Frist & Repubs pressuring media to distort language re: "nuclear option"

[housewolf]

At James Dobson's Democrats versus believers in God rally tonight, Sen. Frist had this passage in his speech ...

"Now if Senator Reid continues to obstruct the process, we will consider what opponents call the “nuclear option.” Only in the United States Senate could it be considered a devastating option to allow a vote. Most places call that democracy. "


As you can see, Frist is pushing the bogus argument that "nuclear option" is a phrase coined by Democrats whereas in fact, as he certainly knows, it is a phrase coined by Republicans.

In isolation, it doesn't much matter whether we call this the 'nuclear option' or simply abolishing the filibuster. But it's worth taking note of Frist's knowing falsehood because it is quite evidently part of a larger RNC push over the course of the last week.

I've been made privy to the internal communications of a number of national news organizations at which there are now running arguments over whether to go along with the Republican claim that 'nuclear option' is a Democratic epithet or term of abuse which should be banned except in cases where Democrats are directly quoted using it.

So, as you're reading the coverage in the coming days, watch to see which news outfits have fallen in line with the RNC-directives.
-- Josh Marshall


Note - We should be letting the news outlets know that we're onto them this week, pressure them to no cave to the Repubs demands that they distort the language.

[Frances]

1. The Repubs are framing this issue once again

The focus is on whether it's democratic to use a filibuster to keep the Senate from voting on a nominee

The real focus should be on keeping right wing nut cases from sitting on the bench for the rest of their lives. Plus why is Bush nominating extremists to life time appointments.

[housewolf]

2. Atrios/Eschaton has more on this

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2005_04_24_atrios_archive.html#111439273749971672


A Fox News interview w/Frist from Nov, 2004 when he explains the "nuclear option"