Friday News Dump: Cheney Signals WH Wants the Fight on Filibusters

[BurtWorm]

Don't blink now, Dems. Here it comes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/22/politics/22cnd-judge.html?ei=5094&en=047f685e7c2e24a4&hp=&ex=1114228800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print&position=


April 22, 2005
Cheney Enters Filibuster Fight, Backing Change in Senate Rules
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

WASHINGTON, April 22 - Vice President Dick Cheney plunged the White House into the judicial confirmation battle today by saying he would support changing the Senate rules to stop the Democrats from blocking judicial nominees. In addition, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority Republican whip, asserted that Republicans now have the votes needed to execute that change.

"There is no justification for allowing the blocking of nominees who are well qualified and broadly supported," Mr. Cheney told the Republican National Lawyers Association. "The tactics of the last few years, I believe, are inexcusable," he said of the Democrats' use of the filibuster, threatening to extend debate, to obstruct votes.

"If the Senate majority decides to move forward and if the issue is presented to me in my elected office as president of the Senate and presiding officer, I will support bringing those nominations to the floor for an up-or-down vote," Mr. Cheney said. "On the merits, this should not be a difficult call to make."

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic minority leader, responded by accusing Mr. McConnell of bluffing and President Bush of lying.

[JamboGuide]

1. Must be a bluff

Last part, do they STILL not have enough votes? And i dont see how we can WIN!?? I DONT! I have done that math over and over again. And we get 3Reps plus 4 on the fence its STILL 51!

[Tactical Progressive]

2. Supposedly Reid received assurances from Bush

just a few days ago that the White House wasn't going to get involved in the Senate filibuster issue.

Another day, another Republican lie.

[BurtWorm]

3. Makes me wonder if there's a rift between Bush and Cheney

Cheney is even more of an ideologue than Bush.

Or between Cheney and Rove.

[applegrove]

4. A rift? Only when Cheney folds Bush up and puts him away in a suitcase.

Otherwise Cheney has his hand up Bush's ***!

[Vadem]

5. My immediate response to this article?"Bring it on, you f**kers! n/t

[Selteri]

6. I hope they do it

and then, I hope they are prepared for the reaction they'll get from the populace for pulling the stunt of trying to castrate the congress.

There won't be a lot of people who are able to distinguish the removal of the judicial fillibuster and the complete removal of the congressional fillibuster. Ironically the ignorane of the populace should backfire on them.