Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Thread 6

[Sydnie]

thread 1 -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=234580&mesg_id=234580

thread 2 -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x235101

thread 3 -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=235518&mesg_id=235518

thread 4 -
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=236172&mesg_id=236172

thread 5 -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=236816&mesg_id=236816

[Surya Gayatri]

1. I've just started streaming on-line, but the whole

chamber is silent. Can somebody explain what's going on? Where's all the blah blah? SG

[Sydnie]

2. In Quorum call, waiting for Kerry now n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

5. Is there a time limit for a quorum call?

How long do they have? SG

[Sydnie]

38. No time limit, it is used to stall and really not for much else unless

there is an actual call to a vote.

[Coexist]

3. Thread 5 ended with a link to this RawStory from kpete

http://www.rawstory.com/
<headline>
Democratic aides break silence on Alito vote: Filibuster still 'long shot;' Senators who will vote against Alito may not back filibuster: Developing...

[mmonk]

6. It's called a vote

without substance or having it both ways.

[gkhouston]

7. so kiddies: is this reality or is Reid still playing PR?

Because this is exactly what I'd do if I were him.

I think we need a DU smiley for someone pulling out their hair...

[Wordie]

4. Kerry coming up... eom

[bettyellen]

8. shoot, i have to go in 15 minutes. please post the best of kerry for me

i'm bummed i'm going to miss it.

[rumpel]

16. I wonder how many signatures he's got to put on the record....

[kpete]

9. update

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Democratic_aides_admit_Al...

[radio4progressives]

11. bad link...n/t

[bear425]

15. Here's the link, kpete

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Democratic_aides_admit_Alito_filibuster_long_0125.html

[CottonBear]

17. Link doesn't work. n/t

[radio4progressives]

10. ok.. i get what's happening..

these are all the preliminaries (as posted before by others) these are the "known" intentions, not the final or formal voting process. these votes are taken from verbal or published stated intentions, not a vote on the floor.

it ain't over til the fat lady sings, which is going to be a few days apparently.

[orleans]

12. hutchison votes yes (bla)

[ralps]

13. Gack!! Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.

:hi:

[Debau2005]

14. A great justice?

WHATEVER...

[Ezlivin]

Did she spit out the defense contractor's dick before she spoke?

The woman is a defense contractor whore.

[The Witch]

104. ...

:spray: :spray: :spray: :spray: :spray:

[ralps]

23. "The President is fullfilling his promise to the American people" her

words. My comment-by nominating extreme RW Activist Judges IMHO. :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[orleans]

18. Start Calling the Senators--ALL OF THE DEMS & A FEW Rs

check out the phone tree

JEFFORDS CORRECTED PHONE NUMBER 202-224-5141

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2390294&mesg_id=2390294

[LiberalAndProud]

19. I thought Kerry was coming up. What happened?

[AuntiBush]

133. Kerry Coming Up Next or Right After: 3:00 PM EST Hour

Right after Sen. Mikulski - she's up right now. Kerry will follow either next, or right after as she stated before she begun.

She's talking about Constitutional right of privacy, horrible record, dividing our country, not of the mainstream, ease-dropping, you name it *She up right now.

[ClayZ]

20. Is her voice really irritating or is it just me?

[Debau2005]

21. Was the employee harrassed or

assaulted? I thought it was an assault.

[CottonBear]

27. Sexaully assaulted/sodomized if I remember correctly. n/t

[spotbird]

22. Kay looks worried

The only way to tell what's going on is to turn the sound off and watch.

[Coexist]

26. I can't listen to one more idiot tell me how "calm and composed"

Alito was during the hearing. WTF does that have to do with the price of rice in China?

[AuntiBush]

102. McCain Spoke While Ago About All the

questions and hours Alito had to endure... yeah, all responses were completely e-va-sive!

[Sydnie]

30. She said she hoped that those on the other side would

"at least let them have a vote". That is encouraging!

