BREAKING: Ignoring Deal, Frist to File for Cloture on Myers

[Pirate Smile]

"BREAKING: Ignoring Deal, Frist to File for Cloture on Myers
In the deal struck yesterday evening, negotiators agreed that two judicial nominees - William G. Myers and Henry Saad - “will be filibustered or withdrawn.”

Last night, Frist indicated he would abide by the agreement:

Mr. President, a lot has been said about the uniqueness of this body. And, indeed, our Senate is unique. And we all, as individuals and collectively as a body, have a role to play in ensuring its cherished nature remains intact.

And, indeed, as demonstrated by tonight’s agreement and by the ultimate implementation of that agreement, we have done just that.

But Congress Daily PM reports that Frist has other ideas for later in the week:

Senate Majority Leader Frist will file for cloture on President Bush’s nomination of William Myers to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later this week, according to sources on and off Capitol Hill, wasting no time in testing the resolve of 14 Republican and Democratic senators who forced at least a temporary halt to the battle over Democratic filibusters of President Bush’s judicial picks.

That didn’t take long. "

http://thinkprogress.org/index.php?p=956

Diary on this on DK

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/24/191927/075

" As Armando notes below, this isn't about the Nuclear Option being put on the table again -- it isn't. What it is about is a divided Republican party...and a perfect example of Frist catering to the extreme Right.

Let's repeat the talking point we've been given here -- that Frist is breaking the compromise made by moderates from both sides of the aisle.

It's an example of Frist's ugly partisanship, his allegiance to Dobson, as well as his LACK OF CONTROL over his own caucus. "

OK! Lets make the wedge between the Republican factions as big as possible.

edit to add - this doesn't break the deal reached between the 7 Dems and 7 Repubs. The "Breaking" was included in the headline about this, i.e. Breaking News not breaking the deal. The deal isn't broken, except for in Frist's dreams.

[CTLawGuy]

1. no it didn't

not at all.

[SpiralHawk]

20. Feeeeeel the Joementum of bullshit

So totally squishy n' stuff

[CTLawGuy]

30. Joe is a douchebag

I hope I someday get to yell at him for this insult of a "compromise"

[Boo Boo]

60. Joe gives douchebags a bad name /nt

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

66. Lie down with dogs. Wake up with fleas...

[chomskysright]

110. you're killing me...

[dbonds]

54. Joes got a bit of the Palpatin look going there.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

98. You don't know Zell Miller, do you? (nt)

[bemildred]

2. Yippee. Bring it on.

Let's have a real political fight, instead of all this sham bullshit.

[confludemocrat]

89. I feel a wake-up call coming for those who like the deal: they will cave

When have any of these 14 people truly risked anything in their political lives to even come close to any profile in courage type achievement?

Well, there you go, If Frist does it, they will cave.

[Cocoa]

3. let's see how the 14 hold up

I don't have very high hopes, I'm not impressed with the group, but we'll see how they respond to this move by Frist...

[hopein08]

40. Who's the most likely (of the 14) to cave?

Opinions?

I would have to say Chafee. The other Repubs seem pretty set. The Dems should (I hope) stick together.

[Supersedeas]

111. McCAIN !!! He has been emphasizing that ONLY extraordinary reasons

can justify a judicial filibuster.

It was a qualified agreement at best!

Frist, Bush, and Dobson have to have their showdown.

McCain will cave AND use the 'extraordinary' language as his disclaimer!!!

[Fridays Child]

44. The fourteen may vote as they see fit on the question of cloture...

...for Myers and Saad. The memorandum of understanding is explicit on this point. Nobody expected that cloture wouldn't come up for these two. What would be remarkable, though, would be if any of the fourteen "cross the aisle" on either motion.

[Pirate Smile]

47. So, I guess this is the way it would go down:

Frist will file for cloture, and they'll take a vote, and he will lose, when he loses that vote, he can go nuclear (if he likes), and at some point he'll move to table a point of order, and they'll vote on that, and he'll lose again.

Go for it!

