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In reviewing the votes from cloture to passage on Southwick, the following three Senators voted for cloture, but not for the nominee:
Carper, Thomas R.- (D – DE)
Inouye, Daniel K.- (D – HI)
Salazar, Ken- (D – CO)
I’d like an explanation. And it had better not just be “comity” or “go along to get along” or “they promised to vote for our budget…only until the President vetoes it, that is” that put Southwick into a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. Because that is not good enough. Not by a long shot.
And while I’m at it, what in the hell was Ben Nelson of Nebraska doing cutting a deal on Southwick behind the scenes with Trent Lott? And why is it that the Democratic leadership continues to get its ass kicked on whip counts and back-door deals by the GOP?
A hands-off posture by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and promises from key Republicans to help smooth the way for deals on outstanding appropriations bills appear to be the right recipe for the Senate confirmation this week of controversial appellate court nominee Leslie Southwick….
“The goal is to get up-or-down votes on judges,” Nelson said. “Also, it’s to set a spirit of compromise as we move through the appropriations process.”
Details were vague, but Senators and aides suggested that negotiations involve helping bring the White House to the table and avert vetoes on future appropriations bills. The deal also was designed to ensure that enough Republicans would vote with Democrats to block a possible filibuster of an omnibus spending package later this year — should Democrats decide to wrap the appropriations bills into one catchall measure.
Beyond the spending bills, Nelson and Lott appealed to Senators to keep the judicial process from falling into gridlock by supporting today’s procedural motion to bring Southwick’s confirmation to the floor for an up-or-down vote on the merits. That was the argument made in 2005 when both Nelson and Lott were involved in the creation of the bipartisan “Gang of 14,” which brokered a deal to stave off filibusters of stalled Bush administration judicial nominees except under “extraordinary circumstances.”
Those familiar with the bargaining on Southwick said Lott was at the heart of the discussions, but on Tuesday the Minority Whip offered little detail beyond acknowledging that Democratic support for Southwick likely would be returned in kind. He added that bipartisan cooperation on the confirmation could serve as the catalyst to stop the Senate from “continuing to spiral into partisan political bickering.”…
In case anyone is wondering, yes, I am peevish. Because the Nelson quote at the end there truly is the most naive and idiotic thing I have heard all week — especially given the veto threats still looming out there for each and every budget question that still has to pass the House and Senate. Comity my ass…
The cloture vote roll call is posted here. Final vote roll call is posted here.
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Christy!
Now to the post. (I’m quite peevish also.)
The leadership of Pelosi, Hoyer and Reid is absolutely feckless.
Can we not take a page from the book of great Congressional wranglers, such as Lyndon B. Johnson, and, you know, actually manage our own caucus?
Strange, I can’t see why the diff in the cloture vote and in the confirmation for those three. Pbbbt.
We need a THIRD party !
Can I get you more kool-aid, Senator Nelson?
Does this mean we are Peevish Sex-Crazed Vegetarian Pacifists?
To avoid any additional head banging on my keyboard, let’s keep the unpleasantness of the last thread on that thread.
Biodun @ 1
Lookee here, #1.
Ish @ 3
I’m beginning to think the core assumption about these people — that they are in opposition to the Republicans — is completely wrong.
Otherwise, to make sense of what they’re doing is leading me straight into the loony bin…
Wow Code Pinker got all up in Condi’s face!
I’m with RBG at 7.
raven @ 10
Hmm? Linky?
RBG @ 7
I’m a proud member of the PSCVP (although on the carnivore side of the fence)
Christy Hardin Smith @ 11
Me, too, but I’m a Failed Vegetarian…
Christy Hardin Smith @ 11
Well then, fourth.
RBG @ 7
AMEN!!!
big bob @ 5
Actually, we need a SECOND party — and to paraphrase Lincoln, since the DC Democrats don’t seem to have any interest in actually being a majority party, might we borrow the Democratic Party for a while?
Speaking as a resident of Colorado, Salazar has been about a 100 percent disappointment.
Three NOT voting…. Boxer, Dodd & Kennedy … IF all three voted NO this yahoo would NOT been on MY Appeal bench. I understand if Kennedy might be off for health reasons but WHY no votes?
Harry “Eleven-Percent” Reid comes through again, i.e., comes through for the Bush administration by yet again fumbling on the five-yard line. Perhaps it is time for him to step aside and let someone else carry the ball.