[kpete]

24. I feel their pain

Advisers to Democratic senators on the Judiciary Committee express a palpable frustration at being unable to stop the man who most believe will significantly shift the nation’s highest court to the right. In conversations over the last week, aides in various Senate offices have privately told RAW STORY of their consternation with how the Alito confirmation process has played out.

“The myopia among too many Senate Democrats is stunning,” the aide said. “They can’t see this is the fight for the future of the Supreme Court. Three years from now if Justice Alito has rolled back the right to choose, Democrats should want to be remembered for fighting tooth and nail to stop this guy.”

“This is a fight for history, you can’t just take the issue off the table,” the aide continued. “Does the country understand what’s at stake right now? Probably not. But they will when Alito does damage to our Constitution, and if we don’t fight now, voters will say a pox on both our houses.”

One aide said part of the problem is that Democratic senators haven’t felt a groundswell of opposition from constituents. Polls show that Alito’s nomination is supported by most Americans.

“People aren’t engaged in this fight,” one senior aide said. “The reality is this isn’t something that American people are calling in droves about. We’re getting more calls in on NSA spying than we are on Alito.”

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Democratic_aides_admit_Alito_filibuster_long_0125.html

[CottonBear]

25. Is Kay defending anal rape of retarded persons by co-workers?

She is a hideous whiner. She ain't so smart.

[Debau2005]

29. I thought it was an assault

not a harrassment as she said.

[dogday]

34. Probably, they are so rude at her office

don't even ask for my zip code. don't want any dissent...

[ralps]

28. Sen. John McCain up now

:hi:

[Debau2005]

31. Blah....

Don't care for him.

[ralps]

36. Alito "is worthy of our support" according to McCain

:hi:

[bear425]

37. ralps, people unfamiliar with your sig line may think you love him.

Lol.

[ralps]

42. Ok I'll change it

:hi:

[Skidmore]

32. Hutchinson--Hopes that critics "will at least let us have a vote."

Interesting comment.

Now McCain up trying to sound presidential.

[CottonBear]

40. Would some reporter please ask her why Miers didn't get up or down vote?

:grr:

[Debau2005]

67. Seems the Repukes

have forgotten about her. Graham just skipped over her in his statements!

[AuntiBush]

123. Mikulski (D-MD) Just Mentioned that!

[karynnj]

33. McCain

What's up with him? He seems really disconnected.

[orleans]

39. mccain votes yes (the jerk!)

[AuntiBush]

54. Yeah...

And he's talking right now about how "sad" he is because "the other side of the aisle" is holding up Congress and not voting for Alito.

He's got a lot of nerve! His yes vote shoves us right into total Fascism, total Dictatorship.

Feeling betrayed by my country right now.

[Sydnie]

43. KISS MY ASS McCain!

[dogday]

47. What do you think the administration has on McCain?

all these wire-taps, they got a lot of info on a lot of people

[Sydnie]

55. they already showed him what it felt like to oppose them

and if he wants the blessing for '08, then he needs to kiss a lot of political butt between now and then.

[Skidmore]

Wants to get on to other more "important" business,

besides this vote. Like lobbying reform, Patriot act, etc. Screw him. This vote will impact the rest of these very directly. He's in campaign mode and we haven't even gotten to midterm elections.

[bettyellen]

Did they say when Kerry will be up?

[Sydnie]

41. Looks like he got bumped until 3 maybe? n/t

[bettyellen]

35. Did they say when Kerry will be up?

[AuntiBush]

127. Right After Sen. Mikulski - She's Up Now

Sometime in the 3:00 hour EST.

[babylonsister]

44. SCREW McCain!

There... I feel better. :-(

[Coexist]

45. McCain is right - if they aren't going to filibuster - I don't want

so sit around and listen to them all yammer. Just fucking do it. Don't prolong the agony so you can have your little air-time clips for your campaign. I am sick inside.

[helderheid]

46. McCain is no longer moderate. What happened to him?!??!

[babylonsister]

50. He's gone to the dark side, and left his

conscience behind.

[Caution]

52. he was NEVER moderate

Look at the guy's voting record. He sounds reasonable when he talks but he's as rabid a wingnut as any of them

[grace0418]

65. He was never moderate, just a WHORE.

He'll say or do anything for the right price.

