Fox on Frist: "a devastating effect on his potential run in 2008"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,157009,00.html

Frist has served as the standard-bearer for the White House and the Republican Party's religious conservatives in the fight to put like-minded jurists on the federal bench. He has rejected Democratic offers to confirm some of the blocked nominees, contending that all deserve a vote while moving forward on the nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen (search), a step toward a Senate showdown. For Frist, a man with White House ambitions, it's a role that has elevated his status in the 2008 presidential race.

But beyond his grasp, a group of Democrats and Republicans — moderates, conservatives, institutionalists — has been working on a compromise that would allow votes on some nominees and avert a debilitating confrontation.

A bipartisan deal could undercut Frist's political standing and his remaining months as Senate leader — he's indicated he won't seek another term next year.

"If he does get rolled on this issue, it's going to look a lot less like a gladiator and more like Barney Fife," said John J. Pitney Jr. (search), a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in California. Said Randy Button (search), the Democratic Party chairman in Tennessee, "It would have a devastating effect on his potential run in 2008."

[Melodybe]

1. Frist won't run again, awesome.

[Wickerman]

2. (He's) going to look a lot less like a gladiator and more like Barney Fife

He's got a point


Bill Frist


Barney Fife

[CottonBear]

3. He looks like an undertaker not a surgeon.

I was watching him on CSPAN2 this morning. He looks like a damn undertaker. Fitting, since he's presiding over the death of democracy as we know it.

[rodeodance]

5. frist a dead duck and Jr a lame duck--whow --what a dream

[cdb]

6. And he has the personality and warmth of a corpse

Let him run, oh please let him run.

[leyton]

4. Well, that's what happens to politicians who overreach. eom

[wtmusic]

7. He loses either way

If the filibuster dies so does his moderate support. He's toast.

(Couldn't happen to a sweeter guy).

[autorank]

8. If he loses an up or down vote both he and * are toast.

That's the risk here, IMHO. *'s hubris is his inability to back down once he's staked out territory. He can't let Frist take the deal without seeming to lose. As a result, he may force himself into a position where he's got an up or down vote. If Frist had the votes, there would have been a vote yesterday. Will he get them as the debate goes on? Who knows. If he doesn't have the votes, as things proceed, I do not think Reid will come to his rescue with a deal. This is Reid's chance to take Frist on "the last ride," the finale of total humiliation. I think that the RNC will regret the day they published the "hit piece" on Reid and his family. Aniyone who saw Reids press conference that day could tell that he was furious (although he was very contained). This guy took on the mob, he's had practice dealing with thugs, and this is one more chance for him to "stand tall."

Give 'em hell Harry!

[Pirate Smile]

9. This is an AP story so it will get much broader play then just Faux.

[tex-wyo-dem]

10. I still remember on the Daily Show...

when they showed footage of shrub giving a statement to the press on Earth Day, cat killer standing in the background grinning like an idiot. Very funny and just showed what a phony he is.