I upset people with the Reid post - HERE IS MY CASE

[debbierlus]

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid admitted on Friday he and fellow Democrats lack the votes to block President George W. Bush's nomination of conservative appeals judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"Everyone knows there is not enough votes to support a filibuster," Reid said, referring to the procedural roadblock that some Democrats said should be used to put off a vote on Alito.

The Nevada Democrat said, however, he would vote for such a measure to at least send a message of opposition to the nominee. That vote will come on Monday with final confirmation set for Tuesday.

"I think it is an opportunity for people to express their opinion as to what a bad choice it was to replace (retiring Justice) Sandra Day O'Connor" with Alito, Reid told reporters after a speech at a Washington hotel.


EVERYONE KNOWS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH VOTES TO SUPPORT A FILIBUSTER

ADMITTED HE DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES?????

He is the MINORITY LEADER - I REPEAT LEADER - He said before that he was going to allow this be a vote of conscience and not pressure people.

HE IS NOT LEADING. HE IS PUBLICLY STATING THAT THERE WILL BE NO FILIBUSTER BUT THE DEMS CAN GO ON RECORD AS SAYING THEY TRIED - It NOW has turned into a political stunt. Filibuster, but NOT really.
I can't believe people here are defending this....

With his press conference...

He squashed momentum for people to call and fight. The minority leader of the dems says they can't filibuster, WHY BOTHER?

Even, if he KNEW that he couldn't get the votes, he should have allowed us to try and pressure the senators to change their vote. He should have said he BELIEVED in the filibuster and he would do everything possible to make it happen. It it THAT important.

There is NO excuse for this...

NONE.

It is a slap in the face to us.

[Neecy]

1. it does sort of take the Vichy Dems off the hook, doesn't it?

[debbierlus]

5. It is typical. It is disheartening.

I am not going to 'leave' the party.

But, I am leaving the leadership if they DON'T filibuster FOR REAL. Not just make some sort of politically convenient statement to appease us!

I will not donate to the democratic party. I will only donate to progressive canidates to knock out the status quo. I will work to TAKE OVER the democratic party to change it into what it should be.

I AM FURIOUS.

Harry Reid is not representing us. I do not like to admit that - it upsets me to no end. But, I will not be like the Republicans and follow leadership that does not represent me or my interests.

[Neecy]

8. I know I don't like being played.

All of this talk about a filibuster is just a bone they're throwing to a dog, and now I'm feeling a little patronized - like they hope we'll shut up our yapping and come out in force for the midterms with our money and our time.

All I know is that today I have the exact same sick feeling as I did on the day they voted on the IWR. Should your own party make you sick on so many important issues? Very discouraging.

[Walt Starr]

2. They weigh consequences

They see no consequences for failing to filibuster Alito because they sincerely believe that the base will still stick with them come November due to the "where are they gonna go?" rule.

Only when the GOP faced a rebellion by the religiously insane in 1992, did they realize the "where are they gonna go?" rule is only effective just so far. Until the Democrats have a similar experience, they will ALWAYS play it safe.

[debbierlus]

15. The fact that we have two stolen elections and that is not a dem issue

Tells it all....

They did not fight for the Presidency that they WON.

What gives us true reason to believe they will fight for this?

[fooj]

3. Harry is an old boxer...

I don't believe for one moment that he is done fighting! A boxer never reveals his strategy before a big match. This is far from over, IMO.

Peace.

[Benhurst]

7. I hope you're right; but fear you aren't.

[Joe Chi Minh]

20. That's how I read it.

[fooj]

23. Glad to hear it!

Peace.

[liberalla]

30. This is what I am hoping for

He's been so smart and clever at other times with strategy...
I can't help but think he's doing it again. Fingers crossed!

At any rate, I can't give up before it's done!