[BadNews]

67. He wants the "moderate" Repubs on the record one way or another.

It puts them in a bad, bad spot. Break the deal, or break with the party on an issue the base is fired up about? McCain is safe from a challenge in the primaries. How is the resolve of the other 6.

With luck, more than these 7 will vote against Frist. Then he does go down in flames.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

85. Sure. Frist is playing to the Religious right.

John McCain was one who probably gained the most in the compromise. If Frist wants to be the Republican Presidential nominee in 2008 he'll have to knock McCain down a notch.

[Norquist Nemesis]

97. He also wants to screw the 7 moderate Dems

Forcing them, they'll be tallying up points for character assassination on those 7 Dems up for re-election as well. They'll be able to guage how extreme an opposition candidate needs to be.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

4. Oh, isn't that special? Guess I had better clean out the bomb

shelter and take in supplies - this is gonna be fun.

Now we separate the Senators from the flunkies.

[Birthmark]

5. The deal hasn't been broken

Frist can't break the deal. Only the Republicans that signed onto the compromise can break the deal. If they vote to invoke cloture, then all hell should break loose. My prediction: They won't. Frist is pissing in the wind.

[Goldeneye]

13. I think you're right.

[Orangepeel]

14. posturing for the primary (n/t)

[Birthmark]

19. I think that you're right.

He was shown to be an ineffective leader last night. He now must try something desperate to get back in the game. Otherwise, 2008 is lost for him before it's even begun. It won't work. Frist is toast.

[Pirate Smile]

15. Right. He is just challenging the 7 Republicans to uphold their side

of the bargain. He wants to make it hell for them.

Oh, well, so sad to see a party fighting amongst themselves. :evilgrin:

[Birthmark]

22. Yeah.

I've had tears running down my face all day. :D

[tavalon]

87. I wonder how many

family pets will be threatened this week? Or family members? Or Senators?

Frist is the leader of the Repug mafia and that's how the mafia works.

[Norquist Nemesis]

100. But he's also sticking it to the Dems

This is a power play and he's showing how tough (meaning shitty) he can be. Those 7 Dems have made statements over the past two days about what they believe and how they would've voted. He wants them on the record, too!

[kohodog]

58. Actually I think he's pissing himself

Does this asshole actually think he's presidential material? He's exposing his small minded point of view to everyone and given a fair election he'd be buried by just about anyone. And I think it unlikely that Big Biz would support him. They'd rather have a Clinton any day.

But not me. I haven't seen anyone on the horizon that I'll get behind at this point. The Republicans have over stepped. Our biggest problem lies with the media, I think, and they're not likely to change their allegiance.

[sendero]

75. Small mindedness..

... never stopped anyone from gaining the presidency.

Having the charisma of a snail has. I'd love for Frist, that monotonous, boring, uninspriring pile of doodoo, to get the Rep nomination. That my friends, would be sweet.

[ginnyinWI]

76. well I can see where he got the idea he's presidential material

Just look at what is in the WH now! :eyes:

[bunny planet]

115. Can I remind you of the current stellar example of 'presidential material'

we have sitting in the WH for the second time in a row.

If His Fraudulency can be President, anyone can.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

6. im just speechless

not cause im surprised frist is an asshat, but at how fast this AMAZING comprimise lasted! great job R/DINO 14!

on edit: at least the republicans are getting torn apart by this...

[Pirate Smile]

29. The compromise isn't broken. Frist is just going to challenge them

to abide by it.

How can they back down now? They can't but it will just piss off the Republicans more to see them do it. hee heee hee.

[meganmonkey]

46. I just gotta say....

I love your smilie
:smoke:

[EST]

72. Slightly off subj.

I am not familiar with the writing-could you make up a much needed smilie and maybe offer it to Skinner? The one we have the greatest need for is a sadly shaking head...

[arcos]

7. bwhahaha!! Bring it on! nt

[whistle]

8. Yep Dobson has Frist by the balls and the short hairs of his ass..

[splat@14]

52. and aint gonna turn loose for a better grip! n/t

[whistle]

90. I guess not

[ernstbass]

106. Dobson may take the belt to Frist

as he did with his dog!!

