For those of us with Republican Senators

[drm604]

I know that we've all been asked to contact our Senators in regards to the Alito nomination. Even many of us with Republican Senators have done so. We've sent our emails and faxes and made our phone calls. But really, asking Republican's to vote no on Alito is a necessary but, in most cases, symbolic gesture - it's almost tilting at windmills.

I think that there's something else that we should also be doing. We should, in anticipation of a possible Democratic filibuster, be contacting our Republican Senators and asking them to preserve the filibuster for judicial candidates.

This shouldn't be done in a hostile manner. It should simply be pointed out to them why it would be in their own best interest not to change the filibuster rules. Point out that there's a possibility that they will no longer be the majority after this year and, if not this year, then certainly at some point in the future. Point out that changing 200 years of tradition over one political battle is shortsighted at best and foolhardy at worst. Point out that the Democrats could retaliate by totally shutting down the Senate, and that this kind of power struggle is neither necessary nor desirable. Point out that there will be other chances and other nominees and that confirming a much more moderate candidate could only help their image with the majority of American voters. Point out that they can do this without actually voting against Alito, by simply not voting to destroy over 200 years of parliamentary practice.

Also - and I think this is important - Connect it to Abramoff, Scanlon, and The K Street Project. Connect it to Plame. Connect it to illegal government wiretapping. CONNECT IT TO TERRI SCHIAVO! These are all weaknesses for them, whether they'll admit it or not. Let them know that you, and the public in general, see all of these things, along with the threat of "nuking" the filibuster, as part of the same pattern of overreaching in the pursuit of absolute extra-constitutional power over the people, wealth and resources of this country.

Let them know that the people will no longer stand for this kind of overreaching and that anyone who votes for a rule change will be seen as part of this whole pattern. They will be seen as one with the Abramoff crowd; and they also will be seen as one with the people who want to intrude into one of the most personal, private, and painful decisions that a family has to make.

The Republicans are, in many ways, on the ropes at the moment. They know it even if they won't admit it. Give them a way to appear more acceptable (or at least less unacceptable) to the majority of the American public without totally destroying the support of their base. Give them a way to avoid voting for Alito without actually voting against him.

This may not work with all of them. But it may work with some, and it might just possibly work with enough of them that we can prevent a rule change. It's worth a shot.

This may even be something that could be a DU Activist Corps event. Skinner can probably come up with better talking points then me, or at least clarify my ideas.

Suggestions, corrections, and criticisms are welcome. If you think this is a good idea, recommend it. If you think it's the stupidest thing you ever heard then say so and say why.

[Mnemosyne]

1. I am in PA also drm and I think

you are using your noggin as my 4 year old grandson would say.

Another DU'er also recommended calling the Gang of 14. I'm doinging that Monday a.m.

rcd!

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Good idea

I read in another post in GD that some republicans were going to show themselves as more moderate and getting away from Bush cause of re-election in talking about Alito. I would definitely go for the "gang of fourteen."

[Mnemosyne]

15. It will be the first of many fights

for our lives, our freedoms, I believe FreedomAngel and I wish I was being overly-dramatic.

So many I speak to in person actually believe that fascism comes fast, boom, its here. I keep explaining how insidiously it creeps into a society. How subtle it is at first until it has a stranglehold on the entire country. I think it's only some of the citizen's recognition that comes suddenly, wake up one morning and realize what has happened.

Is there some Anti-Fascism I can spray on my carpets?

It's funny, in 2004 when I was telling people that my mail was being opened and phone tapped, I was ridiculed and called a paranoid. Now the NSA spying comes out, who's a paranoid now? lol

We will fight. And if we lose this one, we will fight again and again.

These pricks are NOT going to beat us!!

V :hi:

[benny05]

16. I wrote 2 of the 14

Collins and Snowe. I think they may be persuaded because their constituents have a blue tenor.

[snowbear]

2. Both Alaska senators are Rethugs...

Senator Lisa Murkowski is a moderate, pro-choice Republican - yet she made it 100% clear that she will vote for Alito.


She said she thought long and hard about him, and just cannot find enough reasons not to vote for him. Believe me... we've tried. She did vote NO on the Patriot Act, but she's a definite yes on Alito.

As for the old fart Ted Stevens... ... HAH!!... forget about him!!!