[orleans]

48. mccain sounds like he's ready to call for cloture?

because we're all wasting our time with this
there are other pressing issues

he can't do that can he?

[orleans]

56. good. go sit down and shut up then john. n/t

[bear425]

58. No, just trying to make us out to be obstructionists. n/t

[CottonBear]

49. McCain: We're dragging process out...we ALL KNOW what the result will be

...the Democrat's position saddens me..."

WELL BOO FUCKING HOO! Who cares what you think? Your'e nothing nmore than Bush's butt boy. SHUT UP. The vote hasmn't happened yet. :grr:

[melissinha]

51. Who DO you think you are McCain

YOu can go to HELL for all I care, this is the most important decision any of these people will make and to vote for him out of partisanship and to bring up other issues which PALE in comparison to the evil that this man will unleash...

[Sydnie]

64. Dare we say that

the outcome of this vote will aid in determining the outcome of all the other "important business" you have to do ... you anal dwelling butt monkey!

My apologies to all normal anal dwelling butt monkey's all over the world.

[bettyellen]

53. Elections have consequences? An activist Supreme Court stopping the vote

count had consequences, asshole.
I gotta get out of here.

[stevedeshazer]

57. How DARE McCain complain about delay in getting Congress to work??

HIS PARTY has delayed opening Congress, because they have to "investigate" themselves.

:grr: :wtf:

[orleans]

61. no shit! good point!

[CottonBear]

63. Goog god. Huckleberry Graham's talking about Bill Clinton.

I HATE THESE SELF-LOATHING CLOSETED REPUBLICAN ASSSHOLES discusing MY right to control my body!

[Sydnie]

71. Huckleberry Graham - I like that

yep, I think that is a keeper!

[CottonBear]

80. I didn't make it up. I think a radio person did.

GAH! I can't stand Mr. "Closet Bigot." :grr:

[Lasher]

91. Me too, it fits like a glove (EOM)

[Skidmore]

59. Anyone gotta clock handy?

[Greeby]

73. Forget a clock

Get the tissues :evilgrin:

[Sydnie]

You in the mood to clean one?

:rofl:

[ralps]

60. Awwww McCain's upset that the "democratic party is engaged in

partisian politics" :hi: Poor baby :cry: baby

[spanone]

68. McCain should be notified that the Democrats are only doing thier jobs.

[Debau2005]

62. YUCK

I just had lunch, and it is that hideous Graham.

[Skidmore]

66. He sure knows how to carry water for someone else, doesn't he?

[stevedeshazer]

69. My utter contempt for Lindsay Graham grows exponentially

:grr:

[Debau2005]

76. The TEMPERAMENT?

He has the temperament? What? My dog has a very nice temperament but he shouldn't be a Supreme Court justice either!!

[ralps]

70. Sen. Lindsey Graham up now, discussing the Appellete court judges that

"support Alito". This is so wrong, that these judges testified before the committee. :hi:

[dogday]

72. We are being Partisan

how many Republicans are crossing the line on this vote McCain and Graham? 0
how many Democrats are crossing the line on this vote McCain and Graham? 1


get the facts right!!!!

[VP505]

74. I wanted to watch

the debate, but I am getting really close to :puke: so I turned off the sound before I :nuke:

[Vinca]

75. I'm getting really, really sick of hearing "we voted for Clinton's

nominee" over and over and over and over and over. If they didn't like Ginsberg, they shouldn't have voted for her. Grrrrrrr. This is getting annoying, but I think something - maybe a filibuster - is brewing.

