Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Day 3 – Thread 1

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Happy Friday! Senate goes into session in 10 minutes. Are we ready?


Will we see fireworks today, or do you think they’ll save all that for Monday?

[Sammy Pepys]

1. Oh man, am I ever....

Been going through confirmation withdrawal....I love this stuff.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. DU needs to go to DEFCON 3 - lots of trouble posting...

anyone else having trouble?

[Sammy Pepys]

29. I've had no trouble today...

:shrug:

[ralps]

44. DU seem a little slow to me too

[Sydnie]

2. just sent off my last email - guess I am ready!

barely breathing ... but ready I guess!

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. My VCR is ready to go

I've been taping since the committee hearings started. I figure if he is confirmed, it's the downfall of the court, making it historical. If we block him, it's historical...so I'm taping every minute of it.

[woodsprite]

4. Does it help to call each of my senator's offices - each one has 4.

Just dawned on me this morning --- DUH!

[Coexist]

5. YES - absolutely.

Call them all twice. Please.

[woodsprite]

8. I've only been actually "participating" in responsible politics

for just over a year now. All the other years, all I did really was show up to vote. Knew enough to make and educated decision, but never got active. Not good of me - but better late than never! Thanks for the answer. Biden and Carper --- here I come! Faxed/emailed all the Sen's last night - repub and dem.

[Coexist]

12. Good work!

thanks for the help.

[sproutster]

7. They be prayin' nt

[cali]

9. I'll make a couple of half-assed predictions

Snowe and Chafee will announce their intentions to vote against Alito. It gives them cover. They're both up for re-election this year. Dorgan will announce his intention to vote against Alito. He'll support a vote for cloture. Conrad will state that he'll vote for him.

[TahitiNut]

13. Which way will Bayh jump?

:eyes:

[cali]

20. Against Alito

and I think he could go either way on cloture, but my guess is that he'll vote for cloture. (He's always struck me as a pretty cautious type.)

[PATRICK]

66. I can't figure out

the significance of Dean's visit to Indiana with a fiery anti-GOP speech completely unlike Bayh's style.

[Sydnie]

41. Didn't Conrad say no yesterday?

Am I confused? I thought he spoke yesterday and said no. I will admit, I ws floating in and out yesterday but ... I seem to remember noting him because I had not ever really seen him speak before on any issue.

[sproutster]

10. Frist FORCED to start Cloture

To prevent fillibuster

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. Slither is acting Majority leader today

[sproutster]

14. omg Session

Very dissapointing that he is facing a fillibuster.

kiss ass - made many admirers.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

17. I still say he's Malfoy all grown up

[ralps]

18. He's bringing up the judges testifying for Alito again

[ralps]

15. Hi Everyone, Sen. Sessions complaining about the filibuster possibly

happening.

[Coexist]

16. the poor baby - is his wife at home crying? n/t

[ralps]

21. Now he's bitching about "Activist" judges

[FreedomAngel82]

67. Oh brother

What do you call overturning Roe v Wade? Not activist enough for them? :mad:

[MsUSA]

22. anyone hear how Dayton of MN is voting???

called his office in Washington, and told woman I was calling for Mark to filibuster, she just said I'll relay the message.

[ralps]

25. According to CSPAN Dayton hasn't declared yet

[Kurovski]

19. He's threatening America with the gay marriage thing again.

Are we SURE Jeff isn't a closet case?

[TayTay]

23. Let's just go through the checklist Jeff

Gays, check
God, check
Guns: not yet, but we'll get there.

Oh yeah and the property rights thing, which everyone opposes is in here too! What a moran.

[Coexist]

28. I like seeing him so upset about the filibuster.

It is worth doing it just for that.

[Kurovski]

26. OH! And here comes the "under God" brouhaha...

it's odd, he's actually taking a partisan tack here.

"We must pass Alito or homo's will marry and 'in God we trust' will be erased from the sawbuck." Is that what he's implying?

And now he seems pretty clear on the abortion issue...that Alito will overturn RvW. Implying it.

[gkhouston]

30. I don't feel threatened by gay marriage

and I have trouble understanding people who do... what? They were hoping the gay guys would ask them out if they weren't hitched? :crazy:

[Kurovski]

42. He's playing to his own constituents...

and the few issues that they comprehend and that makes them feel active in the political life of America.

Flag/fags/God/guns.

[sproutster]

24. HOLY CRAP - Emminent Domain by activist judges - Bad decision

From Sessions - Did I hear this right?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

27. The man is DELUSIONAL

and Condescending. Asshole

Oh, It's the Dems that have been blocking things huh? bah!

[ralps]

31. Awww Poor baby!!!, Yes Hopefully we will filibuster. LOL Calling the

meeting in Davos "the Masters of The Universe"

[Sydnie]

33. These are the same assholes that want a new world order

but we shouldn't pay a bit of attention to the way the rest of the world has been governing themselves for an easier transition?

