A 'Yes' vote on cloture is a 'Yes' vote for Alito

[Walt Starr]

Make sure that the Repugnants (like Chaffee) understand that.

[Justitia]

1. You are so right, it is the direct outcome. -eom

[Walt Starr]

4. Landrieu needs to have that made clear to her

They can't have it both ways. Yes on cloture means Yes on Alito regardless of how they vote on the floor for Alito.

[seabeyond]

8. and you are just the man to do it

hey, i know you cant tell but love you walt. wink. i think i wil skip out of your thread and let you at it. but always, good to see you

[Walt Starr]

10. I don't live in Louisiana

and they're not taking calls from people who do not live in Louisiana.

[mattclearing]

2. Amen. n/t

[converted_democrat]

3. I agree completely.. I just wish we could get the Dem leadership to see it

this way..

[kentuck]

5. That is true, Walt...

Write down the names. Don't forget them.

[flpoljunkie]

6. They know alright, Walt, but they are counting on no one bringing it up.

Thanks for putting it so succinctly! Get the word out!

[seabeyond]

7. do we have to go by your definition walt? is it a fact? n/t

[Walt Starr]

9. any Senator who votes in favor of cloture

has effectively said, "Alito becoming a SCOTUS Justice is fine by me".

some are going to try and have it both ways, though. They'll vote in favor of cloture and will vote No on Alito, even though they had already effectively voted Yes by affirming cloture.

[seabeyond]

11. so is that a yes. that i have to believe they are saying alito is fine

with them? no room for disagreement?

[Walt Starr]

14. Nope, no room for disagreement as far as I'm concerned. n/t

[seabeyond]

15. na haaaa. that is funny. no one tells me how i have to think

evah. even when i was little, oh so little. right walt. that is funny. to me.

[Walt Starr]

18. Read the post "as far as I'm concerned". n/t

[tritsofme]

12. Point becomes moot once the count gets up to 60 votes

for confirmation.

[iamjoy]

13. And A Vote Against Women

among other things...
if you vote for Alito you are not pro reproductive rights.

heck, a vote for Alito is a vote against liberty.

[Neecy]

16. Are they required to have a cloture vote?

If not, Reid might avoid it to protect members who don't support the filibuster. It's an election year, and Reid knows there's a lot of fury out here over the lack of a filibuster.

Not saying it's right, but I suppose it's good politics if we hope to take back the Senate.

[Walt Starr]

17. Yes, in order to end debate on any given matter, cloture must be invoked

which requires an affirmative vote by 3/5 of the Senate.

[Neecy]

21. thanks for the info...

[Walt Starr]

23. It is possible to give unanimous consent

which would mean every Dem voted in favor of Alito, regardless of how the subsequent vote comes down.

[tritsofme]

22. Or a unanimous consent motion.

Which seems to be more of what the poster is talking about.

[Walt Starr]

24. That would mean every last Dem in the Senate voted in favor of Alito

If that's what they want to do, it'll tell us a lot.

It would require a Repugnant asking for unanimous consent to invoke cloture and for not a single Democrat to object. That would mean every last Democrat in the Senate is saying it's fine for Alito to be on the SCOTUS.

[BillZBubb]

20. Why is it good politics? I think it is terrible politics.

How many people won't vote for the Democrats in November because they filibustered a non-entity like Alito? Not a single friggin' one who would vote for them otherwise. We lose no votes by filibustering. People for whom Alito on the court is a big issue would never vote Dem anyway. Why can't people understand this simple fact???? By not filibustering, a big part of the base, like me, will be totally demoralized. I've just about had it with our Vichy leadership.

By filibustering, even if we fail, the Democratic base will be energized for once. We'll see our guys are really willing to fight for us for a change. Our side will have something to be excited about. The Repugs will also be put on notice that the days of rolling over and through. Many moderate voters will see that the Democrats actually will fight for something they believe in and that will HELP our image, not hurt it.

[Neecy]

25. I don't agree with it...

But when the Alito vote comes to the floor and *if* he's confirmed, just watch this board erupt in pain and rage. The Vichy Dems will lose our campaign money, our time pounding wards, our votes. Would Reid want to avoid that scenario for political reasons in an election year? Sure.

Again, I'm not saying it's right, but of course he'd do whatever he could to protect his members and try to get a majority this year.

[Walt Starr]

26. If the Democrats agree to unanimous consent on cloture, then they

have unanimously confirmed Alito. There is no in between. Cloture = Alito is confirmed. The actual vote is just bullshit frosting on top.

If the Democrats want to unanimously confirm Alito, they will ahve to face whatever consequences that action carries with it.

[Neecy]

27. interesting....

So, what do you think Reid will do? I haven't quite figured him out yet.

[Walt Starr]

28. Let the cloture vote be taken and let the chips fall where they may

If Lieberman, for instance, votes in favor of cloture, he will face a hugely tough primary.

That's how it has to fall out or else those from strongly left leaning states could face a backlash from the base.

[leeroysphitz]

19. I am WATCHING you Mr. Levine, Mrs. Stabenow.... n/t