[northofdenali]

8. larissa, Uncle Ted was my first tee-hee thought, too.

Lisa has somewhat surprised me, but Ted? Nah.

[NativeTexan]

3. I have goosesteppers for Senators......

....here in Texas. I have been in contact with both....both actually were very polite in the way they told me to f**k off!

[many a good man]

4. Demand that they protect and defend the Constitution!

I wish I had a red Senator. I'd tell him to oppose Alito for non-partisan reasons. Alito's support for the radical fringe notion of a "unitary executive" threatens to destroy the balance of powers and destroy the Constitution.

All other concerns pale in comparison. ALL Americans should be alarmed at implications inherent in this unacceptable interpretation of executive powers. Its the Senator's duty to defend the power of the legislative branch against those who aim to destroy it.

[OnyxCollie]

9. I sent a letter to Dewine.

Dear Senator Dewine,

It is at this dark time in America's history that I
call upon you to fulfill your obligations to your
constituents and, ultimately, to the citizens of the
United States. It is through the actions of the
current administration that the democracy upon which
this country has been founded now faces extinction.
From the distortion of facts leading to the invasion
and occupation of Iraq, which has cost the lives of
over 2200 Americans and threatens to bankrupt the
country far into the future, to the unilateral
judgment and condemnation of "enemy combatants" who
are held indefinitely without charges and denied legal
counsel, to the "extraordinary rendition" of prisoners
to CIA "black sites" in foreign countries, to the
proud boast of felonious wiretapping of American
citizens, the Bush administration has done more harm
to the rights and liberties that our founding fathers
lived (and died) for than any terrorist attack could
possibly accomplish. With the nomination of Judge
Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States, the
pieces have been put in place for President Bush to
remove the last impediment in his quest for absolute
power, the checks and balances provided by the Supreme
Court of the United States. I ask you, Senator, to
vote to oppose the confirmation of Judge Alito to the
Supreme Court. It is your duty to your constituents,
to the citizens of the United States, and to the
founding fathers whose beliefs and actions you have
been elected to uphold and protect. The time for
action is now and the consequences are dire. It is my
hope you will make the right decision. Thank you.

Sincerely,

I haven't even gotten a form letter response.

[tnlefty]

20. Well, one my my red senators (FrankenFrist) will be itchin' to push the

NUCLEAR button, and the other, Alexander, will have his back. It is their duty to protect Bush**, the Constitution and the country be damned.

[thatsrightimirish]

5. That's to bad about Murkowski

Are you sure about her support for Alito? Well, I hope she is a no vote on the Nuclear option. Wasn't she on the fence on that one?

[FreedomAngel82]

6. Mine is Frist so there isn't much I can do myself

I did send an Email and he has replied even if it was a copy and paste letter.

[drm604]

10. Try anyway, even if it is Frist.

He got slapped down by the public once after his unconscionable behavior over Terry Schiavo. He may actually be more sensitive to public opinion after that. Public opinion is obviously important to him or he wouldn't have gotten involved in that whole affair in the first place. His problem was that he totally misjudged public opinion and it blew up in his face. My guess is that he made that misjudgment because he was hearing from a very small but very loud and vocal minority that convinced him that supporting Schiavo's parents would be a winning position. He might very well be in the process of trying to figure out what the public mood really his and how he should position himself to take advantage of it. We can help him by informing him of our mood, as I outlined above. Of course, after the Schiavo fiasco, he may be leary of listening to vocal constituents, but it's worth a try. He justs needs to be convinced that it's in his best interests politically (I'm convinced that's what he really cares about) to not call for a rules change.

[AZBlue]

11. That's an excellent plan.

I know what you mean - contacting Kyl and McCain to vote "no" was a waste of my time and breath and didn't even make me feel better. But, this might actually have some effect - I wouldn't feel like I was just talking to the wind.

[drm604]

12. If you like it, recommend it.

It's only got 1 recommendation so far.

[AZBlue]

13. Now it's got two!

:D

[drm604]

17. We just need one more. nt

[leetrisck]

14. Sen Bond & Talent and Blunt on the House side

no talking to these people at all.

[Fovea]

18. Roberts and Brownback

same problem.