[tishaLA]

9. Frist's idea of theatre

My idea of pathetic.

[dbonds]

10. Of course he wants to break the deal. The deal neuterred him.

He is not going to go off the bigger plan (to get rid of filibuster so bush can push through radical right supreme court judges) because of a few centrist. He will go down fighting. This will increase the rift in the republican party and eventually lead to some type of split.

[Merlin]

11. Emergency! Calling Doctor Frist! Calling Doctor Frist!

Your '08 candidacy has just gone terminal. Even life support cannot save it. You have offended those to whom you sold your withered soul. Mr. Dobson has pulled your plug.

[silverweb]

17. *LOL*

Well said! I think Frist is now in NO CODE status.

:D

[merwin]

34. Well. We know what to do. Keep him alive in his vegetative state!

[anitar1]

41. Priceless post, Merlin. I am laughing between sobs. n/t

[chomskysright]

112. OMG: & HCA closed Memphis's biggest trauma unit!! Just in knick of time...

He (his company - HCA Healthcare Corp) closed the busiest Trauma Center in our city -- then held up the County Supervisors to pay him to build a new one at the Alexian Brothers substance abuse rehab center that he (his company - HCA Healthcare Corp) bought.

from DU'er on another post today. someone from Memphis trying to cook his goose.

waaaaaa: ain't that too bad.

[Solly Mack]

12. Nothing like waiting and seeing...

[DS1]

16. From now on I'm inserting a Shuttle Booster Rocket O-Ring in my anus

It'll make the constant ass-fucking I'm getting as a Dem less painful. :eyes:

[Solly Mack]

25. Don't forget the astro-glide!

:)

[DS1]

28. It doesn't matter anymore

Can't feel much of thing.

[0007]

95. Is a "Shuttle Booster Rocket O-Ring" somthing like a butt plug?

[americanstranger]

18. What you're seeing here

is Frist trying to fish his balls out of the Senate toilet, where McCain tossed them after removing them last night.

Frist doesn't have the backing for this. He's trying to prove his bona-fides to Dobson's Jeebo-monsters.

This is great. I want to see him slapped down on the Senate floor.

-as

[Mr_Spock]

64. Onward Fristian soldiers!

How did one politial party get infected with so many retards anyway?

[chomskysright]

113. "Marching as to War": ALL together now:....

Onward Fristian Soldiers (taken from the St. Gertrude version)

Onward Fristian Soldiers
Marching as to war
as resources dwindle
and there are no more

Frist, the royal master
leads agains the foe
forward into battle
armor-less we go



ALL together now on the chorus:

Onward Fristian soldiers
Marching as to war
the wealthy pay no taxes
banking is off-shore

dedicated to: waltzing Karl Rove (waltzing with WHO you might ask) who reportedly hums this whilst cheating, lying, and manipulating his way through his White House chores.

[Mr_Spock]

117. LOL - very good...

Let's all sing that at our next march...

[Gothmog]

21. Nuclear Option can not be used for these two nominees

Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the nuclear option can not be used for these two nominees. Frist is testing the resolve of the seven gop senators to see if they will actually vote against the nuclear option. I think that Frist will lose this vote.

[nine30]

23. Frist got his marching orders this morning

He called Rush's office before the show, Rush himself said.

[xultar]

57. I could tell that he got his orders too because he wants Bolton on

the schedule this week.

Frist wasn't in a hurry to do Bolton until now.

[Norquist Nemesis]

102. LOL! "Doing Bolton"

Sorry...just struck me as funny.

But you're correct! He's been given orders to ram everything through as quickly as possible. Let's see...things going really bad over in Iraq, even Laura gets greeted with protests from both sides when she visits Israel, Bush's numbers are down, gas is about to rise again for summer mix standards, and what do we have? Tra la la la la...look over here, or there!

It's getting really hard to keep track of this with all of the bullshit they're slamming at the wall.

[meow2u3]

104. Doing Bolton?! I wonder how many Repunks are,,,,,

closet gays? Especially Frist, who wears his false religion on his sleeve?