We need to know the laws of the countries we do business with you pud!

[sproutster]

32. OMG "mebby they should concentrate bringing the oil prices down"

This guy makes me want to throw something at my television. Not one witness against said he shouldnt be confirmed. The ones who did had legal agendas. It's just bullshit

[TayTay]

35. Alabama people: Is this guy usually medicated before he

is allowed out or what? He is rambling round and not saying anything except that Democrats and Kerry suck because they are against everything that real 'muricans like. (What the hell wa sthat detour about Ruth Bader Ginsberg?)

AL folks have my sympathies.

[ralps]

38. Now he's bitching about a German Judge, I think he's talking about

The german torture case.

[FreedomAngel82]

69. Doesn't he look at the polls?

Oh they don't believe in them unless it's on their side. :eyes:

[Sydnie]

34. RED CHINA!!!!! Guess he forgot about Nixon, huh?

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

[Kurovski]

36. Notice the little "Hitler hop" Sessions does every now and then.

Hitler use to do a little hop up on his toes when he got worked up in a speech..

Sessions also likes to tent his fingers ala C. Montgomery Burns, and insufferable college professors.

[sproutster]

37. LMAO - confirm Alito coz Roberts said during *his* confirmation...

I need drugs to follow this guy.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

39. "Constitution is unique to our country"

Well yes, but the Founding Father didn't just pull everything out of their ass you ASS! They took parts from several different countries and civilizations AAGGHHHH!! And this guy was a Lawyer!!

[sproutster]

40. Quorum Call

[ralps]

43. Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont up now

[helderheid]

46. checking in!

:patriot:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

49. Hello!

[Sydnie]

50. Glad you're here!

:hug:

[ralps]

47. Good Leahy's bringing up Alito's failure to Recuse himself & Alito's

breaking his promises.

[gkhouston]

75. LOL, I mentioned that in the email I sent to a bunch of senators

Byrd seemed to be relying on Alito's word that he wouldn't use his "unitary executive" theories to crown the Chimperor. I used Vanguard as an example of why Alito's promises might not be too meaningful.

[Kurovski]

45. Alito is not strong on "Checks and balances'

and beat around the bush about them during hearing...

[Coexist]

48. "getting a little bit into The Dog Ate My Homework"

hee hee hee

[Viva_La_Revolution]

51. "The Bush Regime secrecy has prevented the committee and

the US Senate and of course the American people from seeing his records.


Go Patrick!!

[sproutster]

52. ONLY TWO PRESIDENTS, TWO PRESIDENTS believe

(president can break law) ONE IS GEORGE W. BUSH AND RICHARD NIXON.

[Kurovski]

53. Leahy says: Alito is the strongest advocate of

the Unitary Executive Doctrine he has seen.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

54. ALL AMERICANS! ALL AMERICANS!!

:woohoo:

[sproutster]

55. HELL YEA - He is going for it!

A FREE PEOPLE - you need checks & balances! The senate should never be allowed to be a rubber stamp and neither should the supreme court.

[Sydnie]

56. Leahy yelling on the floor like Byrd - repeating his point

I am liking him more and more!

[Kurovski]

58. No one yells like Byrd on the floor.

Ok, maybe that old crank from Alaska...AND SPEAK OF THE DEVIL! it's Ted Stevens up now.

Leahy did get passionate, though

[PATRICK]

70. In context

I think has seen the light completely but the strength of his statement suggest to me he is blasting it toward Dems who don't agree. The forceful words also indicate his(Kerry's) side is not winning enough Senate Dems. If Kerry hadn't called for one it seems certain Leahy would have so this is how things are coming out of the meeting that had. I guess IMHO they think our lobbying at this stage can change things.

[Sydnie]

80. That works for me

I support the call to action from both of them.

[gumby]

57. Why don't they say it in plain language?

Alito's "judicial philosophy" says that Bush has dictatorial powers.

Do you want a dictatorship, or do you want a President who operates under the Constitution?

[LeftHander]

64. Bush December 18, 2000

George Bush:

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier -
just so long I'm the dictator." December 18, 2000


need we say more about his true ambition.

[Kurovski]

68. i think they trust Americans to know the difference between a

democracy and a dictatorship.

however, it might could be a big mistake to assume that trust.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

59. Ohhh. Stevens is up...

Will we get to see him go postal again? :D

[helderheid]

61. He can't seem to put a sentence together this morning.

edit afternoon - it's morning where I am.

[sproutster]

60. Ted Stevens up

Chairman is awesome (paraphrase)

[Sydnie]

65. He must have forgiven him for the ANWR vote

I haven't seen ole Ted Stevens in my state yet to tell us all "what they have done". Has he been to your state yet? :rofl:

Damn, he does sound drunk or medicated doesn't he?