[electropop]

19. My letter to Allen and Warner:

"Dear Senator _____,

I am writing to warn you of a serious threat to the independence and power of the United States Senate. There is an effort going on now to strip the Senate and the House of their power to check and balance the powers of the Executive and the Judiciary branches of the Government. The name of this effort is "The Unitary Executive." Amazingly, there is a nominee for the United States Supreme Court who has publicly espoused support for The Unitary Executive concept. If confirmed, he will act as a White House servant, supporting numerous unconstitutional acts by the White House, exemplified by the NSA Wiretapping scandal of recent weeks.

If you feel you must favor loyalty to party over loyalty to the Constitution, or even loyalty to the traditions of the Senate, I urge you to consider one more important point. At some time in the next few years, you will most likely find yourself in the minority party in Washington. If you have thrown away the revered tradition of the Filibuster, you will find yourself with no effective power at all. For your own political future, avoid the Nuclear Option - you know that a nuclear war can not be contained and harms the aggressor as much as the victim.

Thank you."

[many a good man]

21. Great non-partisan appeal!!!

You are calling on him to protect and defend the Constitution's separation of powers from a man espousing bizarre, out-of-the-mainstream legal theories that threaten the structure of our govt.

I think if you avoid ranting about bush* or whining about wedge issues you'll catch his ear and won't give yourself away as a liberal partisan. Senators need to stand up for the power and privileges of the Legislative branch and the rights of the minority. Great job.

[electropop]

22. Why thank you!

I do try to get inside the head of my reader. No point pissing him off. What I want is to find some reason he'll agree with, to act in a decent way. I know that most people in Congress, and especially Senators, are very touchy about any usurpation of their prerogatives. It may touch a nerve to bring it up.

[illflem]

23. Since I knew it would do no good...

Letter to my senator-- Conrad Burns

Conrad, since you had to give back all your Abramoff bribe money and might be hurting I'll give you $100 for a vote against Alito. I can give you cash in a back alley if you don't accept checks.
Sincerely, xxxx

[drm604]

31. LOL

:rofl:

[yourout]

32. Nice.....

Mr Burns is hopefully on his way to the crowbar hotel.

[drm604]

33. Next time

refer to him as Monty Burns.

[Virginian]

24. And if any one is writing to George Allen...

Let him know you didn't think his little racist prank in high school was at all funny.

[drm604]

34. You have to give us more than that.

Now I'm curious about this high school prank.

[Wordie]

25. Yes! And connect it to Bush adding signing statement to Anti-torture Act!

Here's why this is so important!

Bush's signing statement on the Anti-torture Act effectively over-ruled the will of the Congress. Here's the text of the statement he added:

``The executive branch shall construe'' the law ``in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority of the president . . . as commander in chief and consistent with the limitations of judicial power, which will assist in achieving the shared objective . . . of protecting the American people from further terrorist attacks,'' he said in a signing statement.

The law that was sent to the President had wide support on both sides of the aisle. It was also supported by the majority of Americans, who are disgusted with the idea that our country would engage in torture.

But Bush over-ruled the legislature, adding his own interpretation through the signing statement, a statement which clearly ran counter to the intent of the law. This is an insult to the Senator's important place in our government, and an assault on the balance of power that the framer's of our Constitution wisely provided.

Alito, if confirmed, would be a referee in determining the constitutionality of such acts, should they come before him on the Supreme Court. Alito's writings and speeches make it clear that he finds signing statements perfectly acceptable, so we must assume that he would decide in favor of maintaining them. We have no other way to judge his philosophy, as he refused to answer questions regarding the constitutionality of laws, saying that those issues might be ones to later come before him if he is confirmed. Therefore, the Senators, even the Republicans, MUST vote against him, to preserve the legitimate constitutional powers of the legislature!

One question I have... The supporters of Alito have made much of how Alito has the recommendation of the American Bar Association, but it occured to me tonight to ask whether he had ever, in his judicial career, ruled upon issues regarding the authority of the president. I don't think it is likely that he has. Isn't it only the Supreme Court itself that would rule on such issues? If I am correct, it makes the Bar Associations recommendation moot, as they were unable to evaluate his performance in this highly important area, since he simply didn't have any. We have, therefore, only his statements to go by, and he has made many in favor of increased presidential power. We cannot risk putting this guy on the SC bench!

And all your ideas are excellent. I've been saying the same thing, but in somewhat different words. I hope there are democratic leaders who are thinking along the same lines!

