GOP wants 'nuclear option on filabuster' to continue their culture

[BR_Parkway]

of corruption.

We should start saying this now, saying it often and every time a Dem is interviewed. Before the constant drumbeat of Alito - upordown, upordown by every talking head shill out there.

Let's frame the issue FIRST for once, to where they don't dare even think about doing away with the filabuster.

[Strawman]

1. They'd better think twice about that

There could be a tidal wave in the making that sweeps them out of power with all these scandals. The environment is not the same as it was even 6 months ago when they were going to try this initially.

Once they violate that taboo, we might counter by breaking the taboo on court packing when we regain power. Nothing could stop us as long as we had a Senate majority and a President with the guts to do it. If they want to play that way, we can too.

We should start threatening that. If they want to make the Judiciary an arm of the Republican party, well, then we'll have to make it an arm of the Democratic Party when we regain power. It sure would be nice if that didn't have to happen, but if that's what they really want. I'm sure we can find three young liberal jurists to put on the SCOTUS.

[BR_Parkway]

2. Impeach most of the SCOTUS and install our own? mind boggling

Bill Clinton for Cheif Justice - just to see OxyRush's head explode
Judge that heard O'reilly's sexual harassment lawsuit
Judge that refused to throw out DeLay's money laundering charge
Judge that resigned from FISA over NSA scandal
Patrick Fitzgerald

That would do it for me!

[Strawman]

3. That would require a larger majority, I think, to impeach

Just pack the court. That's easy in a post-nuclear option world.

If the Repugs weren't on such shaky ground they might try it first. I mean after all why aren't these anti-abortion zealots and fundie footsoldiers who have carried the GOP's water for the past 25 years demanding that they deliver and do this? With the nuclear option they could add enough justices to shift the balance and overturn Roe v. Wade in a matter of months. Why is there no urgency on their part to save the lives of all these babies that are going to be aborted if they really think it's murder?

[regnaD kciN]

4. Sorry to throw cold water on this...

...but, if Alito gets confirmed, that will cement a right-wing court for decades to come. Any future Democratic Congress and President might be able to fill a few vacancies currently held by liberals, but that would only assure a lot of 5-4 decisions in favor of conservative causes instead of 6-3 or 7-2. Lose on Alito, and that's all she wrote.

And, you're right. To impeach SCOTUS members would require Dems to have a 2/3 majority in the Senate. It ain't ever gonna happen.

:-(

[Strawman]

5. Of course it's not likely

But in a post-nuclear option world where Dems had the Presidency and the Senate, all it would take is political will by Senate Dems and the President.

Needless to say, I don't think it will happen. More than enough of them will lay down on Alito and be "above partisan politics."

Personally, I'd prefer a little partisan politics to decades of a RW judiciary. So I'm engaging in a bit of fantasy here with this hypothetical.