*Insert rimshot and canned laughter here*
katymine @ 19
Dodd is in Iowa, I believe….
OT and way late, but thank you, Christy, for linking to Oleta Adams and Get Here upteen threads and days ago. That holds all the longing, yearning, pain and hope I have on days like this. Thanks!
Where’s Senator Dodd today? Where’s the outrage???
katymine — Actually, he still would have been on the bench with the votes. Kennedy is out from his surgery. Boxer is dealing with fire issues in CA, I hear. And I’m not sure on Dodd, but I have inquiries out…
But Southwick still would have made it through with their votes, sad to say.
So Byrd voted Aye for cloture after all…
peanutbutter @ 12
Footage on MSNBC. OOO, this is a good one protestor attacks condoleezza
The Democratic leadership does not understand the old saying: “Lead, follow or get the Hell out of the way.”
I think it is time for new leadership for the Democrats in Congress.
peanutbutter @ 9
I’m starting to agree. I feel like I need to sit down and talk with Harry Reid like he’s a six-year-old: “if those boys tell you to do something and it hurts or gets you in trouble, they are not your friends. Okay? That’s not how friends behave.”
17
Second that request. And while we’ve got it borrowed, can we kick out all of the ones who’d rather be Republican-Lite every time it counts?
Biodun at 26 — Yes — but the first vote was Burr of NC. It’s always confusing trying to figure out which one is being announced, so I’ve learned to listen closely because the clerks try to enunciate the “d” at the end for Byrd really clearly to deliniate.
RBG @ 7
Agreed. But we know who the culprits are. As I said, if we have any more days like today this week, we’ll all be off the rails…*g*
And let’s have a big hand for Dianne Feinstein who made all this possible. Another natural disaster to go along with the earthquakes, fires, and mudslides.
RBG @ 7
Original comment deleted by author.
I can keep the peace.
And yo, raven!
Hugh @ 33
:PPP
Christy Hardin Smith @ 25
Duh…. looking at the final vote and not cloture vote…
Not knocking but so sad….. that the lesson that Dodd has shown up the Dems fake meme that they HAVE to have 60 votes to do anything. It only takes ONE person with a spine to stop this runnaway bus careening wildly out of control
Hugh @ 33
How’s your daughter? :)
Senator Dodd can be in Iowa campaigning and not be called to the carpet for missing an “important” vote, but Obama gets castrated for doing exactly the same thing. Hmmmm
Bush is at the State Dept. now giving a lecture on U.S. policy on Cuba (C-SPAN 3).
Biodun @ 32
FWIW, the Full Moon is Friday morning early.
Biodun @ 35
word
Thank you FDL bloggers for your hard work on this.
Somewhat off topic, but it seems the National Ledger is incapable of reading Amazon book sale numbers.
Did you ever in your wildest dreams imagine that you would be fighting to preserve the Constitution of the United States of America against the very people you voted for? I feel like Sisyphus, I get that rock almooooost to the top of the hill and then lucy comes and kicks the damn rock down the hill and I have to start all over again, but you know what, I aint going to quit.
I made phone calls to day, Barak’s staff was very nice, from Hillary’s staff was noncommittal, the old yea, yea, yea, I hear your concerns goodbye.
KinMO @ 40
goddess save us!
Ah. Just like how, back in college, we weren’t trying to get our dates tipsy. We were trying to set a spirit of compromise.
OT fire stuff – pb – sheesh! Hamilton Truck Trail, off Live Oak Canyon Rd. is burning hard… dammit – its not looking good around here… not good at all…
Why can’t Congress Dems simply behave like the opposition party till January 2009?
DiFi JoeLie = America in Crisis… Oh, My!
Democrats don’t play to win. They play to tie. They WANT to share power, not control it. I find this utterly perplexing. Is their a single elected Democrat whose goal is to neuter the Republican Party? Because that’s what it should be.
kdh22 — Yes, because everything in life needs to be a conspiracy theory…jeebus.
katymine @ 19
wrt kennedy. i called the morning (when christy asked us to in the first thread)… he was expected back in dc this week, but now not until next week. i hope he’s ok and wish for his full recovery.
KinMO @ 40
WTF does he know about US foreign policy?
Video of the “attack” on Condi.