[Sydnie]

87. bite Me Graham - you guys did it even sleazier than this

Prior to the Republican sweep of Congress and the White House, Sen. Frist and other Republicans proposing the gag measure freely invoked filibuster. For example, they filibustered six of President Clinton's judicial nominees, all of whom were ultimately appointed after they received a majority vote. Moreover, the Republican minority succeeded in blocking 60-plus nominees in committee. This tactic is unaffected by the proposed rule change, as are other similar types of filibuster, including placing a hold on a nomination, refusing to report a nomination out of committee, objecting to unanimous consent agreements, being absent during quorum calls, and voting against cloture.

edit to add source - http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1111781921564

[CottonBear]

88. No one made them vote for Mrs. Ginsburg. n/t

[GOTV]

95. I don't think so....

... apparently 8 dems oppose the filibuster

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x237051

[MadisonProgressive]

77. These pukes are truly disgusting scum

[Gregorian]

81. This guy's giving the cspan cameraman a real workout.

We should do a music video of these idiots. Nose scratching; Jacket buttoning; Hand waving. This guy needs a wireless headpiece so he can dance around the room.

A more smug group of clowns, I've never seen.

[Dinger]

82. When In The Hell Do We Dems Get To Talk? nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

78. Ugh. Lindsey, "we'll clean your clock", Graham up now.

I've decided all these repuke threats are nothing more than HOLLOW threats because the don't have support for the nuke option. They're trying to bully the Dems out of a filibuster because they know they can't stop it. They do not have enough votes to support a nuke.JMCPO

[AuntiBush]

135. And so Un-Statesman-Like - So Un-Professional.

Heard that last night in repeat on C-SPAN, and a few other despicable childish remarks.

Disgraceful manner of speaking on the floor of our Capitol. :puke:

[Coexist]

79. I've given up and turned the television off - I am not going to

sit here and waste time watching the run-up to an empty gesture. They are not going to filibuster - I feel it in my gut. I sooo hope I am wrong.

Tell me - If I register as an Independent do I become the magical "swing-voter" they will try to woo - because solid support for them doesn't do shit but get me words, words, words, coming out my ears.

[Debau2005]

83. His swaying is making me nauseous.

[dogday]

85. Ginsberg was forthright on her views on Abortion

Alito won't say shit....

[dogday]

93. Only someone who would oppose the ACLU would

endorse a Justice who history of case rule against the little people 85% of the time.... They don't want us to have rights....

[ralps]

84. Justice Ginsberg got 96 votes because she was a moderate IMHO

:hi:

[Greeby]

97. And because Clinton went to Hatch, both times

Showed him the list of SCOTUS nominees he had in mind, and asked Hatch (Who was chairman at the time) which one would make it out of the committee.

[MadisonProgressive]

86. If Graham doesn't piss the dems off enought to filibuster, nothing will

[Wordie]

89. Republicans keep missing the point! Expansion of Prez powers wasn't

something we needed to worry about with any of those other judges.

[The Doctor.]

90. Comparing Alito to Ginsberg?

Graham is reaching.

[Debau2005]

92. What?

Did he just contradict himself with that crap of popular positions don't need good attorneys? What?

[CottonBear]

94. "I wouldn't want case decided by a political judge."

The why the fuck are you defending Alito idiot boy? :grr:

[CottonBear]

96. There's not a dimes worth of difference btwn Alito, Roberts and Ginsburg."

I call BULLSHIT on Huckleberry Graham.

[Debau2005]

103. If he is comparing him to the other justices

why did he just call him a conservative judge?

[Sydnie]

109. Does he not realize that a number of regular judges ARE

elected? :wtf:

[Skidmore]

98. Aww, please, let's cut and paste Graham's life. Please, please, please

let's take him up on this.

[The Witch]

99. New Talking Point! "The Politics of Cut and Paste"(TM) Remember it!

you'll hear Sean Hannity say it tonight.

[CottonBear]

116. WTF do politrical ads have to do with this debate about real issues? n/t

[CottonBear]

100. What dirt does Bush have on Huckleberry Graham besides the gay issue?

What threats are they holding over his head?

[helderheid]

101. 2004 was STOLEN ASSHOLE

[Wordie]

105. He's saying that judges shouldn't be subjected to political forces...

well, why then, did Meirs' nomination get bombed by the far right wing? (as Leahy, and many others, already pointed out).

Saying that you can take a judges record and "make it look like anything you want" Reject the politics of "cut and paste."