[drm604]

26. Thanks! nt

[burrowowl]

27. CALL THEM ANYWAY! eom

[Wordie]

28. Complete list of Senators' FAX numbers...

FAX Numbers for the US Senate Democrats

AR: Lincoln(D) [phone]
AR: Pryor(D) [phone]
CA: Boxer(D) [phone]
CA: Feinstein(D) [phone]
CO: Salazar(D) [phone]
CT: Dodd(D) [phone]
CT: Lieberman(D) [phone]
DE: Biden(D) [phone]
DE: Carper(D) [phone]
FL: Nelson(D) [phone]
HI: Akaka(D) [phone]
HI: Inouye(D) [phone]
IA: Harkin(D) [phone]
IL: Durbin(D) [phone]
IL: Obama(D) [phone]
IN: Bayh(D) No FAX listed
LA: Landrieu(D) [phone]
MA: Kennedy(D) [phone]
MA: Kerry(D) [phone]
MD: Mikulski(D) [phone]
MD: Sarbanes(D) [phone]
MI: Levin(D) [phone]
MI: Stabenow(D) [phone]
MN: Dayton(D) [phone]
MT: Baucus(D) [phone]
ND: Conrad(D) [phone]
ND: Dorgan(D) [phone]
NE: Nelson(D) [phone]
NJ: Corzine(D) [phone]
NJ: Lautenberg(D) [phone]
NM: Bingaman(D) [phone]
NV: Reid(D) [phone]
NY: Clinton(D) [phone]
NY: Schumer(D) [phone]
OR: Wyden(D) [phone]
RI: Reed(D) [phone]
SD: Johnson(D) [phone]
VT: Leahy(D) [phone]
VT: Jeffords(I) No FAX listed
WA: Cantwell(D) [phone]
WA: Murray(D) [phone]
WI: Feingold(D) [phone]
WI: Kohl(D) [phone]
WV: Rockefeller(D) [phone]
WV: Byrd(D) [phone]

FAX Numbers for the US Senate Republicans

AK: Murkowski(R) [phone]
AK: Stevens(R) [phone]
AL: Sessions(R) [phone]
AL: Shelby(R) [phone]
AZ: McCain(R) [phone]
AZ: Kyl(R) [phone]
CO: Allard(R) [phone]
FL: Martinez(R) [phone]
GA: Chambliss(R) [phone]
GA: Isakson(R) [phone]
IA: Grassley(R) [phone]
ID: Craig(R) [phone]
ID: Crapo(R) [phone] (Boise)
IN: Lugar(R) [phone]
KS: Brownback(R) [phone]
KS: Roberts(R) [phone]
KY: Bunning(R) [phone]
KY: McConnell(R) [phone]
LA: Vitter(R) [phone]
ME: Collins(R) [phone]
ME: Snowe(R) [phone]
MN: Coleman(R) [phone]
MO: Bond(R) [phone]
MO: Talent(R) [phone]
MS: Cochran(R) [phone]
MS: Lott(R) [phone]
MT: Burns(R) [phone]
NC: Burr(R) [phone]
NC: Dole(R) [phone]
NE: Hagel(R) [phone]
NH: Gregg(R) [phone]
NH: Sununu(R) [phone]
NM: Domenici(R) [phone]
NV: Ensign(R) [phone]
OH: Dewine(R) [phone]
OH: Voinovich(R) [phone]
OK: Coburn(R) [phone]
OK: Inhofe(R) [phone]
OR: Smith(R) [phone]
PA: Santorum(R) [phone]
PA: Specter(R) [phone]
RI: Chafee(R) [phone]
SC: DeMint(R) [phone]
SC: Graham(R) No FAX listed
SD: Thune(R) [phone]
TN: Alexander(R) [phone]
TN: Frist(R) [phone]
TX: Cornyn(R) [phone]
TX: Hutchison(R) [phone]
UT: Bennett(R) [phone]
UT: Hatch(R) [phone]
VA: Allen(R) [phone]
VA: Warner(R) [phone]
WY: Enzi(R) [phone]
WY: Thomas(R) [phone]

For those who would prefer to FAX them.

[drm604]

29. Wordie, thank you for that list! nt

[Wordie]

30. I can't take credit. It was longship who did the work.

Here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x122095