WE DON'T NEED 41 TO SUPPORT A FILIBUSTER, JUST 41 NOT TO

[mom cat]

BLOCK ONE!

Not blocking can either be a "Yes" to continue the debate or an abstention. Both work just as well

BECAUSE:

It is "THEY" who have to muster 60 votes to shut down debate...60...
If we have 41 abstentions, the debate continues.

NOW: Some Republicans might not want to vote Yes on keeping the filibuster alive, BUT might abstain on the cloture vote.

They, and others might also vote NO on the Nuke!

The Republicans are the ones with the uphill battle. If they lose the cloture vote by not getting the 60 that they need, they might also fail in the nuke.

Tell all the senators that you oppose the Nuke ... even if they are voting FOR Alito.

[fooj]

1. The "nuclear option" is sooooooo typical of the bullies.

WTF makes the America people think that filibustering is a "democrat thing"???

How soon everyone forgets the Repukes filabustered Clinton's Surgeon General nominee...that's just ONE example!

Peace.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. As someone said earlier...it was used all the time to block civil

rights. Let's, for once, use it for the cause of good. :hi:

[0007]

3. Call, Fax, e-mail as the last resort - Do it now!

Ken Salazar of Colorado (1-888-355-3588 PRESS 2 or 202-224-5852)

Ben Nelson of Nebraska (202-224-6551)

Bill Nelson of Florida (202-224-5274) need your phone calls.

Evan Bayh is also on the fence on voting for Alito and the filibuster! CALL: [phone]

Robert Byrd - 202-224-3954 or 304-343-7144 or 304-342-5855 or http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

JOE LIEBERMAN* - [phone] OR FAX [phone]

Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) [phone]

Joe Biden. 202-224-5042

KENT CONRAD of ND - Phone: [phone]

Frank Lautenburg (D-NJ) - [phone] - http://lautenberg.senate.gov/webform.html

Robert Menendez (D-NJ) - [phone]

Mary Landrieu - [phone]

Tim Johnson (ND) - [phone]

Barack Obama (IL) - [phone]

Republican Lamar Alexander (R-TN) - moderate, possibly could be moved. TRY. [phone]

Ben Nelson (NE) originally stated he would vote Yes for Alito. But it looks like he is putting his finger in the wind. He is now taking calls and tallies as well: 202-224-6551 .

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. I have even Overnighted to Senator Byrd (with delivery conf.),

I have been doing this for about 32 hours straight now...and I don't intend on stopping until there's no reason to go on! :yourock:

[raysr]

6. Wrote to Byrd

and said he must've not ever read out of that book in his pocket he's always waving around.

[mom cat]

9. Now write him and ask him nicely to abstain on cloture and vote "no"

on the nuke!
His office was freeped. We can still elicit his support!

[fooj]

13. You are a true patriot, MrsGrumpy!

I salute you!:patriot:

Peace.

[AntiFascist]

17. Maybe we should be so bold as to tell the offices when we call...

that the senator will lose our support in future elections unless they decide to filibuster. That's what I'm telling Sen. Feinstein.

[AntiFascist]

18. AND WE WERE JUST NOW TOLD...

they just received word from the DC office that Sen. Feinstein WILL be supporting the filibuster!

:woohoo:

[mom cat]

25. Hot Damn. If we keep it up all weekend, we might change quite a few minds.

[mom cat]

21. Amen MrsGrumpy. Hey! What is Byrds' history of filibuster?

[mom cat]

7. Thanks... We have to scream that out too!

[MelissaB]

4. Now that's a positive way to look at it!

:applause:

[mom cat]

8. "They" are the ones who have to get 60 to block..... They might not be

able to do it. If there is such a groundswell this weekend, some Repubs might not feel comfortable blocking or nuking.

We just need 41 to vote against cloture, or abstain, or take a LONG lunch!

[BelgianMadCow]

10. Yes! K&R!! These options need to be suggested to all senators

Thanks for your post, brings some sense into it all.

[mom cat]

15. This is especially important for any fence sitters...Give them an out,

a way to "save face".
All they have to do is not be one of the 60 to close the debate.
They can do ANY of the following:

1. Vote with us
2.Abstain
3. Be absent

All three will work equally well.

Obviously we would like #1.

BUT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET OPTION 2 OR 3 FROM SOME REPUBLICANS WHO ARE MODERATE AND SOME DEMS WHO HAVE ALREADY DECLARED FOR ALITO.

ALSO...Tell everyone to oppose changing the rules.

[radio4progressives]

11. K&R Excellent Post! (keep this kicked)

:kick:

[BelgianMadCow]

12. I will

with pleasure

[Coexist]

14. me too.

[BelgianMadCow]

19. .

[BelgianMadCow]

23. .

[mom cat]

27. Thanks Belgian Mad Cow ...

This really MOOOOOOves me.
Sorry. I'm punchy.

[mom cat]

26. Thanks... There is more than one way to skin an elephant! (Not a

real liva pachyderm that is...)

[fooj]

16. Wouldn't hurt to share the results of the AOL poll re: SOTU!

Looks like the holdouts are setting up camp with a REAL LOSER!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2402214&mesg_id=2402214

Peace.