[leftstreet]

4. You make a good case

:toast:

[Avalux]

6. Votes aren't needed for a filibuster.

Votes are needed for cloture to stop it - 60. That's the key. A Dem who has said they won't support the filibuster can abstain from voting for cloture. This isn't over yet.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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[Avalux]

11. Goodbye then.

:hi:

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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[Admiral Loinpresser]

24. The day the Dems vote like Repubs on the environment.

There really is a major difference still between the parties.

[uppityperson]

26. noalito is TS'd

don't bother responding.

[FreedomAngel82]

28. Do not say we and speak for me, I speak for myself

See ya.

[debbierlus]

10. I am not giving up but I completely believe our leadership has....

It is no wonder we are at this point.

This is one of THE most important fights of our lives. Reid should be holding press conferences with Hiliary and Kerry by his side. They should say that this is one of the most important fights of their political lives and they will continue to try and filibuster to bring this case to the American people...because they KNOW that the American people will not want Alito on the bench if they fully understood what it meant. And, then they should lay out their case....

The majority of people in this country can't even name one person who sits on the court, let alone understand the implications of what this nomination will do. The democrats should be out explaining this to their constituents and fight tooth and nail....

I strongly suspect for the MAJORITY of them, voting no on cloture is a means of appeasement, not all, but most.

I am DISGUSTED.

[EFerrari]

12. Why not go on a fact finding mission. When I call Reid's office

his staffers have usually been forthcoming. Why not call and ask a few questions before you send out the hit squad? I totally understand being upset. Maybe having more information in hand will help.

[debbierlus]

19. Here is a fact - another Reid statement:

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada offered little support.

"There's been adequate time for people to debate," Reid said. "No one can complain on this matter that there hasn't been sufficient time to talk about Judge Alito, pro or con."

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060126200409990007

Look at all the dems saying they won't filibuster.

Reid is not an effective party leader when he can't muster a united vote against one of the worst court nominees in history, let alone lead a filibuster. I realize that Reid does not have complete control, but his defeatist messages and lack of leadership are very disappointing.

[Avalux]

13. Sure they could be giving press conferences.

But who would cover them? And when they do - what's said will be spun out of control and then the Repugs will step out and counter.....it would turn into a big mess that the media would use against our Dems.

I agree with the strategy of keeping everyone guessing right now.

[Name removed]

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[fknobbit]

17. Thank God for Harry!

Shoot your own foot off, but stop insisting that others do the same. Reid is the retirees best friend

[mattclearing]

18. Agreed.

It is sad. It would have been better to say nothing at all.

[mzmolly]

21. It's not a slap in the face, it's a CALL TO ACTION.

Reid has an excellent poker game ~ let's see how this pans out.

[im10ashus]

22. According to this site he is going to support the filibuster.

http://www.democrats.com/alito-48

:shrug:

[debbierlus]

25. There are ways of filibustering as a political cover without a true

Commitment to it.....

And, it looks like the dems are doing it for political cover - not really rallying and pushing - just doing it as a protest vote for people like us -

THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

[saracat]

27. Reid has always been anti choice. I wondered how far he would go.

This is the answer. The fact is, he NEVER supported the filibuster. I have had NO respect for him since he supported the Bankruptsy Bill. Harry Reid is NO democrat. And all of you who thick he is such a "fighter" Give 'em hell Harry etc are seriously deluded. I tried to support him I just can't. Ther is something seriously wrong here.
Kerry is going out on a limb and Reid wants to knife him. Kerry bucked the syatem and we owe him our support.

[greiner3]

29. If it's not aliedto then the repugs will nominate some other;

a hole next time that will be a thomas or scalia clone. I can't stand alieto. Echoing coulter, I hope someone puts arsenic in the bastard's egg nog, if you would. Do I have to say I'm joking? OK, but only as much as coulter is!

[debbierlus]

31. But, you are forgetting a HUGE point

If we stop Alito, it will:

Buy us time. The Republicans are on the edge of the abysess. They are not in a strong position to keep this stuff up.

Send a message that the dems DO stand for something. They are NOT Republican lite.

This is too important.

We MUST FIGHT.