[chomskysright]

114. TALKING PTS: on Bolton: (Frist is in a hurry now):.....

If Frist does push Bolton on Wednesday, look for a debate on the motion to proceed unfolding on Wednesday and Thursday morning -- with a vote scheduled for Thursday.
So much for the Bill Kristol call to Senator Frist that Democrats and Republicans agree to unlimited floor debate on John Bolton's merits and shortcomings for this important position in the United Nations.
More to come. (from: http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/

So, what do we have we can use as points to stop Bolton:

item 1: HE ASSISTED IN STOPPING THE FL RECOUNT IN 2000 AND HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS:

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/041505D.shtml#1

"I'm with the Bush-Cheney team, and I'm here to stop the count."
Those were the words John Bolton yelled as he burst into a Tallahassee library on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000, where local election workers were recounting ballots cast in Florida's disputed presidential race between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
Bolton was one of the pack of lawyers for the Republican presidential ticket who repeatedly sought to shut down recounts of the ballots from Florida counties before those counts revealed that Gore had actually won the state's electoral votes and the presidency.

item 2: BOLTON HAS REPETITIVELY OBSTRUCTED THE ABILITY OF CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE HIS SHARING OF TOP-SECRET INFORMATION IN ORDER TO PAVE THE WAY FOR A WAR IN IRAQ:

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/
".....if Bolton did share information or revelations from the intercepts, then American national security may have been undermined by Bolton's actions.
Without the intercept material, it is very difficult to compare Bolton's base of knowledge about the people and circumstances of some target the NSA was watching and what Bolton did either publicly or privately with the information he learned. In other words, if he shared such information with the Vice President's office, or with other officials across the government, then serious violations of protocol occurred...."

ITEM 3: MODERATE REPUBLICANS HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR SUPPORT OF BOLTON re: BOLTON'S INABILITY TO ACT IN A DIPLOMATIC MANNER, SOMETHING WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO UNDERMINE A WORLD COMMUNITY:


George Voinovich (R-PA):
"....I have based my decision on what I think is the bigger picture. Frankly, there is a particular concern that I have about this nomination, and it involves the big picture of U.S. public diplomacy. ...what message are we sending to the world community when in the same breath we have sought to appoint an ambassador to the United Nations who himself has been accused of being arrogant, of not listening to his friends, of acting unilaterally, of bullying those who do not have the ability to properly defend themselves? These are the very characteristics that we're trying to dispel in the world community.


ITEM 4: BOLTON MISLEAD THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: DOES THE SENATE WANT TO SUPPORT SOMEONE THAT WILL NOT TELL THEM THE TRUTH?

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/bolton.pdf
VI. MISLEADING THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The record before the Committee demonstrates that Under Secretary Bolton did not live up to his reputation as a "straight-talker" during his testimony to the Committee. He made several statements to the Committee that were contradicted by others, at odds with available evidence, and may be fairly described as misleading, disingenuous or non-responsive

THESE ARE THE SENATORS ON THE FENCE RE: BOLTON:


May 23, 2005

Rumors Abound that Frist May Push Bolton on Wednesday -- Calling for Thursday Vote
Just when everything was looking so clear.

There are rumors swirling now that Frist may push the Bolton nomination on Wednesday this week. Since Barbara Boxer has a public hold -- and there are also private holds -- on the Bolton nomination, Frist would call for a "motion to proceed" on Bolton, which he can win on a simple majority.


but folks should keep in mind that calls to Senator Ben Nelson, : 202) 224-5274


Olympia Snowe, 202) 224-5344


Chuck Hagel, 202) 224-4224


Lincoln Chafee, 202) 224-2921


Susan Collins, 202) 224-2523


Arlen Spector, 202) 224-4254


Pete Domenici 202) 224-6621

[WMliberal]

24. he isn't breaking it. He was never privvy to it.

His allegiance is to the extreme right, since they control the source of his ability to fundraise and draw votes (esp if he's thinking about 2008). So thinking from his POV, "That was their deal, not mine. Fuck em' and let's see if we can break 'em while we're at it."

If he can't break the compromise (done completely against his every effort.), it shows he can't even control his own when the chips are down. Shit. LIEBERMAN showed more spine under the current circumstances!

