Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Day 2 – Thread 3

[CornField]

Thread 1 -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x245795

Thread 2 -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=248719&mesg_id=248719

[Sydnie]

1. thanks Cornfield

Didn't realize that Viva was not here.

[The Witch]

2. I couldn't take it. Byrd was too much. Switching to Randi.

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[RepublicanElephant]

3. specter calling for a vote now.

.

[Oreo]

here we go

I guess they were waiting to hear from Byrd

Saying they have no Dems scheduled to speak tomorrow.

[orleans]

6. what the hell are they doing????

[bigjohn16]

4. Is this it? are they calling for the vote? nt

[Wheezy]

5. eeep! Calling for a vote now!

Says they ran out of speakers ??

[doublethink]

7. Oh boy is Spector asking for a final vote ...... NOW?

are they trying to pre-empt Kerry's attempt at a Filibuster? :grr:

[orleans]

8. where is kerry???

[orleans]

10. a number of pressing matters

and they want to vote now???

because no one is there to speak?

how the hell can they vote?????

[Mr.Green93]

20. Davos

Switzerland.

[CornField]

9. Of course they are

No doubt many of the dems aren't even in chambers right now

[bmcatt]

14. Salazar's there and Specter's waiting for Reid

Specter "graciously" stated that he would hold off on calling for the vote until the Minority Leader arrived, but he also said that Sen. Reid was "on his way". He also noted that Sen. Salazar was there and could act as the Democratic Leader stand-in.

And Reid just arrived.

[bigjohn16]

13. Is there a rule that will allow the Democrats to delay the vote on cloture?

[Skidmore]

11. What's this unanimous consent stuff that Specter is

talking about?

[CornField]

16. From the Senate Glossary

unanimous consent - A Senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one Senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other Senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all Senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.

[LSparkle]

12. Damn it, this is TYPICAL of these slimebags!

Somebody, get out the phone book but don't let them get away with this!!!!

[low_phreaq]

24. And get your friends and family across the country to help!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x247241

[orleans]

15. DURBINS OFFICE SAYS IT IS NOT THE FINAL VOTE

[orleans]

19. his staffer said it can't be the big vote

because a lot of republicans are out of town

[Skidmore]

21. Then someone better get their ass to the floor and tell

Specter he does not have unanimous consent on this. Like 15 minutes ago.

Move!

[LSparkle]

17. Can they call for a vote when some Senators aren't even there?

I know Barbara Boxer was in California earlier this week -- is she even in D.C.? They can't have a vote if all aren't present, right????

[Burning Water]

88. Yep.

Couldn't afford to let business shut down beause of one whacko, nut-job wasn't there, you know. Or whatever reason. But they do need a quorum. I'm not sure of the number 2/3s? 1/2? some percent of all members to be present. This allows a significant minority to shut down business.

[ticapnews]

18. Did Magic Bullet Boy just complain about how much he's lost on airfare?

Because they had to stay and debate Alito? That's what it sounded like to me, but I could be hearing things...

[berner59]

23. Reid being cryptic...

love it!!!!

Specter trying to get an answer out of him...Reid not budging...

[LSparkle]

22. Wait -- Reid just said something about Snowe and Chafee

"making accommodations" for them. Have they decided to jump ship and vote NO?

[Skidmore]

25. What accommodations?

What kind of horse trading is going on here?

[LSparkle]

28. I have no idea but if it involves getting Snowe and Chafee to vote no

I'm in favor of it. They're both reasonable -- whatever they want we should give them (IMHO).

[radio4progressives]

43. but they both vote down the party line ... so we shouldn't hold our breath

for them..

[radio4progressives]

38. that's what we all have a right to know... what kind of horse trading is

going on...

[Idioteque]

29. I think he was talking about the LIHEAP funding. n/t

[LSparkle]

26. Specter's just grandstanding ...

He even admitted many Senators are overseas. He can't SERIOUSLY want a vote with only 5 Senators present ... !!!

[gkhouston]

30. so is he doing this to draw Reid out? To find out whether

Kerry/Kennedy are doing a two-man show or are part of a larger Dem resistance?