Biodun @ 53
Edited by JF
RBG @ 7
Who says I’m a vegetarian? Them’s fighting words. I’m tired of all this whistlepiffery and casualacualism. I’m too much of a gentleman to tell all you gramfradgits that you can all bassfrazzle til you bonk but I am thinking it.
katymine @ 19
oh, and dodd just went to iowa.
i actually cut him some slack (but not if his vote would have been the deciding one), because he’s made a big commitment to work to block immunity in the fisa bill which may require lots of time in dc.
JF @ 55
What does he know about giving a lecture?
OldCoastie @ 47
Oh no!
raven @ 38
About the same as yesterday. *g*
Politics 101 Christy
Every politician is a politician before he is an elected official.
Not a conspiracy, a fact.
Maddy @ 44
that is what makes this all so painful, we have so few champions
JF @ 55
Final corrections and emendations by PB.
BTW:
Anyone itching for a fight can repair to the previous thread. They’re still duking it out there…
Can’t back room deals benefit the Democratic party once in awhile?
peanutbutter @ 59
they’ve got helicopters on it but its like pissing on the fire. that’s a VERY narrow, steep little canyon and the end of Hamilton Truck is about 25′ from the end of old Trabuco Oakes… you know those little hundred year old cabins won’t survive… crap!
And yes, raven:
Bush giving a lecture? That’s laughable. Only professors and teaching assistants give lectures.
Alice @ 62
Look in the mirror
OC @ 47
So Oakie Dokie and Hunky Dory are probably goners too?
(We have some really strange street names in places. They can be good stress relievers. Silverado Canyon had some real winners.)
OMG!! George is trying to speak Spanish now. What a dip.
KinMO @ 70
His Spanish is about as good as my Mandarin.
Now, Ben, why would you want to do that?
They aren’t *your* judges, are they? They aren’t nominated by *your* party’s president, they aren’t promoting *your* party’s policies or politics or Jesus Fucking Christ, even promoting a coherent vision of Constitutional interpretation that’s worth a bucket of warm spit, or, as Cheney calls it, “Spit-o-rade” (life, lemons, lemonade, vice-presidency; got it?) when he’s not inviting people like you to ignore the conflict between permitting “strict constructionists” onto the bench and then letting the Administration savage the Fourth Fucking Amendment.
Why do you think these judges need an upperdown vote?
Oh, because you do whatever Republicans tell you to do. What, now that Kerrey’s out, someone has to fill the turncoat-from-Nebraska shoes again?
“Also, it’s to set a spirit of compromise as we move through the appropriations process.”
Ah, yes. A spirit of compromise. What’s that, like the Ghost of Christmas Future, but with earmarks?
How has this guy not acquired a nickname like “Bend Over Ben Nelson”? Oh, because he gets Democrats to bend over for the Administration.
Bad news, guys. We’ve been playing poker for half an hour, and the sucker is us.
P J Evans @ 69
from looking at the tv, it looks like the fire crew is making a stand just over the crest of Harris Grade – so, not quite that far in from the Live Oak Canyon side, but who knows which way the fire will travel over the ridges?
Biodun @ 64
Good to know and avoid. The water looks fine here. The Democrats seem to specializing in meaningless cosmetic votes that they can vote against but which give the Republicans what they want.
Returning to Nelson’s inane statement. The Republicans get something up front for vague promises of “compromise” down the road. I don’t play poker but geez I would love to against these saps. I could become a rich man.
raven @ 54
Thanks for the link. Those ‘pinks’ were certainly dispatched with efficiency.
Condi seemed so composed and unruffled.
Probably a result of all her years in the struggle for civil rights.
Biodun @ 67
Ah, the didactic method, how terribly gauche!
What a failure this democracy is. According to Nelson, this wasn’t a vote on a judicial nomination, it was a vote for appropriation bills. They do NOT care about judges, as long as they get promises of votes on money bills. So, these votes are all meaningless, unless there is M-O-N-E-Y involved. They could not care less who is nominated. Nelson mentions compromise. That is not what a compromise is. You don’t allow a bad nomination in exchange for an appropriations bill. That is working between two distinct units, you can’t compromise between them. You can compromise within the appropriations bill but you don’t give away a nomination in exchange for some money. But that is all these clowns understand. When will we have governmental people in government, rather than crooks and liars?
