling for a party that fights back.

[depakid]

14. Not only that

contributions will dry up- and the Republicans will regain momentum. Who's going to think the Dems are fit to lead if they can't even bring their own party in line to stop this?

The Republicans WOULD HAVE for certain, had the tables been turned. That's why they're the majority part.

[The Whiskey Priest]

10. I concur...that would be the best of a bad situation.

If we cannot stop, and it appears we cannot, then lets hang this reactionary around the Republican Party's neck. From their crying for a bi-partisan vote it would seem they are in a panic that they not stand alone in confirming.

[Village Idiot]

11. Does anyone here have a strategy...

...for Democrats who vote to confirm Alito?

Their tenure should certainly not last more than 10 more months.