NYT reports NO Dems defended Alito, but were afraid of "political cost of

[flpoljunkie]

being accused of obstructionism by conservatives." And yet again, we look like "wimpy" Democrats who refuse to stand up for their convictions--let alone their constituents. When Bush's base had a fit about Harriet Miers and demanded her nomination be withdrawn, Bush complied. Will the Democrats have the sense to listen to their base?

A John Kerry said in South Bend, Indiana, near the end of the campaign, “Give me a chance, so I can look you
in the eye and say, ‘I got your back.’ Senators, give us a chance, and we will stand with you!

http://www.southend.wayne.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=456


By last week it was clear that the judge had enough votes to win confirmation. And the last gasp of resistance came in a Democratic caucus meeting on Wednesday when Senator Edward M. Kennedy, joined by Senator John Kerry, both of Massachusetts, unsuccessfully tried to persuade the party to organize a filibuster.

No one defended Judge Alito or argued that he did not warrant opposition, Mr. Kennedy said in an interview. Instead, opponents of the filibuster argued about the political cost of being accused of obstructionism by conservatives.


http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/30/politics/politicsspecial1/30alito.html?ei=5094&en=bfc3689aa0095c06&hp=&ex=1138683600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

[rainy]

1. The bullies win as usual. "but, but, they will call us names

and the press will grind it in and we will be ridiculed."
You know it is harder to stand up when you know the press will rip you up and allow the bully to keep on going. But our leaders must stand up and fight anyway. That is usually when the bully runs. We just never push hard enough.

[Mountainman]

2. I want obstructionist Democrats. I have no use for the other kind. n/t

[Warpy]

3. If they can't be bothered to stand up for the people

and for their country, let them sit on their asses at home.

Fire them.

[no_more_rhyming]

8. post = tagline

:-)

[KoKo]

4. NYT's says the Conservatives immediately swamped the press

His supporters deluged news organizations with phone calls, press releases and lawyers to interview, all noting that on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Judge Alito had voted to uphold and to strike down abortion restrictions.

Democrats contended that those arguments were irrelevant because on the lower court Judge Alito was bound by Supreme Court precedent, whereas as a justice he could vote to overturn any precedents with which he disagreed.

[endarkenment]

5. Obstruct Fascism. NT.

[Surya Gayatri]

6. Just what is it they don't get about

the words 'OPPOSITION Party' or the verb 'to oppose'? :eyes: SG

[LisaLynne]

7. That points out the problem right there.

They're more afraid of being called names and ridiculed in the press than of us, their base, the people they're working for. They think the only consequence is that the conservatives will blast them. Well, I think we need to change that. We need to let them know that if they don't start working for us and for our values, there will be consequences, and it won't be name calling. It's going to be criticism with substance and it could cost them their precious little seats in Congress. :grr:

I support the Democratic Party, but when I hear crap like this, it makes me sick.