Okay, which magic word did I use *this* time (to make a comment disappear)? ;-)
David W. Bartoo @ 73
Proly hangin around those Bay area biker bars.
David W. Bartoo @ 73
Gotta watch out for that irony, David…it’s dripping off my screen onto my keyboard….
raven @ 77
Mo’ likely.
Biodun @ 71
Nah, your Mandarin is probably better… “dos cerveza con tacos por favor” is probably the limit for him.
Chris @ 76
Swordfish?
Oh, orcatjf, how naive we all are. Anything, at any time, is a reason for Democrats to capitulate to Republicans.
Pending nominations, partisan bickering, presidential veto threats, months ending in “R”, days of the week ending in “Y”, you get the idea.
Ben Nelson just happens to have put this in unusually blunt and clear terms for us.
Toby Wollin @ 78
Sorry, but I thot irony dead and gone . . .
Biodun @ 64
Late to the lake today, so I went and looked at the last thread…Yikes!
I got scared and scurried back here so I could hang with the Peevish Sex-Crazed Vegetarian Pacifists.
Peace.
Chris @ 78
People who promote games of chance like to send lots of spam.
Need I say more?
heh, George said “freedom of speech”.
Reporting on Air America that Faux is reporting that the SoCAL fires were set by Al Qaeda
That the fires are an act of terrorism OMG…
KinMO @ 88
Adios?
Buck Fush!
This isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last.
In 1938, FDR backed a slate of New Deal Democrats, trying to unseat the reactionary Dixiecrats — every one of FDR’s candidates lost.
With ever increasing clarity we Democrats see Harry as Senate Leader in name only. Some call his style “hands off”.
I say he is a failed leader… hands down.
Step down Harry.
You don’t deserve any more opportunities to acquiesce to these Republicans you obviously fear so much.
katymine @ 87
“See, what Americans need to understand, is that we’re fighting dry air and high winds over there, so we don’t have to fight them over here.”
RBG @ 85: Ooooooh. Right. Of course. Nudge, nudge, wink-wink, say no more, say no more…
katymine @ 88
yeah, that ought help speed along everybody’s insurance checks /snark
f’ing nitwits.
Ish @ 94
Heh!
Ish @ 94
Now there is a topic for a lecture!
Getting back on topic:
From AP twenty-five minutes ago:
Bullsh*t!
katymine @ 87
OMG OMG
OldCoastie @ 95
Ya and read the fine print on your homeowners policy that ALL coverage is null and void during an ACT of WAR and after 911 the words Terrorism was added.
There is your Katrina moment
Oooooh, fires, al Queda, verrry scarrry!!!
I’m surprised Faux News hasn’t found the Democratic Islamofascist gay Iranian connection to the SoCal fires.
But I’m sure they’ve got a “crack-team of investigative reporters” on it.
OldCoastie @ 96
You just wait :-/
Stupidest load of malarky I ever heard, but those insurance companies will take any excuse…
On CSPAN 3, Bush’s speech on Cuba. He keeps throwing in one Spanish phrase here and there. His accent is terrible.
Democratic senators who expects Lott or this administration to keep a bargain, return a favor or moderate their position are lying to themselves or lying ot us. Nothing has been clearer during Bush’s presidency than that it will do NO such thing. It has reneged on promises, taken legislation off the floor and broken voting rules to prevent Democrats from even participating in legislation or votes that are important to them.
Reid and many of his Democrats are either willingly accepting the promises of serial liars or they are dumb as posts. I don’t think they’re dumb. I think they either don’t care or knowingly agree with the administration. Regardless. A score of sitting Democrats do not deserve to remain on the public payroll after next November.
From the same link as my 98:
Thanks, Dianne. Thanks so much.
Quick! Quick! This thread’s the antidote for the last! Grim stuff, we say ’stuff it!’
katymine @ 99
not really a leap considering BushCrew
I’m so confused. It’s chilly here today. Should I blame Clinton or al Qaeda?
still no fixed wing on our fire… gawd dammit! we need foscheck NOW!
peanutbutter @ 103
And there it is. The gift thrown out to the insurance companies so they don’t have to pay up. All those donations to the election funds are really paying off. Faux is just doing their job to help.
Hugh @ 104
I’ve always hated that fake texas accent he uses.
