The defense for Democrats who vote for Alito

[bigtree]

[NoPasaran]

1. We're surrendering over here so we don't have to surrender over there

:popcorn:

[durablend]

10. They don't want to be booted from *'s Christmas card list

[bluestateguy]

2. The only one I give a pass to is Ben Nelson

Red state, up for reelection this year, Bush is still popular in Nebraska; OK, fine. He gets a pass. We can spare a couple of votes.

But Johnson, Byrd and any other who defect...they have no legitimate excuse.

[shance]

3. No pass for promoting tyranny and putting all Americans in danger.

n/t

[bigscott]

5. EXACTLY

Giving him a pass to cover his ass?? is he more important than the rest of the country? Than the Constitution? Fuck his pass - he is a traitor and SHOULD be defeated in the primary

[bluestateguy]

20. OK

So what would you say then if Nelson voted no, and lost reelection this year as a result?

[bigtree]

11. red state schmed state

we've never been able to count on Nelson. It's just like having a republican in the seat on our important votes. I keep expecting him to bolt the party. Hell, Bush calls him Benny, used to call him Nellie. They're good buds.

[LiberalAndProud]

12. Johnson

same pass as Nelson

red state
up for reelection
Bush popular

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=247244&mesg_id=247463

[bigtree]

14. but we fought for him when his ass was on the line

Democrats fought for him. He took a republican stance. For conservative votes?

Now, tell me. How does he convince me to send him money again for his next campaign. He wouldn't be there in the Senate without us.

[LiberalAndProud]

16. I didn't hand out the passes.

Nobody gets a pass on this one from me.
Just seems to me that the Pass-price should be even-handed.

[hippiegranny]

4. i could almost hear the crickets chirping

you are exactly right - NO DEFENSE.

[jsamuel]

6. chirp

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. They need to keep the bri...er, campaing donations coming.

So they can keep their precious seats and pretend to be Democrats.

[napi21]

8. I think the Dems who are voting for Alito are doing it because

THEIR constituents want them to. W.VA has a lot of "religious" people who want Roe overturned, and most of them believe a conservative judge will make sure they can keep their guns! Those are the most important things to them.

I suspect the Dakots feel the same.

I don't want Alito BECAUSE I think he wants to put too much authority in the Executive Branch, and give all the breaks in favor of business. Many voters who aren't political jumlies don't pay attention to things like that...until it directly affects them.

I'm not going t slam Bob Byrd for voting the way he did. He's doing what his constituents want, and that's really what we all want OUR Senators to do, isn't it?

[bigtree]

13. no

he votes for the nation, not just his constituency, not for a permanent seat on the highest court in the land.

[napi21]

15. I understand your point, but I don't think that's the way it works.

Why do you think each Senator asks for your zip code when you call? There are some, at least house members, who won't even take your call or accept an email unless you live in their area.

[bigtree]

17. craven political calculations

but they're votes usually concern all of us, unlike the representatives. Their staff may not recognize this when responding to your phone calls or other entreaties, but, they are there to represent the interests of all Americans, not just their home state, and they should be confronted when they make a decision that will affect your life, no matter where you reside in the United States.

[meegbear]

9. I didn't eat anything all day and the shots just kept coming

[Coexist]

18. Byrd is going to be proposing mine safety regulations, I'm sure

so this may be a "deal" for him.

Landrieu is up to her neck in the NOLA disaster - not wanting to filibuster makes sense for her - she is facing a huge R blame-swell in LA.

Nelson is in a blood red state.

It pisses me off - but since he is going to get in anyway - why not take what they can get out of the deal.

I don't think Reid will be able to pull this one off. Kerry may only be saying he is trying to get a filibuster going because it behooves him politically to do so. If Reid can't do it - Kerry won't be able to.

Same as the "No" vote with no filibuster - a meaningless, but well-intentioned gesture.

[bigtree]

19. none of those things will get them anything from the other party

they're overflowing with the power rush from their false authority, most of it born out of collective Democratic retreats.