[rodeodance]

27. Buchanan said there was a lack of leadership from Frist on

Hardball tonight. He is might angry at Frist--

[WMliberal]

32. lack of leadership is an understatement.

Frist has shown a lack of gravitas in dealing with his own party. Shit, we're not even dealing with a Supreme Court nominee or landmark legislation. As weak as Lott was, at least he could do arm-twisting and nose-counting. Our senators have broken him before it even mattered.

[Pithy Cherub]

26. Is this a one-time attempt or more of establishing

a pattern of bucking the moderates. Dobson has rode Frist hard and now Frist has to be put away (daily) wet!

This is going to give beautiful Dem talking points about republicans:cry: can't keep their words faithful or bonds trusting and here are all the examples...

:popcorn:

[guruoo]

31. Frist has backed himself into to a corner

He's placed himself in a position where he'll have
no choice but to go against the agreement.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Senator Bill Frist
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 7:49 PM
> Subject: Constitutional Option Alive As Democrats Crack On Judges
>
>
>
> As promised, an update on the judicial nominee front ...
>
> Last night, an arrangement was reached by fourteen of my colleagues. I was not a party to it, and here's why...
>
> I do not agree with it because it does not get the job done of ensuring fair, up or down votes on all judicial nominees sent to the Senate by the President.
>
> It is my firm belief that--on principle--all judicial nominees deserve an up or down vote on the floor of the United States Senate.
>
> The new understanding, if followed in good faith, affirms my principle to some extent. It marks some break in the partisan obstruction of the past two years, and ensures that seven outstanding jurists-including Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor--will get the fair up or down votes they have long deserved.
>
> But it does not grant fairness to all other jurists. It still allows mindless filibusters to be triggered at the whim of a minority more interested in obstruction than progress.
>
> And that is a shame.
>
> So make no mistake, the Constitutional Option remains on the table. If the minority again acts in bad faith--if they resume their campaign of mindless judicial obstruction--I will NOT hesitate to call it to a vote.
>
> Not for a second.
>
> For too long on judicial nominees, the filibuster was abused to facilitate partisanship, and subvert principle.
>
> We have exposed the injustice of judicial obstruction in the last Congress, and advanced the core Constitutional principle that all judicial nominees deserve a fair up or down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
>
> So the Senate will begin to execute this arrangement, with a vote up or down on Priscilla Owen. Giving up their minority-party led obstructionism, the Senate invoked cloture on her today by a vote of 81-18. Priscilla Owen--after four years, two weeks and two days--will finally receive the fair, up or down vote she deserves.
>
> And, mark my words, more judges like her will follow in the days ahead. I hope the minority will respect the will of the majority, and give judges the courtesy, the respect, of a fair, up or down vote.
>
> Bill Frist

[Tesla]

39. I'm tellin ya, they are getting rid of Frist

to run...PICKLES!!!!

[renaissanceguy]

82. Hey, I'd take Pickles anyday

over that nutjob


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.16434726

[wtmusic]

45. He's taking a big risk

All or nothing. You can bet there were some nasty phone calls last night from the Holy Rollers.

[Tesla]

50. I love that!!!!

[Fridays Child]

33. This is how Frist will bring the "errant seven" back into the fold...

...and restore party unity. The seven Republicans can (and probably will) vote in favor of cloture on Myers, as the memorandum of understanding gives them that option. The fundy right wing extremists will, then, forgive them and everyone will be back on message.

But this move by Frist has no bearing on the parties' agreement re: the nuclear option.

[Gloria]

38. Friday's Child, that's what I wrote last night....that it might be a setup

All the wailing from the Dobson crowd, then Repugs will get back on message pronto. They will rally around and the Dobsons etc will be mollified and all will be good. Dobson gains in clout. Republicans looked rational for a moment, then go back to their old ways. People have short memories and want to be spun. So, this "agreement" was but a momentary blip in the Frist/Bush/Rove/freak right juggernaut.

[Fridays Child]

51. Agreed. The compromise created only a small crack in the GOP facade.

The real challenge will be to widen that crack.