Butch @ 18
Salazar is not a progressive Democrat. Hell, I can’t see that he is a Democrat period.
Back on topic….
Questions:
Ok now that this Southwick yahoo is on the bench… and all the other unacceptable yahoos… how do we get them off the bench?
What can we do once they are on the bench?
Can they eventually be impeached in the HJC?
Is there an organization that monitors these yahoos opinions?
Since stopping them from upordownvote is there another way to remedy this?
Silly Hugh, EVERYTHING is Clinton’s fault.
OldCoastie @ 110
Brownie’s available for a interview or two, OC. Maybe he can do a SUPER interview and then all of you will get some fixed-wings out there?
Hugh @ 103
Yep. It’s a bad TexMex accent speaking Spanish. I’m not saying TexMex accent is bad speaking Spanish. Just Bush’s (failed) attempt at it.
Hugh @ 109
Global Warming.
I’m spoiling for a fight, just not with anyone in the FDL community. I am spoiling for a fight over control of the Democratic party and some serious primary challenges.
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
katymine @ 89
Bush is going to So Cal to personally fight terrorism. He’ll be wearing the flight suit and codpiece for sure! Maybe he’ll wear a cape!
Arnold’s Katrina? Governor vetoed bills to strengthen fire departments
and
Thank Santiago Fire First-Responders
OldCoastie @ 110
If you have to leave, we hope you have Christy’s number or something so that we can stick with you.
Prayers going out, OC.
Badwater @ 111:
See my 116.
JF @ 117
It’s now called climate change…*g*
Hugh @ 109
It’s Clinton working with al qaeda of course.
chisholm @ 50
I think there’s a lot of wisdom in this comment. They are playing by pre-1994(rather, pre-1988) rules, as if the old days will come back if we just make nicey-nicey. I also think there is a lot of log-rolling going on. It is politics as usual at one level, Senators and certain reps giving away stuff they don’t think is all that important (but we do) for stuff they think their constituents will thank them for. They are being played like suckers.
I also think they believe that the bad stuff will all go away when a Democrat (which they hope will be Hillary) is elected, so why get into fights that might cost something, when you can have what they regard as the shebang for nothing. The problem with that is they are giving away the big shebang, and it will take generations to get it back.
Toby Wollin @ 121
we’re seeing the flames, but so far, up here on the Plano, we are safe… if we need to go, we won’t hesitate.
Toby Wollin @ 120
((((OC!)))
OldCoastie @ 47
It’s wonderful here in San Diego now that the “three amigos” are here. Not tres amigos, but three amigos. Issa, Hunter, and Bilbray. Nothing could be more comforting, except knowing that our president will be here tomorrow.
Hi everyone! Just heard from a teammate that my neighborhood is in good shape. Still can’t go see for myself though…
Badwater @ 120
The cape (and whip) is I believe Condi’s thing.
Biodun @ 123
Indeed!
Loo Hoo!!!
Hugh @ 107
Weather hates our freedom.
Hugh @ 130
and the BOOTS, too..don’t forget the boots.
they just ran the news crew off from Live Oak Canyon Rd.
ADM @ 125
When did Gore change his last name?
good to see you, Loo Hoo!
Loo Hoo
That’s wonderful that your neighborhood is safe. It’s horrid for the others, I know but…
Oh LooHoo. Good news about you.
{{{OC}}}
Loo Hoo. @ 129
{{{{{{{{{{Loo Hoo}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Arizona has sent tons of fire fighting crews, equipment and three fixed wing planes… we have to be careful as we are also hot, dry and windy here.
Faux Noise has given us a way to bring our troops home………
Since we are NOW fighting them over here….. we need our National Guard home to fight them here!
Meanwhile, dear Condi finds a scapegoat/fall guy:
Blackwater is simply another example of Condi’s woeful failures as Secretary of State. As I said a little while ago: She also fell on her ass as National Security Adviser.
Biodun @ 2
“Seethe, people, of the United States…”
Condi is the Brownie of the State Dept.
Only much less likeable.
-GSD
GSD @ 144
But with better shoes.
Yea Loo Hoo!
Demi said she’s been talking to you on the phone. Glad your place is safe…
GSD @ 144
Though OT, I couldn’t help myself over at TNH:
Loo Hoo. @ 129
Yeah, my condolences on the prezidental visit. Hope he doesn’t get in the way of too much. Didja see Garamendi basically say Bush needn’t come out there were better ways to be useful?!
