"They should vote like Dems" vs. "They should vote as their consitutents

[eyesroll]

want."

This has been bugging me for awhile.

When we want a Democrat (especially one in a Republican state) to vote against Alito and filibuster, we tell them to start acting like Dems.

When we want a so-called moderate Republican (especially one in a Democratic state) to vote against Alito and filibuster, we tell them to drop the party line and vote as their constuents want them to.


Questions for discussion:

IF (and this is purely hypothetical) actual residents of South Dakota and Nebraska overwhelmingly prefer that their Senators vote to confirm Alito, should they?
Or is party loyalty more important?

IF (and this is purely hypothetical) actual residents of Maine and Rhode Island overwhelmingly prefer that their Senators vote to reject Alito, or sustain a filibuster, should they?
Or is party loyalty more important?

Is this an acceptable double standard?

Is this an effective persuasive technique?


I really don't have a good answer. I'd like to see the man kept out of the SCOTUS as much as you do. But I do wonder what people feel, in a broader context, is the job of a Senator -- to represent his or her constituents (in-state) or the views of their party?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I'm consistent on this. Elected officials represent constituents.

That is their stated job. Period. I will never hang a red-state Democrat for not toeing the line if it means keeping or not keeping his job. We need every seat we can get.

[XNASA]

7. You're describing a Democrat.

In the old days, that was the major difference between the two parties. Dems vote according to the wishes of their constituents. The Republican line is that once voted in, you're free to make decisions on your own.

It's also the diffence between a Democracy and a Republic.

[The Magistrate]

2. It Is Fairly Simple, Ma'am

What is to our side's benefit is good, and properly pressed by any argument that comes to hand: what is to the enemy's benefit is bad, and whatever argument is used to press for it is wrong and reprehensible. This is the only consistency in successful political action....

"I am a man of principles, and chief among them is flexibility."

[BillZBubb]

3. Not a good point in this case.

How does a Senator really know what a majority of his constituents want? I'd bet even in red states that if people were aware of Alito's stand on an all powerful executive, his subservience to business interests, and his anti-environmentalism they'd want him stopped from a lifetime appointment.

Democratic Senators ALL know what a snake Alito is and of his fascist view of the Constitution. Their constituents don't.

They should do the right thing and stop Alito at all costs.

[jsamuel]

4. the secret is that their constituents want them to vote like Dems

[eyesroll]

5. Whose consituents?

The Democrats?
The Republicans?
Both?

[Leopolds Ghost]

6. Doesn't matter. If every Democrat Who OPPOSES Alito Voted to Filibuster

...The Filibuster would continue.

It is the Democrats who oppose Alito, who nevertheless support cloture,

that you should be worried about.

PARTY DISCIPLINE SHOULD APPLY to Senators who are not voting for Alito
anyway, if they vote "yes" on cloture and then flip flop.

Why is this so hard for so many people to understand?