[sproutster]

62. My head will prolly explode (I'm a displaced alaskan) :(

[ralps]

63. Sen Ted Stevens of Alaska up now

[ralps]

73. He will vote to confirm Alito

[Kurovski]

71. Stevens is concerned about RvW, having female family members

who have affected his view, but it sounds like he is trusting Alito on his ability to respect established precedent.

[sproutster]

72. No doubt he is qualified.

Unanimously confirmed. 12 cases supreme court. Well respected. 12 members of his collegues support him. Former classmate of Stevens supports him. Recieved unanimous from ABA. In my 30+ years he's voted 16 members supreme court. Always on qualification - not on personal beliefs. His decision is not a simple one. Proud to come from pro choice woman and I support them here in the senate - .. awesome. RvW will devestate country. Will require an ammendment. Honor the doctrine of stare decisis. Asked for pertinate records over this. Answers reflect respect for doctrine of decisis. 3rd day he said RvW important ... date ... challanged... SC on merits, sometimes decisis. I think it strengthens decision. Wisdom embedded in decisions... I think it's entitled to increasing respect. Another portion, 2nd day - if a case involve abortion and hes serving - first question is stare decisis, if go beyond. Then I would have to go through whole judicial process before making decision. He will seek consensous for stare decisis. 3 cases, he demonstrated repect, law, no personal beliefs. I would not have voted as I did in Elisabeth. I believe he will respect, I will vote to confirm. I will hold him to stare decisis

GD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gkhouston]

83. HOW are we going to hold him to stare decisis?

knock, knock... anybody in there, Senator Stevens? Once he's in, we can't do jack shit about it. Unless, of course, he's taking $$ from Jack.

[wordpix]

106. Stevens probably got someone unwantedly pregnant when he was young

[Viva_La_Revolution]

74. Dayton is up

[Viva_La_Revolution]

76. Voting NO! :)

[helderheid]

77. Does not believe the constitution gives a woman rights over her own

reproductive health. Now THAT'S FRAMING THE DEBATE!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

79. "Well, DUH!"

:rofl:

Never thought I'd hear that phrase on the Senate floor!

[BReisen]

81. Me either

I almost choked on my sandwich!

[Amaryllis]

99. Missed that...someone actually said, Well, duh???

[Viva_La_Revolution]

100. Hey Stranger!

Dayton said that...

I can't remember what he was talking about exactly, but he said...
"as my teenage boys are fond of saying...'Well DUH!'"

:)

[Amaryllis]

101. Great! Hey, I just found this forum yesterday. You should put an thread

in GD announcing that this forum is here! BTW, friend of mine said she just talked to friends of HIlary and H will support the filibuster!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

102. NO WAY!!!!

You seriously need to make that it's own thread!

:wow:

on edit: CHECK THIS OUT! (I have the biggest freaking grin on my face right now! )
http://www.democrats.com/alito-48

[Amaryllis]

104. Make what its own? that there is a forum just for the ALlto nom? Or the

news about Hillary?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

105. The news about Hillary...but Reader Rabbit already found it...

see the link above. We're cookin' now Bay.bee!

[ralps]

78. Good Dayton is bringing up Alito's non answers

[Sydnie]

82. Go Dayton GO!!!

:woohoo:

[Coexist]

84. way to call a jackass a jackass.

Thank you Senator Dayton.

[BReisen]

85. A matter of integrity, not interpretation

That says it all. Do what's right, not what you can bend the words to possible mean.

[ralps]

87. Now he's bringing up B***'s signing statements & Alito's interpretation

of those signing statements.

[gumby]

86. Now, *That's* The Plain Talk Express!!

Dayton is good. Didn't hear him before.

[Skidmore]

88. This speach needed to be made at the onset of the hearings.

[Sydnie]

90. Yes it is and I am loving it!

Short sighted, narrow minded, and wrong!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

89. great closing statement!!

I'm going to have to watch this again later.

[Sydnie]

91. Kerry UP!

Be still my beating heart!

[ralps]

92. Sen John Kerry up now YAY!!!!!!!

[ralps]

98. This is the choice for the courts now!!!, He's basically telling his Dem

senator's that now is the time to filibuster!!!!!!!.

[Kurovski]

93. Some guy named Kerry up now...

[Sydnie]

95. Ohhh you!!!

:spank: :rofl:

[in_cog_ni_to]

94. WOOHOO...here we go!

:woohoo:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

96. Thread 2 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=258424&mesg_id=258431

[Kurovski]

97. How will he vote? HOW WILL HE VOTE?!!!

The suspense is excruciating!

[Amaryllis]

103. Do we know what Snowe and Chaffee are doing yet? do we have to wait

till Monday? And what about the Dems who haven't said yet?