Bill Scher: Two years ago, the Group of 14 pledged to "prevent filibusters." Where are they now?

[marmar]

from TomPaine.com:


Whatever Happened to "Extraordinary Circumstances"?
Submitted by Bill Scher on July 17, 2007 - 1:05pm.


I'll say this for Sen. John McCain. He thinks ahead.

During today's Senate floor debate, Sen. Carl Levin urged McCain and his fellow conservatives to refrain from filibustering his Iraq proposal, and allow for an "up-or-down" vote.

McCain shrugged him off, saying both parties have employed such procedural tactics in the past.

That wasn't McCain's song two years ago, when he joined the "Group of 14."

The bipartisan group of senators formed to prevent Republicans from scrapping the filibuster altogether, but also prevent Democrats from using the filibuster to block conservative activist judicial nominees.

As McCain declared on behalf of the Group of 14, filibusters should only occur "under extraordinary circumstances," and in turn, "we will try to do everything in our power to prevent filibusters in the future."

Apparently, it's an extraordinary circumstance if conservatives don't control the Senate, because as our "Filibustered" report shows, it's been one filibuster after another this year -- and the members of the Group of 14 haven't made a peep about it.

Including McCain, who, as our vote tally shows, has been filibustering his heart out (that is, when he shows up for votes). ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/whatever_happened_extraordinary_circumstances?tx=3

[still_one]

1. For six years the Democrats fell for the lies from the republicans in congress

have they learned anything?

We will see...

[Jim__]

2. But that's different.

You know ... because ...

:sarcasm:

[kansasblue]

3. Their goal: "to prevent Republicans from scrapping the filibuster altogether

I think you have that incorrect:



The gang goal was "to prevent Republicans from scrapping the filibuster altogether"

The Republican were going to remove the historical rule and remove filibusters. That way the Republicans would be able to pass everything on 50 votes.

Interesting... if that would have carried then the Dems would have their anti-war amendment.