The Strategic Mistake of a Decade

[blazerunner]

The Strategic Mistake of a Decade.

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=12&year=2010&base_name=the_strategic_mistake_of_a_dec

Now that the Senate has killed DADT repeal, I wonder if anyone remembers this?

In the nuclear option — some supporters call it the “constitutional” option — Bill Frist would push through a rules change that would eliminate Senate filibusters for judicial nominees.

Democrats have been using filibuster threats, a promise to stall a nomination through extended debate, on 10 Bush judicial nominees. Such a threat requires 60 votes to overcome. The Senate did confirm 204 of the president’s 214 trial and appellate judicial nominees.

Taking away the filibuster would mean Republicans would need 50 votes to confirm judges, well within the number of their 55-member caucus.

Democrats and moderate Republicans responded with a "Gang of 12" that would preserve the judicial filibuster while allowing some of Bush's nominees to go through. In retrospect -- with two years of Obama's presidency behind us -- I think we can safely say that Democrats made a huge mistake. I'm sure there are plenty of Senate Democrats who look back and wish that they would have let Frist go nuclear; they could have used the end of the judicial filibuster to eliminate the general filibuster, and save themselves a little bit of heartache and struggle.


wow, I forgot about that

[FrenchieCat]

1. When we are in the minority, we want to be able to stop the majority......

and the same goes for them.

It's called the two party system......except for the filibuster has been
overused by the Republicans....and they may have done so in hopes that
they can get rid of the filibuster for good......for the next time
they get into power. After all, Republicans do already own the media,
so without the filibuster, the next time round, they won't be stopped.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. only thing is - for the most part 'we' didn't.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Yep. Democrats have not been as ruthless as the Republicans for a long time

Democrats see themselves as reasonable,
and Republicans don't give a fuck, cause they've got the corporate media
to use for cover.

[Warren Stupidity]

4. half of our party openly collaborates

which is why we are in this fucked up position.

[alsame]

5. Yes, that's the big problem. nt

[ncteechur]

6. Maybe it's because we believe that it is important to really govern, not just obstruct

yep, that's it.

[JamesA1102]

7. The GOP have totally abused the process