Sen. Nelson:"The votes aren't there, it would be an exercise in futility"

[sabra]

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_4421135,00.html

Sen. Nelson dismisses talk of a Democratic filibuster on Alito vote

HUTCHINSON ISLAND — Florida's senior senator dismissed talk of a Democratic filibuster to try to hold up the confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito after a lunch address at the Everglades Coalition conference.

Sen. Bill Nelson repeated his assertion that he will vote against making the New Jersey jurist the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice and said there is.

"The votes aren't there, it would be an exercise in futility," Nelson said. "If the votes are not there, why do it?"

[rodeodance]

1. dick

[PBass]

4. Call him

Explain that he needs to be on the record as doing everything possible to stop Alito. It will make a difference to the Democratic party in the future, if Alito is as bad as he has been described.

[mom cat]

16. READ THIS BEFORE YOU GIVE UP ON NELSON:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x259491

Call him now... His office is doing a tally.

[maxsolomon]

2. GO READ THE RUDE PUNDIT, BEN

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/

Then here's a brief list of reasons to filibuster Alito that have nothing to do with Savage Sammy:
- Because President Bush authorizes spying on Americans without a warrant.
- Because President Bush authorized torture by Americans and through renditioning.
- Because President Bush detains people without charge for an indefinite period.
- Because President Bush ignores whatever laws he wants, even if he signs them.
- Because President Bush lied about Iraq to get us into the war.
- Because the Army is stretched "to the breaking point."
- Because the reconstruction of Iraq is being fucked up, too.
- Because President Bush refuses to acknowledge what it's gonna take to help the people of the Gulf Coast.
- Because Ford is getting rid of 30,000 employees.
- Because Karl Rove still has a job.
- Because President Bush and the Republicans fail to fully fund the bullshit "No Child Left Behind" program.
- Because President Bush denies the existence of global warming.
- Because the Medicare prescription drug program is a clusterfuck that will end up in people dying because of its existence.
- Because President Bush denies any connection to Jack Abramoff.
- Because President Bush refuses to speak before any audience that doesn't adore him.
- Because Dick Cheney exists.
- Because Osama Bin Laden is either living free or died free.
- Because Donald Rumsfeld still has a job.
- Because the White House has stymied every investigation into its fuck-ups.
- Because President Bush calls spying "terrorist surveillance" and pollution "Clean Skies" and money to churches "Faith-Based Initiatives."
- Because Richard Scaife doesn't need another tax cut.
- Because there has to be a line in the sand, somewhere; otherwise, it's just one long desert until who-knows-when.

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. Please re-read the post

It is not Ben Nelson.

[KaryninMiami]

3. I know- I just called his office and was told the same thing. It sucks

It didn't matter that I tried to reason with them by saying--if more said they would vote for the filibuster, then we'd get the amounts of votes we need. But he's a whimp- always trying to appease the middle. I've never been a Nelson fan and unfortunately, we have a choice between him and Cruella Harris so there's really no option.

[Bob3]

5. because it sends a message - like "we will fight them on the beaches

we will fight them in the cities and the towns we will never surrender". sent a message. I don't want to grow old and watch my nieces and nephews have to fight the same battles people fought in the 50's and 60's because of the Democratic party is afraid of looking foolish.

Find a nice piece of wood and lash it to your spine - it needs stiffening.

[Skidmore]

6. Well not providing your vote is one way of ensuring that,

you idiot.

[SillyGoose]

7. Shoot. When I called earlier his office said he was undecided and they

were paying close attention to calls about a filibuster.

:-(

[bigwillq]

8. Why do it???

Because unlike you Sen. Nelson, some people still care about the future of America.

[bear425]

9. Duh, Bill. The votes would be there if you would support the fili.

[sundancekid]

10. why do it? will be my reply when he wants $$ .. it's OUR democracy, stupid

[joanski0]

17. You got it sundancekid!

Sending our hard-earned money to a Democrat is an exercise in futility. That will be my mantra when they call me for cash!

[understandinglife]

11. Keep calling his office. I just did and the person who answered was ...

... pleasant and did not argue the point when I said that Alito must be kept off of OUR court.


Peace.

[Opusnone]

12. I called his office today

This party needs some exercise, Senator, even it is futile. Get off your ass and exercise some of the power we lent to you!
I swear I'll vote for Cruella Harris if you don't take a stand.

[boston bean]

13. call him anyhow! I know I will!

[radio4progressives]

14. what's his phone number?

[sabra]

15. here:

Nelson, Bill- (D - FL)Class I 716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 [phone] Web Form: http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm#email

[bear425]

19. Just got thru. Nice staffer took my comments.

First I thanked Sen. Nelson for opposing Alito's confirmation. Staffer was happy to hear that. Then I asked him to support a filibuster because there is growing senate support for one. To please really consider joining it because we really need him to help save our democracy. He said he would tell him and wished me a good day.

[sandnsea]

20. Because Sen Kerry asked US to give HIM money

that's friggin' why. If it really takes that kind of politics to get through to the guy.

[maxsolomon]

21. d'oh!

i'm just not a fan of nelsons.

[MercutioATC]

22. It's pointless to stand up to a bully if you can't kick his ass...

THAT kind of thinking gets us nowhere. You HAVE to stand up whether you can win or not. There IS no ethical alternative.