For one thing, it helped to identify a small group of Republicans within the party, each of whom should be further exploited. And, if Frist manages to smooth things over, it could work to our advantage by showing those seven Republicans that, if they did it once, they can do it again. We know how they love to feel that they are all-powerful. Someone smart needs to appeal to the sense of power it gave them.

[Gloria]

35. And yet...as revealed on Randi's show today--there is a Democratic

Senator who will break ranks and vote for Owen.....Which just shows you that apparently, Reid can't control stupid, dimwitted, trusting Democrats even in this climate, with a guy like Frist asskissing Bush and Dobson.

When do the Dems begin to understand that no Republican deal can be trusted?? EVER?????? Do the Dems really think that the 7 who broke with Frist will have the integrity/balls to stay solid??? Did they really believe that??

[davidinalameda]

81. it's Nelson of Nebraska

such a wonderful example of Democratic leadership

:puke:

[Inland]

36. That's so incredibly stupid of him.

The 12 have already declared that they aren't going to support a cloture vote.

He is setting up a clear division, breaking his word, and going to lose---and it's obvious that it does it because of the fristian pressure groups, not any particular ideal.

[Fridays Child]

37. No. Here's what the agreement says about that...

B. Status of Other Nominees. Signatories make no commitment to vote for or against cloture on the following judicial nominees: William Myers (9th Circuit) and Henry Saad (6th Circuit).

[Inland]

48. OK, correction.

The twelve aren't going to support the nuke option, meaning Frist is going to lose on the cloture vote.

He loses. He may not get fifty.

And it's losing that pubbies can't stand. Half their political power is in the sense of inevitability.

[alcibiades_mystery]

68. Cloture vote is not the nuke option

They will vote for cloture. If they don't get 60 to support, then the nuke option will be exercised. You might have all seven Republicans vote for cloture, and vote against the nuke option, as per the agreement. Or, more likely, five of the Dems will vote for cloture and it will go to a floor vote on the nominee. I can't imagine that the group didn't make a concrete plan about what to do with these nominees should Frist force the issue.

[Guaranteed]

99. What that means is we can still filibuster with our 43 or 44 senators.

A cloture vote is 60 votes. It specifically SAYS that we haven't committed to voting for cloture on those two senators in the agreement, so we're most DEFINITELY allowed to do it.

[meganmonkey]

42. Ha!

:o

This could get interesting. I would MUCH rather see this shit get played out on the Senate floor than in back room deals.

[TexasLawyer]

43. Election fraud, media control and the "nuclear option"

I posted something similar to this in a thread on the 2004 elections board, but thought I'd also mention it here too.

Doesn't it seem odd that the Rethugs these days do not seem to worry about the effects of extreme positions?

Back in the day, politicians used to care about public perception of political overreaching. If a party pressed its views too aggressively or pushed ideas that were too far out of the mainstream (e.g., let's go into massive debt to fund tax cuts for the rich and a war we don't need to fight), they were likely to pay the price at the polls. Newt Gingrich was the poster boy for this concept.

To much of the country, the Republicans now appear to be drunk with power, to be grievously overreaching on almost all the issues-- big and small, to be short on principle (what ever happened to fiscal responsibility, for example?) and to be even shorter on ethics (DeLay, etc...).

If we don't have enough hints already that elections can be and have been rigged, and that the media can be, and has been, effectively neutralized, Republican willingness to take the huge step of "going nuclear" and getting rid of the filibuster offers one more hint. "Going nuclear" is political overreaching with a capital O.

From the perspective of those who suspect election fraud and media complicity, it sure looks like these politicians know that they will not have to worry about getting voted out of office for overreaching. IF they remain Rove's lapdogs their futures in office are secure. Going against the party will mean losing, in the next primary, to a more doctrinaire, lock-step party man.

Also, the Republicans do not seem overly concerned that some day the political tables will turn and Republicans will be the party in the minority. Grover Norquist's recent comments on how Republicans are now a permanent majority, and how Democrats will be like neutered pets that will never again pose a serious political threat or roadblock to Republican objectives, become scarier and scarier in this regard. Where does all this confidence come from?:sarcasm:

Do Republicans KNOW that they will never again need the filibuster because they KNOW that, from now on, they own the media and the voting booths?

