McCain wins, Frist/Dobson lose

Yes, I do love it. If the Republican party stays tied to, and obligated to, the extremists of the religious right, they'll be more powerful but also more pathologically insane. A bad combination.[/quote

One of the best, most clearly and accurately put statements I've read lately. <Stand up and applauds>

All the Republicans wanted was a striaght up or down vote for nominees. They got that.

All the Republicans wanted was a striaght up or down vote for nominees. They got that. I don't believe they actually wanted to do away with the fillibuster because someday, the Dems may actually attain a majority again and to not have that tool available in the future could be just like shooting themselves in the foot.

Conservatives examining last night's Senate deal on judicial nominees should see it as not a compromise but, as a capitulation. It does not save the stature of the Senate, but confirms its reputation as a den of mutual back-scratchers willing to throw principle out the window so their own reputations for wisdom and statesmanship can remain intact.

The reasons for this indictment are many. But the primary reason is that the Senate has treated two nominees as dispensable pawns, with no thought at all about the torment they have been and will continue to be put through. Henry Saad and William Myers have been grievously wronged. They were subjected to rules that did not exist when their nominations were first forwarded, rules they had no reason to expect would exist.

DTOM - an underage child has to have parental permission to accept an aspirin from a school nurse. Yet, you think a procedure such as abortion should be allowed without the parents' consent?
I don't recall abortion being a central issue in the recent election....except for when the Democrats tried to make it one.

As much as the filibuster is still on the table so is the Constitutional option. It wasn't removed and it still can be used.

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evening, negotiators agreed that two judicial nominees - William G. Myers and Henry Saad - "will be filibustered or withdrawn."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.

Posted by Judd at 3:41 pm

Quote:

As much as the filibuster is still on the table so is the Constitutional option. It wasn't removed and it still can be used.

Fortunately for the dems,

I think that a significant faction of Republicans have shown they would rather not use the option. As time goes by it is hard to see how this number would shrink, especially given the rancor they are now being shown by their fellow Republicans...

Cycloptichorn