OC — stay safe!
Ay-HEM. Update. Peace deal has been brokered on last thread.
Loo Hoo!
Great News.
Yippee Yiyay.
A sports analogy:
Our team takes the field after playing defense for far too long. Head coach Reid turns to offensive coordinator Pelosi and says, “Well, what play do you think we ought to run now?”
“I don’t know,” says Pelosi. “we might try a pass, but they could intercept it and run it back for a touchdown. Too risky.”
“True,” says Reid, “but if we try to run the ball, they’ve got an awfully big defensive line and we could get pushed back behind the line and maybe even fumble.”
“Good point.” answers Pelosi. “I have an idea. Since the quarterback option is off the table, lets take three kneeldowns and punt.”
“I like it,” Reid grins. “That’s the fighting spirit. We can give ‘em hell with that punt!”
“And we can always say we didn’t have the votes, er, blockers. That should keep the crowd quiet”
Way to go, guys!!!
Loo Hoo — So glad your house is still okay. And that you are safe. :)
Just a reminder for everyone: we have what promises to be an excellent Film Salon scheduled for tomorrow morning at 11 am ET/8 am PT. Hope everyone can join us for it!
Best wishes to all of you out in California threatened by these fires. Hope you are and remain OK.
GSD @ 144
Has any Bush crony been a success in any position? Republics should have to answer for this for years to come. They won’t because the Democrats are barely recognizable as an opposition party. Was Nader mostly correct?
oddmommy @ 149
It’s nice to see that the “spirit of compromise” has found a new place to land.
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius a quar ri usssss
by the way, Jane has a fresh thread. *g*
Pat Robertson (& he wasn’t the only one) said hurricanes were God’s punishments at one time. Now Fake News says the fires were set by Al Qaeda. I wonder how they all decide which are acts of God or acts of terrorists. It’s just sooo confusing for secular sinners.
BTW:
It’s slowly turning into a love-fest in the previous thread.
(From the Thread Reporter. That’s my FDL official title/byline from now on. And I’m sure that’s great news to Jane and Christy.)
Firefighters now say they have the Santiago Fire 50 percent contained – a big increase after several days in which it was only 30 percent contained. – 9:53 a.m.
Woohoo! for Loo Hoo
ironranger @ 158
It’s not confusing. They just go with the explanation that they think benefits the Republics most.
Biodun @ 142
When Blackwater came up during the Middle east conference this morning all Condi talked about was what a great job that Blackwater had done protecting Diplomats. She mentioned that she had “appointed a senior panel of outside experts” who “probed in depth 36o degrees”.
Did not mention once …not once the crimes that Blackwater has committed against innocent Iraqi people.
Also talked about the Embassy and that she hoped to preside over that opening.
peanutbutter @ 9
We don’t know the future and we live in hope, but there comes a time when present reality no longer supports hope of future change. After a lot of Democratic foolishness, you are coming to realize they are part of the problem, but from what you post, your jury is still out. How much more proof you need, is up to you.
The general assumption of this blog seems to be that the opinions expressed here represent the opinions of the great majority of the American people. That may be true, or not. We should think about ways of proving that point.
I like the no buying day, as I have said too many times before. People can protest with no risk. But the problem remains, how to we get word around for that or anything else to have a meaningful result? No point having a protest so small no one notices.
peanutbutter @ 160
at this moment, that is small comfort! I think the north end of the fire is under control, but not the south… it’s getting into some very rough territory.
Badwater:
Of course, it all makes sense now. Benefiting Republicans is God’s will.
Loo Hoo. @ 129
Stay safe. Have the winds died down yet?
Has Castro offered help yet?
ironranger @ 166
I believe that’s one of the Repulbic platform planks.
Badwater@168:
Tax cuts & God in one breath.
Knut Wicksell @ 126
If I were to put on a tin foil hat, I’d say the Congress critters don’t want to challenge The Decider, because they want to reap the power that Bush has accrued. Do you think Clinton will want to give back the powers? Of course not. They don’t want to raise too much fuss otherwise Republicans might try to hold them accountable come 2009.
A “Hands-off posture”?
Like his hands-off treatment of Dodd’s hold?
