If We get 41 plus votes against Alito and don't filibuster...

[WI_DEM]

then the question is "What will the Senate Democrats stand for?" It is possible that we will have more than 41 (including Jeffords of VT), but yet we are hearing that 8 Dems may vote FOR closure yet some of those 8 would then vote "NO" on Alito. My feeling is that they might as well support him if they won't support a filibuster. There still is no official word on all of this, so we need to wait and see, but I honestly don't see what the Democrats could possibly lose by standing up to Alito. It's not like the country is really paying attention. The only ones who are paying attention are people who actually pay attention (which is very low) or political partisans. If Senate Democrats did stand up and filibuster it would actually stimulate our base and probably lead to more contributions. By November, the country at large will not give a hoot if Dems stopped Alito.

Frankly, if Alito is allowed to pass Go without a filibuster I wouldn't blame Justice Stevens, 85, if he finally decided to retire--he can't wait forever for Democrats to get a backbone.

[bullimiami]

1. force the cloture vote and force these 8 dinos out of hiding

lets see who they are so we can replace them with someone who will fight for US.

[ewagner]

3. BINGO!

Exactly right....

Make them vote PUBLICLY to end cloture and (in essence) VOTE FOR ALITO....

Force the bastards into the open!!! :bounce:

[papau]

2. The 8 should be forced to vote yes on closure - if they have the guts

to ask for money from Democrats afterward, I would be surprised.