WP: Frist Likely to Push for Ban on Filibusters

[kskiska]

Friday, April 15, 2005; Page A04

Failure Risks Conservatives' Ire; Success May Prompt Legislative Stalemate

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is all but certain to press for a rule change that would ban filibusters of judicial nominations in the next few weeks, despite misgivings by some of his fellow Republicans and a possible Democratic backlash that could paralyze the chamber, close associates said yesterday.

The strategy carries significant risks for the Tennessee Republican, who is weighing a 2008 presidential bid. It could embroil the Senate in a bitter stalemate that would complicate passage of President Bush's agenda and raise questions about Frist's leadership capabilities. Should he fail to make the move or to get the necessary votes, however, Frist risks the ire of key conservative groups that will play big roles in the 2008 GOP primaries.

Frist feels he has no acceptable options to seeking the rule change unless there is a last-minute compromise, which neither party considers plausible, according to senators and aides close to the situation. "I think it's going to happen," Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said this week, although he would prefer that Frist wait to allow more legislation to pass before the Senate explodes in partisan recriminations. Aides privy to senior Republicans' thinking concur with Thune.

In response to the rising stakes and sense of an inevitable showdown, Frist and his allies are churning out speeches, articles and talking points, and enlisting the aid of Ed Gillespie, former chairman of the National Republican Committee. Frist said he is trying to catch up to Democrats and their allies, who set up a Capitol "war room" and are spending millions of dollars on TV ads denouncing the proposed rule change -- or "nuclear option" -- as a power grab.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54661-2005Apr14.html

[jefferson_dem]

1. Bring it on, punk!

Hope Frist the bitch enjoys running for pres having created a shambles of his legislative chamber and ushering in the "do nothing" - chimpy's agenda DOA - Senate!

[saltpoint]

2. If Frist bites down on this lure, the hidden hooks will --

-- rip his mealy mouth to pieces.

Bad move, CAT BUTCHER.

[Goldeneye]

3. Why would anyone put themselves in a lose-(probably) lose situation?

Especially if they were going to handle it as lame-assedly as Frist has been.

[mmonk]

4. Here's a football analogy Mr. Allen,

Frist will be sacked.

[Mr.Green93]

5. They are bluffing

They don't have the votes.

[jefferson_dem]

6. Thinking in terms of sheer gamesmanship, this is a HUGE risk.

That is, it's far from clear that he even have the votes necessary to pull off the nuke strike.

I've heard McCain, Hagel, Collins, Chafee, Specter, and Snowe may be wavering Repugs. And Ben Nelson could be the only Dem on the fence. Anyone have a conprehensive link to which Sens are "in play"?

[fishnfla]

7. OMG! Thank you so much!

Between Delay and Frist, its Christmas over here! The Dems could not have better allies than them