[LSparkle]

34. Maybe that's why Reid threw out Snowe and Chafee's names

Trying to strike some fear in MagicBullet.

[ticapnews]

35. He wants to try to force a vote now because the Democrats are stalling

and because there are apparently several Democrats who are not available to vote right now

[gkhouston]

40. Stalling? Floor debate began yesterday morning.

We're gonna be stuck with this guy for the rest of his life. We can't even spend two whole work days on it?

"Decide now" is a bullshit tactic employed by used car salesman. I'd like to imagine our Senators are more respectable than that.

[ticapnews]

49. That's not how I see it, but that's essentially what Specter was saying

The Democrats have speakers scheduled later but not now. He wants them to talk now or they end debate and vote now. He doesn't want to wait until tomorrow...

Reid is talking about not voting until next week! :)

[gkhouston]

51. it's almost 3:30 in DC

is it really gonna break their hearts to knock off a little early today? :eyes:

[berner59]

36. That's my take....

All this posturing is funny..."will my distinguished colleague"...crap... Specter wants the dirt... Reid is mum...what drama...

[jean]

65. Reid v Spector? Hands down, Reid will prevail, one way or another

[bmcatt]

32. He wants to schedule a vote for Monday

That's what the grand-standing is about. Evidently, he peeked at a calendar for tomorrow and said "The Democrats don't have any speakers listed, so..."

What a schmuck...

[orleans]

47. frist apparently requested the vote and specter said it's in the

middle of the afternoon, the blood sugar gets a little low, so frist probably turned on the tv

so there's frist--overseas in some lounge, watching cartoons, remembers this "debate" is on, he's board, popping a few candies, maybe something else, calls specter and says "do it!" then he scratches himself and takes another sip of gin.

it could've happened.

[ticapnews]

27. There are only 5 senators there now

Several senators are overseas...

The GOP clearly want to push this through while Democrats aren't available to vote...

edit: a 6th apparently just walked into the chamber...

[RepublicanElephant]

31. reid keeps messing with specter's head. hillarious! (n/t)

.

[Marnieworld]

33. I can't believe Specter

WTF is happening? How dare they request a vote now? Unfreakinbelievable!

[orleans]

37. frist requested it

aka low blood sugar at the republican conference overseas?

[Kurovski]

45. Since Reid and Spector are chuckling

I think it's a little joke.

Or at least, it's a joke NOW...

[AZBlue]

39. Awwww....are we messing with his weekend plans??

:wtf:

[gkhouston]

44. hey, he can take his weekend

and we'll have the vote after the State of the Union address. No rush. :7

[RepublicanElephant]

46. yeah... he's not gonna make that ben franklin birthday bash.

he'll just have to bash franklin and all his "liberty" talk instead.

[Wheezy]

41. IF I understand it correctly, the vote Specter

was calling for just now was a vote to end the debate time (cloture), and to set an actual vote on Alito for Monday at 5:30.

[ticapnews]

50. For the purposes of this confirmation, the only vote that matters

is the cloture vote. If cloture is invoked Alito is confirmed easily. If cloture is not invoked then we start all over again.

[gkhouston]

53. agreed.

If this drags out, we might see some "yes" votes turn to "no".

[LSparkle]

42. And now a REPUG is speaking? Right after Specter wanted to vote?

WTF is going on here?

[orleans]

48. they are such jerks!

specter bowed down to frist.

[ticapnews]

52. So if I understand correctly...

This confirmation is so important that the Senate Majority Leader is overseas during the debate over the confirmation? It's good to see cat-killer taking this all so seriously.

[cyberpj]

54. And I wonder who paid for his trip? nt

[CornField]

55. I know this is wrong of me

But Republican Senators all look and sound alike to me.

[Sydnie]

56. That's it ... they are clones!

that explains it completely! :rofl:

I think you are right. Three uniforms. Short, helmet hair; tall, helmet hair; round, helmet hair*






* Specter is given a pass on the helmet hair due to his chemo. He is attempting to comply again as we speak.