Jeez...the Republicans are doing that...not looking at Alito's entire record, but only stressing the parts they think will play well.

And now he's saying that Clinton got to select judges, and selected liberals (Bush nominees treated differently).

Again...They just don't get it that Alito's statements about expansion of Prez powers make a big difference! That's what the Dems are so worried about!

[Wordie]

106. What was that he said about the vote changing things for the worse???

Does that mean he anticipates a filibuster????

[CottonBear]

115. He's threatening the Democrats. The Repubs must be worried.

I called my hideous GA senators and urged them to vote no and filibuster. Chambliss' offcie staff were polite but Isakson's staff member was really surly and hung up immediately after I made my comment

[Debau2005]

122. Hey you got an answer at Isakson?

I must have called when they were out to lunch, I got voicemail.

[CottonBear]

126. Call back. They'll hate what you have to tell them. Isakson is useless.

He doesn't do crap. He didn't even have a website when I checked late last fall.

[Wordie]

131. An article I'm sending - Dean U.Chicago Law has changed his mind re:Alito

Seems to me that might help convince some. The Dean is quite distinguished, and he initially supported Alito, but now has grave doubts about him and urges a "no" vote.

Here's the link to the HuffPo article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-r-stone/why-the-senate-should-not_b_14229.html

To me, it seems significant that so distinguished a legal scholar would change his mind on Alito.

[AuntiBush]

107. Sen. Mikulski (D-MD) Has the Floor, followed by Kerry and others

On now - just beginning.

[ralps]

108. Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland up now

:hi:

[AuntiBush]

111. We Posted at the same time!

:bounce: :hi:

[ralps]

112. LOL

:hi:

[AuntiBush]

114. Go Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)!!!!

She's telling it like it is, from wrong war, etc.

Come on Barbara!

[ralps]

119. She will oppose Alito because she doesn't know who he is LOL

:hi:

[CottonBear]

110. He's trying to say that the President gets to approve not the senate.

What an idiot. Does he think we're that stupid? He said that "Bush has earned his right to have his nominee approved and Alito has earned his right to be approved." :eyes:

[Wordie]

113. Don't forget to recommend this thread. And thanks, Sydnie, for

taking over the moderating effort from Viva!

:yourock:

[Wordie]

117. Time for a new thread, perhaps? eom

[Lasher]

118. Thread 7 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=238051&mesg_id=238051

[Sydnie]

124. thanks Lasher! n/t

[Lasher]

130. We make a great team, ya think?

:pals:

[VP505]

120. Good point

keep reminding them about Myers. Oh wow, she (Mikulski) is doing better than I thought she would. YOU GO GIRL! Mikulski.

[yellowdogmi]

121. Just an Idle question

Can we lobby to impeach the Judges that decided Bush v. Gore. Is there a process we can get started? Does anyone know? Anyone know anything about Samuel Chase? What is the story of his impeachment? Okay or two, or three or four. Thanks for any help!

[Greeby]

128. One is dead, one is leaving

And I'm sure if Scalia and Thomas would be impeached over anything, it'd be something other than Bush vs Gore

[AuntiBush]

129. Only if Dems Ever Control The House or Senate

Its either 1 or both. Can't recall.

[AuntiBush]

125. (D-MD) Sarbanes "NO"

[radio4progressives]

132. When the Dems Praise Sandra Day, it goes over the top..

I understand the rationalization quite clearly.

But Sandra Day O'Connor was the deciding vote on a highly UN-Constitional decision in deciding the 2000 elections.

The Dems should NOT be going so far as to make her into some saint, she clearly wasn't not even compared to judge A- Lie-Toe..

The point can be made that she was the first Woman, (leaving only one woman on the court with Ginsberg)and that she was the deciding vote on many important issues that affect civil rights and civil liberties... but the accolades should NOT go so far as some of these Dems, it misses the mark, and it justifies her 2000 decision, which was not a matter of small consequence to our democracy and our liberties and indeed the course of history.

[Avalux]

134. Can't be locked - go here to continue discussion in Thread 7:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=238051&mesg_id=238051

[gkhouston]

136. self-delete