[dusty64]

78. Your post is

exactly what I've been thinking also. VERY scary shit!

[AmBlue]

79. Let's hope The Fourteen...

have the interests of the people at heart. If they do, they should turn, first and foremost, to the issue of election fraud and give our man Conyers some help where it counts. We shall see...

[DivinBreuvage]

93. While you may certainly be right that they know the electoral system

is "in the bag", at the same time there is not necessarily anything sinister in this behavior. They are ideologues, not pragmatists, and ideologues are by nature prone to overreach.

[reality based]

49. Will Cheney make the nuclear ruling on this nomination?

In other words is the administration a party to this manuever? Or is it only a cloture vote that will require a 3/5ths vote? The Dobsonites will want to know.

[Erika]

53. The GOP House of Cards is falling down

Frist is flip-flopping and has been cut off at the knees. He's going to look unreasonable.

[kohodog]

62. Unreasonable is perfectly acceptable in a fascist state.

Their hubris will bring them down. I think they believe in their power prematurely. The type of election fraud they've perpertrated can only take them so far at this point. As long as they keep things close they can beg, buy and steal elections. But if they over-reach theywill be exposed. I believe they are too full of themselves and heading for a fall.

[Beetwasher]

55. BEST FUCKING THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED!

This is fantastic!

He will fail miserably and I will laugh like hell.

[Pirate Smile]

56. and he will continue to further divide and piss off his Party. GREAT!

[Boo Boo]

65. Yeah, you might be right about that

If we were really 2 votes away like Reid said, and now these moderate Repubs have publicly declared themselves and given their word on a deal, it's going to be tough for them to back away. If Frist really does this it would be a real slap in the face and would seem to make it even more likely that Bush/Rove/Frist will suffer a major defeat.

If events were to play out like this, and end in victory, Reid and the centrist Dems that brokered this deal are going end up looking like geniuses. No shit.

This is getting rather interesting!
:popcorn:

[Fridays Child]

59. For anyone who hasn't read the Memorandum of Understanding...

...it can be found here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1494887

[guruoo]

61. NYT: Business Groups Tire of GOP Focus On Social Issues

Business Groups Tire of GOP Focus On Social Issues

John M. Engler, the former Republican governor of Michigan who now heads the National Association of Manufacturers, vowed before the November elections to use his trade association's might to back President Bush's judicial nominees. But as the Senate showdown approaches, the business group is delivering a different message: Judges are not its fight.
More >>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301938.html

[yebrent]

63. There is speculation here about the GOP 7 breaking the deal

and running back with their tale between their legs to side with Frist. What about another possibility? Could the moderate Republicans actually gain numbers, especially with Frist all beat-up, bloody, and impotent?

[Boo Boo]

69. I saw Trent Lott on Blitzer today

and I gotta believe that this is a payback moment for him. It's also an opportune moment because Frist is set up as the fall guy. I think it would be hard for The Seven to back away after the show they put on. It would be pretty damn humiliating. OTOH, a revolt against Frist would be something that Bush could distance himself from without too much effort.

So which thing are these "moderate" Republicans more likely to do, humiliate Frist or humiliate themselves?

:popcorn:

[Boo Boo]

71. On second thought...

Bush was the guy that resubmitted these nominations, so maybe he can't walk away so easily.

:popcorn:

[renaissanceguy]

83. Bye Bye to Frist's nomination for

presidential candidate... Then again, we'd kick his ass no matter who we ran.


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.14744967

[Guaranteed]

101. No, that doesn't break the deal. They can do whatever they want

as far as voting for Myers as long as they don't support the nuclear option in response to what we do to Myers. And we just filibuster him.

[ebayfool]

70. The freepers were saying that they were sending emails to Frist

last night, demanding that he do just this thing! Putting up Myers and Saad before anything was resolved w/the other noms - apparently they followed through & did it. And Frist obeyed.