(just being a bit flippant here. needed a laugh ... even if I am laughing alone) :rofl:

[jean]

69. They walk in lockstep, you're not wrong.

[kpete]

57. Whats this about?

Reid May Be Folding - It's Now or Never on the Filibuster
Word is that Reid and Frist may have reached an agreement on a unanimous consent order regarding the time for an up or down vote on the Alito nomination. Any Senator can come to the floor and object, so it's now or never - if Kerry is serious, he better get his ass to the floor.

http://realvalues.blogspot.com/2006/01/reid-may-be-folding-its-now-or-never.html

[ticapnews]

58. This is a little behind the times...

The discussion already took place on the floor. Reid did not fold, in fact he pissed in Magic Bullet Boy's Cheerios right there on the floor of the Senate. It was beautiful.

[kpete]

61. Thanks

good to hear, back to the phone and the mouse...

[Sydnie]

64. It was a thing of beauty n/t

[never cry wolf]

59. Obama up now...n/t

[Skidmore]

60. Obama....

I adore Obama.

[Jesterstear]

62. 2 Dem turncoats

According to Reuters, two Democrats have stated that they are backing Alito - Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

This is unforgivable. If you are in the states of either of these traitors, do all you can to get a new Democratic challenger to unseat them.

[Edgewater_Joe]

63. No -- THREE Turncoats

Robert Byrd is also voting for Alito.

[Old Vet]

66. Son of a bitch...................That hurt

[ticapnews]

70. Four...four Dem turncoats

It's like watching Sesame Street :P

Robert Byrd
Tim Johnson
Mary Landrieu
Ben Nelson

Anyone who votes for cloture is voting for Alito. Spin doctors can knock themselves out trying to convince us otherwise. Landrieu said she will vote for cloture. If she does, she is voting for Justice Alito. End of story. C-SPAN has not included her in the count because she has not made her declaration in the Senate chamber.

With Jeffords siding with us, we currently have 41 votes for a filibuster. We still need to hear from Bayh, Cantwell, Conrad, Dayton, Dorgan, Lautenberg, Menendez, Pryor, Rockefeller and Sarbanes (according to C-SPAN). If any of them cave, we can't filibuster.

[ralps]

67. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware will vote no althought he thinks he will

be confirmed.

[ralps]

68. Sen Carl Levin of Michigan up now, He cannot support Alito's

nomination.

[Occulus]

71. Ah, good.

I never expected otherwise. Levin knows, perhaps better than most, which way the wind blows... and he doesn't need to put a finger to the wind to know it.

[ClayZ]

72. CNN : Kerry to call for filibuster....Developing story!

[low_phreaq]

73. LBN thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2067492

[low_phreaq]

75. Let's Rock! Call your friends and family!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x247241

[Ammonium]

79. Kerry

God lets hope so! After that screwjob he got in 04 lets hope he's ready to play hardball back

[The Witch]

74. Who's up? Any update on when Kerry's comin'?

[ralps]

76. Sen. Carl Levin is on now

[LoKnLoD]

77. Kerry is in Switzerland or someplace

at a economic conference

[The Witch]

78. So no reason to stick around waiting for him today, then?

Kerry, get your butt off the ski slopes. We need you NOW.

[CottonBear]

80. I tried calling Snowe, Landrieu, Nelson (NE) & Byrd: all lines busy.

I already called Collins, Specter and Jeffords (prior to him saying he'd vote yes earlier today.) I called my GA Republican senators (like that's gonna help.) Everyone keep calling, faxing and overnighting letters! If we don't fight and take a stand now it may be 35 long, dark years ahead of us.

[CornField]

81. Try their branch office lines

[ticapnews]

84. I got through to Snowe's office.

Also, call branch offices and send faxes if you can.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

85. Call their district office thats what I did with Byrd

[CottonBear]

90. I just throught o Byrd's DC office. Receptionist sounded worn out

when I asked him to vote no and sort of sighed when I added "he must filibuster in order to save the constitution."

