Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

FBaggins

(26,697 posts)
43. No. You have overlooked something
Mon Apr 3, 2017, 05:36 PM
Apr 2017

The key to actually blocking ANY nominee at this point is getting a couple Republicans to agree that it isn't appropriate to blow up the nominee filibuster for that particular nominee.

They'll have no trouble blowing it up for Gorsuch who is widely acceptable to them and doesn't move the USSC needle since he's replacing Scalia. Replacing Ginsburg with someone like Gorsuch would dramatically shift the court to the right (perhaps for decades). It would be far easier to convince three Republicans that it isn't worth blowing up the filibuster to defend that shift...

... unless it's already gone.

Maybe it's time to start seeing the Senate as an illegitimate political body. ck4829 Apr 2017 #1
YES delisen Apr 2017 #2
We need to call their bluff, or let them dispel it. forgotmylogin Apr 2017 #27
The filibuster exists to be used panader0 Apr 2017 #3
McTurtle & Ryan r bought, won't push for independ trumprussia investig wordpix Apr 2017 #16
McConnell fillibustered an entire year of Obama's presidency. Atman Apr 2017 #29
you know, I've never cared for it...I neither fear nor hold it in any regard.. JHan Apr 2017 #4
I agree with most of what you wrote, except for that last part. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #7
You've got a point, we can make tea with their tears. That's motivation enough! JHan Apr 2017 #9
(Yeah, we just have to kick out the 'R's....) lastlib Apr 2017 #24
filibuster is tool to slow down process & take close look, in this case @Gorsuch wordpix Apr 2017 #18
Historically, the fillibuster seems to have been used for some really evil shit... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #20
The threat of force is often as effective as actual action Amishman Apr 2017 #5
Then we need to start whipping more votes bettyellen Apr 2017 #13
Yes, I agree but with a caveat Amishman Apr 2017 #30
The fear of losing it has been concern for both parties when either gets out of majority. boston bean Apr 2017 #6
HOMERUN!!! NightWatcher Apr 2017 #8
Yes! bettyellen Apr 2017 #10
i have a question about this. senate rules. mopinko Apr 2017 #11
That seems logical, but why would the party IN power want to relinquish power? NurseJackie Apr 2017 #15
being decent is in fact a huge disadvantage, mopinko Apr 2017 #19
You haven't overlooked anything. It is the Dems who say that who are overlooking the obvious. Amaryllis Apr 2017 #12
Precisely Me. Apr 2017 #14
I've read a dissenting opinion about using the filibuster in this case. BobTheSubgenius Apr 2017 #17
it's not "truly important" to keep all 3 branches of gov out of GOP/Trump hands? wordpix Apr 2017 #22
Of course we admit defeat if we don't fb because we fear losing it! Lucky Luciano Apr 2017 #21
The argument in this specific case Lurks Often Apr 2017 #23
Very good point. Use it or lose it, either way wordpix Apr 2017 #25
Even more, if Democrats don't use the filibuster for fear of losing it ToxMarz Apr 2017 #26
We have already lost it IronLionZion Apr 2017 #28
Bingo! CanonRay Apr 2017 #31
Yes. madashelltoo Apr 2017 #32
The filibuster, in its current form is a fake TXCritter Apr 2017 #33
What difference does it make? kentuck Apr 2017 #34
This needs to happen Scalded Nun Apr 2017 #35
Yes we have. Well said. zentrum Apr 2017 #36
No. You're making an assessment as to whether this is the worst candidate Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #37
No way. If you give in to a bully the bully wins. sharedvalues Apr 2017 #42
I didn't suggest it was safe. Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #50
Yup wryter2000 Apr 2017 #38
Exactly! Especially considering Republican History of obstructionism with SCOTUS votes. Amimnoch Apr 2017 #39
Wow! I had no idea. What a bunch of assholes. Well, we knew that already... Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #49
Very interesting statistic. Profound, actually. Bookmarking. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2017 #55
Very profound point! world wide wally Apr 2017 #40
Exactly! mcar Apr 2017 #41
No. You have overlooked something FBaggins Apr 2017 #43
this assumes that they won't go nuclear for the next pick, and of course they want to Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #48
Because "they" are no more a unified block than democrats are FBaggins Apr 2017 #52
Welcome to the post-Reagan Democratic Party. nt Gore1FL Apr 2017 #44
They're just "keeping their powder dry" Buns_of_Fire Apr 2017 #45
LOL, yes. I think it's time to use it finally. Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #47
That's the kind of nonsense the got us in this trouble in the first FBaggins Apr 2017 #54
you know, it's all about Senate decorum and a bunch of crap that the GOP has blown past Fast Walker 52 Apr 2017 #46
Fight like hell and blame Republicans for theft bucolic_frolic Apr 2017 #51
EXCELLENT point! NastyRiffraff Apr 2017 #53
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»If we never filibuster be...»Reply #43