A filibuster would not have been a big deal. That's the frustration.

[Armstead]

IMO the real frustration in the instant defeat of the filibuster is that it was ultimately not all that consequential. It is not likely that a filibuster would have ultimately prevented Alito's confirmation.

The Republicans knew that. Their attacks on a filibuster was just daring the Democrats to a game of chicken.

I'm NOT saying it was unimportant. In symbolic terms, it was VERY important as a sign of life from the Democratic Party. It would have demonstrated that the Democrats are willing to do everything possible to fight back. And it would have been a way to advance the awareness of what the real meaning of Right Wing GOP Politics to the average person.

So it should not have been such an uphill battle just to get the Democrats to pursue it. It should have come naturally.

We should have -- could have -- taken this fight to the wall, regardless of the outcome. Why? Because one of the biggest challenges facing Democrats is to restore the image (and reality) as a party of fighters, who will do everything possible to defend the interests of the majority of the population.

It's good that so many Democrats did vote "No" this morning. But the filibuster could have been part of a real fight, instead of a demonstration of weakness and disarray.

[Grateful for Hope]

1. Good post

I liked this in particular:

"It's good that so many Democrats did vote "No" this morning."

I guess I choose to stay with this as I don't know what was in the minds of the dems who chose to vote for Cloture.

This WAS a much greater fight than we had against Roberts, and, I am holding onto this as a sign that our dem reps are becoming more willing to fight.

I think that we will see just how much they are willing to fight in the months ahead.

I hope this is not just wishful thinking.

[Armstead]

2. Let's hope it isn't so hard next time

If the next time they are tending towards caving in on something they will take a minute and actually ask "How will our base react to this?" instead of asking "How will the Republicans and media react?"