[ralps]

82. "The doubts are too nagging & the stakes are too high to vote for Alito"

my paraphrasing of Sen. Levin.

[GOTV]

83. Kerry calls for filibuster

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/26/alito/index.html

[Ammonium]

86. Craig

Blah Larry Craig...I think if you look hard enough you can see the shit still on his nose from all of his presidential ass kissing.

[ralps]

87. Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho up now

[ralps]

89. Yah Yah Alito might have overseen those crime cases but did he win them!!!

[ralps]

91. Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee on now

[DrRang]

104. Byrd's DC number: "Mailbox is full" at 3:25 mountain time n/t

[ralps]

92. Sen. Frist & Sen Harry Reid up now

[ralps]

94. Frist wants an up or down vote, & a time to have the vote

[doublethink]

93. Frist.

:grr:

[Avalux]

95. Up or down vote - blah blah blah!!

:nopity:

[gkhouston]

101. sure, we can have one

right after that up-or-down vote on Miers.

[Coexist]

96. meeee-ow n/t

[ralps]

98. Cloture motion on now!!!!!!!!!!! vote on it monday at 4:30 Monday passed

w/out objection.

[ticapnews]

97. Cat killer got back here awfully fast.

Wasn't he "overseas" watching on TV just a couple hours ago?

[ticapnews]

99. Cloture vote is scheduled for Monday 4:30PM

If cloture is invoked the confirmation vote will be at 11AM Tuesday. State of the Union day...

[MsUSA]

100. Kerry to filibuster was headline on Minnesota Public Radio

news on the half hour. I also sent a not to Randi Rhodes.

[doublethink]

102. Gawdddddd couldn't tell Elizabeth Dole isn't a Repub could you?

Couldn't get any RED-ER.

[ralps]

103. Sen Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina up now. Gack talk about a die job on

her hair!!! Didn't she used to have brown hair?

[ralps]

106. I found a Photo of her!!!!! LOL She sure has changed

[Kurovski]

109. She should take a warning from the Michael Jackson

foray into the world of plastic surgery.

She's lookin' freaky. she's starting to look like a self-deluded 5th Avenue madam. But then it's fitting that she look as though she works in a whore house.

Well, whatever blows her boner-pill salesman/husband's kilt up, I guess.

[Lasher]

105. OK, I just got back from being out most of the day.

Looks like I missed some fireworks. Does anyone feel like giving me a Readers' Digest?

[ralps]

108. Republicans-Blah, blah, Alito's a good man; Democrats- most of them

oppose Alito, Byrd probably will vote for Alito, Cloture vote scheduled for Monday at 4:30 pm.

[Lasher]

112. Thanks, ralps

I have been reviewing the threads and it looks like you have offered an accurate summary. I don't like hearing Byrd is going to vote for Alito. I am a voting constituent. Think I'll call his office. I could forgive him if he doesn't support a filibuster, but I want him to vote against Alito. I noticed that my other Senator, Rockefeller, has not yet let it be known how he will vote.

Lasher

[ralps]

107. Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina up now

[Lasher]

110. How did DeMint get so smart?

He knows everything Democrats will do. Did he just say Dems will take families' homes, just to increase tax revenue? The more he talks, the less I like him.

[Kurovski]

111. Sen. Olympia Snowe is coming up!

I have no idea what she's gonna do. She's a pro-choice moderate though, isn't she?

[ralps]

113. My sister & brother in law both live in Maine. I called them yesterday

asking them to call both Olympia Snowe & Susan Collins & ask them to vote no on Alito. I haven't heard back from them yet on whether they made those calls.

[Kurovski]

115. I called her office, too. Not ffom Maine, but I donate to campaigns.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

114. Thread 4 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=364

[Kurovski]

116. here's the direct link.

You sent me to the board! Are you trying to get rid of me? ;-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x252732

[Viva_La_Revolution]

117. oops!

trying to hurry! I have a few minutes, then I have to go again! :(

[Kurovski]

118. Hey, you're doing a great job.

Thank you! :thumbsup:

No one faults you for trying to ditch me! :evilgrin: