Key Democrats Try to Mount Filibuster Against Alito

[kurth]

Key Democrats Try to Mount Filibuster Against Alito
The senators admit that their effort to derail the high court nomination is 'an uphill battle.' The GOP sets a vote for Monday to end debate.
By Maura Reynolds
Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — A group of Senate Democrats decided Thursday to launch a last-ditch filibuster effort to block the confirmation of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court, a move they acknowledged would be an uphill fight.

Alito's confirmation appears all but certain — more than half of the Senate's 100 members have announced they would vote for him. Along with nearly unanimous support from the chamber's 55 Republicans, Alito on Thursday picked up the backing of two Democrats — Sens. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia and Tim Johnson of South Dakota. One other Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, previously had signaled that he would vote for Alito. All three come from states that George W. Bush won in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. And Byrd and Nelson are up for reelection this year...

Alito's opponents need 41 votes to prevent the Senate from ending debate on his nomination by President Bush, a number that appeared out of reach. Still, Democratic Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry, both of Massachusetts, were attempting Thursday to rally support for a filibuster. In turn, Majority Leader Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) scheduled a vote for Monday to cut off debate on Alito's nomination, which could clear the way for a confirmation vote on Tuesday — hours before Bush is scheduled to give the annual State of the Union address.

Kennedy called the filibuster effort "an uphill battle at the present time." But Kennedy said he and other Democrats would "make a good fight of it," hoping to focus more attention on their concerns that Alito would tilt the high court too far to the right. Alito's confirmation would represent "an ideological coup," Kennedy said in a statement. He termed the federal appellate judge "a far-right ideologue." ... In addition to Kennedy and Kerry, supporters of a filibuster included Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland...

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-alito27jan27,0,6948017.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

[babylonsister]

1. Uphill battle or not, I'm so glad they're representing us! nt

[Felix Mala]

2. Our days would be better spent organizing grass roots ops for Nov.

Folks, it's over. The Robertses and Alitos were all confirmed in November 2004, sad to say. Things won't change until there is a Democratic majority in the Senate or a Democrat in the White House. Every ideologue Bush nominates will be approved unless they're found in bed with a live boy or a dead girl.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

3. Pointless pandering.

They only came out in favor of it once it was sure not to happen. They're just throwing a bone to us, guys.

[seabeyond]

4. f* that n/t

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

9. You believe otherwise?

Two senators from a liberal state, in no danger of being defeated in any election any time soon. They've got nothing to lose. It's a sop to the base. I'm no happier about Alito than you are, but we need to face reality.

[seabeyond]

11. people were exactly demanding that. filibuster you have nothing to lose

do it or we walk. listen to your people. dont care if it wont be effective do it anyway. a no vote without filibuster, regardless if possible to be successful is a yes vote for alito

you may not see bashing at every turn of dems, be it repug, media or this board,..... because you appear to be a part of the problem.

dems, dems on this board, dem blogs, and editorials in newspapers demanded filibuster or else

you should praise, they gave what base wants, regardless

if they hadnt, then they are traitors. tell me how they were suppose to be successful in this one.

i can easily face reality, not a tough one for me. i dont invest in the past, or wish for a future. i live in the now. i personally dont give a shit about alito. as far as i am concerned this is the curse america sucks up and lives with cause there are so many assholes that want to live what alito will give us. lets get this damn abortion battle off the table. take it. and then all live with the repercussion of taking it away. it will just be a matter of time before it is remembered why the law was passed, to protect womens rights

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

12. Except that they DO have something to lose.

Support for a filibuster of Alito does not exactly have majority support in this country. In fact, support for it outside the Democratic base is almost nil.



do it or we walk.

Are you seriously suggesting that you will stop voting for Democrats if they don't filibuster Alito? Do you honestly think that enough people are doing that for it to make a difference?


you may not see bashing at every turn of dems, be it repug, media or this board,..... because you appear to be a part of the problem.

Really? I'm not the one saying I'm going to stop voting for Democrats, or work to have senior Democrats replaced by newcomers.


dems, dems on this board, dem blogs, and editorials in newspapers demanded filibuster or else

I've seen a few newspapers who believe a filibuster is justified. I haven't seen anything like "Or Else" outside of DU and some corners of the blogosphere. I think you overestimate the impact of those ultimatums. Anyway, all of this is irrelevant, because my original point - that this is nothing more than a bit of pandering to the base - is still correct.

[seabeyond]

13. well a lot of things in your post aren't correct

i am saying, what people are saying to our senators, not me. dont you get it. i dont think a filibuster is necessary or effective. i see it as a waste of time. i personally feel that the president was elected (kinda) and we get the supremes he selects. tough shit. our rights taken away, that is what people asked for in electing bush. just confirms all i told friends prior to election

you say pandering..... others will say they listened to the constituents. (not my feelings, but just as real)

make it whatever you want to make it in your world. regardless this is what we now have. i dont want it fucked up. i want the higher of what we have now. if any good is to come, i will take it. i personally want the f*in repugs out. and i want the dems in. not a tough one in my book. i dont threaten to walk. i am not a democrat. but i support them a hell of a lot more than most people that label themselves dem. never did i say i would walk. there have been many thread though, on this board threatening to walk. i think it is bullshit. blustering.

[cali]

6. WHY

can't people here see this? The repubs have the votes for cloture. Akaka, Landrieu, Salazar and now Biden have all gone on record as saying they'll vote for cloture. Nelson, Byrd and Johnson are voting for Alito. It's ridiculous to think they'd vote for Alito and against cloture. I'm sorry, but I see this 11th hour filibuster move as throwing a bone to us, too.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

10. Why can't people see it?

Because they don't want to see it. Because they refuse to believe that Democratic Senators are politicians, every bit as happy to appease their base (in the least risky way possible) as any other politician.

[seabeyond]

5. an article that isnt full of disdain or ridicule. puts the event

in a position of the reason to filibuster, not a loser if it isnt successful, and regardless of uphill battle, important to do to educate people. for once an article where flags of prejudice didnt pop out all over

[PFunk]

7. Why? Because sometimes...

...you have to fight against something that's wrong. Even though their's a good chance of you losing. Even if you do lose it will put the fear, if not respect into our oponents. And make them think twice before wronging you again.

And this is the time for it.

[seabeyond]

8. why what? what i have heard since yesterday afternoon

since kerry and kennedy announce, is ridicule, from media, and people on this board. it is good to see the article lay it out without any particular political slant to it. so it can be seen like you suggest. at least try, educate. this article is a good thing. then, regardless of failure or success..... it isnt a futile or damaging exercise