Is the push to kill the filibuster DOA?

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/042405A.shtml

Filibusted?
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Sunday 24 April 2005

The GOP leadership is still going to talk about "activist judges." They're still going to flood the talk-show airwaves with talk of a "judiciary that is out of control." They're still going to ally themselves with the worst elements of the extreme right in an effort to kill the filibuster in the Senate, so they can ram through 12 thoroughly inappropriate judicial nominees along with whatever else they feel like.

The GOP leadership is still going to do that, but for the time being, it appears possible the push to take the "Nuclear Option" and get rid of the filibuster has hit the reef.

The Associated Press reported Thursday on some private, internal polling done by the GOP on this matter. According to the scant information released by an anonymous party official, only 37% of Republicans polled support getting rid of the filibuster. Only 20% of Republicans polled believed the statement by party officials that Bush is the only President who has had his nominees filibustered. The secrecy of the overall poll numbers is telling; when the GOP has numbers that help their arguments, they break their legs rushing it out to the airwaves.

Interestingly, this polling data was sent to GOP officials shortly after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to send Bush judicial nominees Priscilla Owen and Janice Rogers Brown to the full Senate for confirmation. This is to be watched, for Owen and Brown may become the catalysts for a full-Senate brawl over the filibuster if the GOP decides to ignore its own numbers and forge ahead. Time is short; the Senate has decided to take up debate over the highway bill next week, and the Senate goes on recess the week after.

...more...

[benburch]

1. I really believe that they plan to sneak it through somehow.

This is too ripe a plum not to use the bag of dirty tricks on.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. I take heart in the probability that...

The Dems pretty well know the ground rules now. Having learned them the hard way, they will now play by them and write some of their own in the bargain.

[BlueEyedSon]

3. Hey where's the link? Must..... read.... WRP piece.... in.... entirety....

AAAHAHHHHHRG!

[WilliamPitt]

4. Added, sorry

[Newsjock]

6. oh never mind

dupe

[charlyvi]

5. I think they plan to run it through.

Then blame Democrats for being misogynistic (notice both candidates are women) and obstructionist. Who will succeed with the public depends on who has the best PR, which is a sad fact of American political life today.

[pie]

7. I'm betting they ram it thru

The dis-information stage has been set.
It's going to be a battle, but I think
they will find a way to rape us once again.

[VelmaD]

8. Wonderful piece. I have a question....

who coined the phrase "nuclear option"? It's so rare that we get to frame the debate that way and I think the fact that that name has made it into the public consciousness is helping our cause enormously.

[WilliamPitt]

9. No idea

It just appeared as far as I know.

[Donailin]

10. Trent Lott

"The term “nuclear option” is used because it would almost literally blow up the Senate. It represents an unprecedented grab for complete control by the majority in an institution where all views should be heard and respected. In fact, it was Trent Lott who coined the phrase, when he told a reporter he had a strategy in mind that would allow nominees to be confirmed without broad support, and warned that it would be “nuclear.” (Washington Times, 3/19/03)"

[merh]

12. Damn, it figures my friggin idiot, evil neo-con senator, Chester,

is given credit for this power grab. :argh:

[onenote]

11. GOP does NOT want to kill filibusters...

Not now, at least. It doesn't really serve their interests. If they kill the filibuster now they can ram home whatever judges they want so long as they have a bare majority in the Senate. But if they don't act now (or they lose on the issue), they keep their base motivated to vote for repugs in 2006. Their real goal is to increase their Senate majority to the point where they don't have to worry about filibusters...not just on judicial nominations, but on legislation in general.

So, not bringing up the "nuclear option" or bringing it up, but losing, actually serves their interest more than winning the point.

onenote

[freebird1]

13. ~

:kick:

[WilliamPitt]

14. .

[Liberty Belle]

15. The Chamber of Commerce & Right to Life groups oppose ending filibuster,

too, according to an article in our local conservative newspaper (the San Diego Union-Tribune).

Business wins over religion with the GOP, since big business gives them more money, I'd think.