Activists Pressure Both Sides in Judge Debate

[atommom]

WASHINGTON — When word surfaced recently that Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) was working with a Democrat on a compromise to end the Senate's standoff over confirmation of federal judges, the reaction from his traditional allies was swift and decisive.

Lott's switchboard lighted up like a Christmas tree. And it stayed that way for days, jammed with calls from conservative activists — from Washington, Mississippi, Texas and elsewhere — who would brook no compromise on their goal of ending a powerful delaying tactic that Democrats have used to block approval of some of President Bush's judicial nominees.

"We feel like there should be zero compromise, no deal," said Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Assn., a Mississippi-based conservative group whose members were among those flooding Lott's home-state offices with phone calls and e-mails in protest.

The episode illustrates the powerful political forces that have helped make the Senate controversy over federal judges so intractable.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-lobby18may18,1,2529744.story

Conservative activists also sprang into action when Pat Roberts admitted he had doubts about ending the filibuster. A few moments later (in Washington time), he went into CYA mode too.

[Kagemusha]

1. So the tiger is now riding them.

Real cute.

[atommom]

2. I found Trent Lott's comments in that article pretty amusing.

All those calls didn't bother him ... they didn't influence him ... he just happened to suddenly reach the same conclusion those callers wanted him to reach. But they're not the boss of him, no. :D

[AnnInLa]

3. This reminds me....

Have you called your Senator today? I feel sure we can match the dark side's attempts to influence position.

[atommom]

4. Good point. I'm afraid they're still better organized than we are.

But progressive groups are getting better and better at this sort of thing!