[OKthatsIT]

74. Young republicans and rightwing christians is Frist's base

We can beat that.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

96. You give those losers too much credit. (nt)

[geek tragedy]

73. This is a NON-story.

Frist sends the nomination the floor, the Dems fillibuster it, nomination dies.

[Bravo411]

77. They want it all...

If they can't have everything their way, then they'll push the Nuclear Option, or as they're now calling it, the Constitutional Option.

Although the Republicans may be the majority in the political sense, they represent fewer constituants than the Democrats do. I doubt there is a majority of U.S. citizens that support ending the filibuster. As a matter of opinion, I think that if they vote to end the filibuster, it will indeed go Nuclear, and not just in the Senate but in the streets of America. It just might be the straw that breaks the camels back. Will it spark mass protesting across the Nation? Maybe. Then again, the bitching may do nothing, and die down once the next episode of American Idol hits the airwaves.

[rocktivity]

80. BRING IT ON, CAT SLAYER!

You keep right on alienating those political and religious moderates! Look at how well it worked with your Terri Schiavo and Justice Sunday Jesus freak shows! You can do it, Bill--GO, GO, GO! RAH, RAH, RAH!


rocknation

[jayfish]

88. Don't Ever Defile...

the Slayer again. With a mane like rocknation, you should know better. :headbang: ;)

[IndianaGreen]

84. Our "moderates" wet their pants yesterday calling the deal a "victory"

Those of us on the Left, and some not so much on the Left such as Russ Feingold, referred to the deal as a lose-lose proposition for the Senate and the country.

I can't understand why any self-respecting Democrat would put any faith or trust on anything the GOP says or does.

Did we learn anything from the Iraq War Resolution fiasco?

[leesa]

86. How christian of him...welching on a deal

But that's the newfangled Bush christian...lying, stealing, breaking agreements, killing...all fine in the Lord's eye.

[Tesla]

91. What is wrong with the phrase

"young repulican"

Something just dosen't sound right about that ......anybody????

[GOTV]

107. It's not his deal n/t

[librechik]

108. exactly--without the Fristian signature

the deal is worth nothing.

[Jose Diablo]

92. Not to rain on the parade or otherwise cause a cooling of this enthusiasm

BUT

Are we sure that all our Dem's will stand fast, or will others attempt to 'save the Republic', so to speak.

All it takes is one you know, from our side of the aisle to turn. I can see it now (cue the light and camera's), "My fellow Americans, I decided to not allow this insanity to proceed. The welfare of our Republic demands that we not allow this petty bickering get in the way of this sessions legislative agenda. Therefore, I have decided, for the sake of our country's wellbeing, to side with our 'honored' colleagues across the aisle and end this insane fight that does nothing to solve the huge problems our country now faces."

It would go something like that.

Of course, in the background, he would be given the family jewels for his 'patriotism'. Yep, be very well compensated for his 'patriotism'.

[Norquist Nemesis]

103. I can picture Nelson doing that

and can almost picture Salazar doing that. Nelson made some comments after the deal was reached that lead me to believe he'll vote for cloture. Lieberman's a tossup and could go either way, IMO. And Salazar...well, I'm not so confident that he would stand firm with the Dems.

[Politicub]

94. A republican breaking his word?

Shocking! Shocking I tell you!

:sarcasm:

[lovuian]

105. Does Frist have the votes? No!!! but he is going to make a fool

out of himself!!!

[Strawman]

109. To Bush/Frist "Up or Down Vote" really means...

Do you Senators want to let the President shove these extremists up your asses or down your throats? That's your "vote."

[insane_cratic_gal]

118. Sadly that is true

"Your either with us or will crush the shit out of you!" is what he really meant.

Always strikes me as funny that chimpy & CO talk about bipartisan, so long as the Dems lick his boots.

the minute a bipartisan effort comes along to try and save the filibuster, they walk around kicking and screaming like 4 year olds.

[moondust]

116. Delete.

[confludemocrat]

119. Litmus test done: there are 62 certifiable turds in the U.S. Senate

The 55 jackoffs and the 7 shitty people who participated in this idiotic, futile travesty.