What does a country have to do to get a little leadership around here?
Why is it that the Republican’s view of “compromise” is for Democrats to compromise and Republicans get everything they want?
Oh, because we let them!
This 2 party system we have is pathetic. Repukes are vile, dems are creepy, feckless losers who don’t have the balls to do the right thing for the people.
We need a third party or a new constitution. There’s more wrong here than there is right.
I’m leaving this country in a few years. Can’t wait.
…promises from key Republicans to help smooth the way for deals on outstanding appropriations bills…
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa…gasp….HaHaHaHaHaHa…
even better…HaHaHaHaHaHa…snort…HaHaHaHaHaHa…
the Democrats believed it….HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
“Or”, she says, becoming stone cold sober, “They wanted us to believe that they believed it.”
Why do I have a gut feeling that the fix was in and, as usual, we the people are the suckers? Probably for the same reason that Christie is peevish. Because it’s true.
One thing is sure, on reflection. The rethugs either buy or threaten to kill the children of anyone who votes against the king. Sad thing is, I’m not kidding. And killing is far cheaper than buying them off.
Why don’t they just move the capital to New Jersey and bring it out in the open. Hmmm…..come to think about it, some of the mobsters here don’t like the king either. “Da frat boy’s got no class, know what I mean?”
The Democrats just do not seem to get it. I can understand being taken the first or second time by the Republicans. However, they act like there is a big sign on their bottom saying “KICK ME.”
1. People got to see what the Republicans looked like. They did not like the corruption, the right wing evangelicals or the war. Why then would we vote for an obviously far right judge? Are the Dems idiots.
2. The Clinton worked with the Senate to select judges that could be confirmed. They were more towards the center but with a left tilt. No problem since that is the meaning of advise and consent. What fucking idiot would vote for the right wing wackos that Bush sends to the fore? It rewards the right wing tactics.
3. We have to peal away the loonies that have already been appointed by Bush and the Republicans. Why would you want to make it worse when you gain the majority. Indeed, it will be necessary to rectify the right wing tilt with very contentious appointments should the Dems take control of the presidency.
The only way to treat the Republicans is to simply say – new majority. Judge towards the center or simply no approval. Use the hearings to point out why they are out of the mainstream – like being rejected by the ABA for failing to have an acceptable judicial temperment. Make it a principled stand. Even suggest acceptable names. SHOW SOME GOD DAMNED BACKBONE!
To the Dems, in the immortal woids of Bugs Bunny:
“Sucker”
big bob @ 5
Mo better Dems!
-ck- @ 17
Great campaign slogan for a primary, “Sir, since you have no interest in using your seat, may I borrow it?”
kdh22 @ 39
It’s depressing to have so many “important” votes while we have senators on the campaign trail. Sigh.
chisholm @ 50
It’s a lack of real leadership that has goals and wants to get things done and requires a majority to have the power to get those things done. Without goals and leadership they just play pattycake and get nothing right.
ADM @ 125
Don’t forget the “do-nothing Congress”. After all, they haven’t impeached & kicked out the Bush admin., so they actually are guilty of letting him run wild.
Hugh @ 145
Brownie would take offense at that comment!
Badwater @ 162
Bush LET Al Qaeda set the fires!
Pivot and attack.
Ben Nelson voted with the Republicans to send the nomination of Hans Von Spakovsky to the FEC to the full Senate.
Senator Feinstein was in charge and she did nothing to stop it. Although she sent out a letter later saying that she opposed the nomination, she went along with Republican claims that the committee had to vote together for four nominees as a package.
I suspect she did not try to influence Ben Nelson to vote otherwise.
It looks like they are a team in supporting extremely dangerous rightwing operatives that the Republicans have the nerve to put out there. Any comments?
Because they are a bought congress. I can’t by now call it anything else, bought and paid for and doing the biding of the purchasers. Congress doesn’t belong to us, doesn’t represent us, doesn’t care about what we care about, won’t fight for us, doesn’t care when we fight for them and when they break our hearts, like over Aiito – and every damn thing since Alito.
Their actions, their “losses” and “failures” make sense when I remind myself – they don’t represent We the People. These are not losses, these are wins for them in some way. They listen to the people with the money. The women are just as corrupt and undependable as the men, including my two women senators. I used to feel so proud – two women! Now I feel ashamed for them both.