[mom cat]

20. Great Idea..."A vote for cloture chains you to a loser!"

[Wordie]

22. *Excellent* point! So glad you posted this. We are closer than we were

thinking! Thank you, mom cat!

:applause:

Does anybody have any idea what the numbers may look like in light of this new info?

Recommended!

[Silverhair]

24. No difference. NT

[confuddled]

28. Thanks for the clarification/education.

Inspired me to go ahead and contact all the wavering Democrats on a list I found here on DU. Lots of voice mail boxes full at this point, but resorted to email.

[kiteinthewind]

29. Local Offices!! CALL and FAX

I apologize, in advance, for the length of this post, but this is an emergency!
I know you are probably overwhelmed, as I am, with what is happening, but one
more time, PLEASE call the Democratic senators Monday toll-free at
1-877-851-6437. Tell them you SUPPORT the filibuster!! Word has it that due to
overwhelming response to the Alito situation, many Senators have full voicemails
or have turned them off due to all the calls!!! So below, I have listed
alternate local offices for the Senators we need to focus on THIS WEEKEND!!
Remember, a lot of people's cell phones have free weekends and most have free
long distance, so this weekend would be a great time to call and leave a
message, but still call on MONDAY, too!!! Kerry is leading the filibuster, but
there are several DEMS who need a kick in the hiney to SUPPORT THE FILIBUSTER!!
We need to call them, especially--They are:

Evan Bayh (IN)
Indianapolis
[phone]
Evansville
[phone]
Fort Wayne
[phone]
Hammond
[phone]
Jeffersonville
[phone]
South Bend
[phone]

Tim Johnson (SD)
Aberdeen
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Rapid City
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Sioux Falls
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Barbara Mikulski (MD)
Salisbury
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Greenbelt
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone] (fax)
Annapolis
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Hagerstown
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Baltimore
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Joseph Lieberman (CT)
Hartford
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Mary Landrieu (LA)
New Orleans
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Baton Rouge
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Shreveport
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Lake Charles
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Robert Byrd (WV) This is REALLY DISAPPOINTING!!
Charleston
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Ken Salazar (CO)
Denver
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Colorado Springs
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Fort Collins
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Fort Morgan
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Pueblo
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Durango
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Grand Junction
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Alamosa
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Ben Nelson (NE)
Omaha
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Lincoln
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Chadron
Phone [phone]
Scottsbluff
Phone [phone]

Daniel Akaka (HI)
Honolulu
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Hilo
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Joseph Biden (DE)
Wilmington
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Milford
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Byron Dorgan (ND)
Bismarck
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Grand Forks
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Fargo
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Minot
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Kent Conrad (ND)
Bismarck
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Fargo
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Grand Forks
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Minot
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Mark Pryor (AR)
Little Rock
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Barack Obama (IL)
Chicago
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Springfield
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Marion
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

In addition, there are two Pro-Choice Republicans who might possibly vote
against Alito, tho it is a longshot. STILL TRY!

Lincoln Chafee (RI) Talk about Alito's narrow view of a woman’s right to choose
and view of the Commerce Clause and his dissent ruling that Congress did not
have the authority to restrict the sale of machine guns.
Providence
Phone [phone]
Newport
Phone [phone]

Olympia Snowe (ME) Talk about preserving a woman's privacy and right to choose,
without 'permission' from her husband, whether or not to continue a pregnancy.
Auburn
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Augusta
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Bangor
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Biddeford
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Portland
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Presque Isle
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

And for good measure, Contact Arlen Specter (PA), Chair of the Judiciary,
Pro-Choice, and the Republican who immediately called for the congressional
hearing into the legality of the President's wiretapping without FISA warrant.
If Alito is confirmed, given his view of Unitary Executive Power, these hearings
will be moot, because Alito will back President Bush. Refer to this and to a
woman's right to choose to carry a pregnancy to term when you call or fax!!
Allentown
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Erie
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Harrisburg
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Philadelphia
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Pittsburgh
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Scranton
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Wilkes-Barre
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

As always, thanks for all you do, and remember that if there was EVER a time to
filibuster, ALITO is it!! This man is a danger to our country, our constitution,
our rights and his placement on the SCOTUS will ensure that Bush will continue
to trample over our liberties!! Remind the Democrats that their BASE, the
grassroots Dems, demand that they listen to us!!!

Filibuster Supporters Below:
No need to call for support, but maybe call and THANK them
for having a spine!

Barbara Boxer (D- CA) , 202-224-3553
Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) , 202-224-3841 (1,)
Christopher J. Dodd (D- CT), 202-224-2823 (1,)
Richard J. Durbin (D- IL) , 202-224-2152
John F. Kerry (D- MA) , 202-224-2742
Edward M. Kennedy (D- MA) , 202-224-4543
Paul S. Sarbanes (D- MD), 202-224-4524
Debbie A. Stabenow (D- MI) , 202-224-4822
Harry Reid (D- NV) , 202-224-3542
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY) , 202-224-4451
Charles Schumer (D- NY) , 202-224-6542
Ron Wyden (D- OR) , 202-224-5244
Russell D. Feingold (D- WI) , 202-224-5323
:dem: