Frist-Reid talks touch on 'nuclear option,' other issues

[papau]

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/021705/nuclear.html

Frist-Reid talks touch on 'nuclear option,' other issues
By Geoff Earle

<snip>Some sources speculate that the conversations could signal a softening of the GOP’s hard-line position on the judicial standoff — even as senators of both parties have vowed they won’t back down.

“They’re talking,” one Senate GOP leadership aide said, describing the state of play between Frist and Reid, adding that Frist “is not running around talking nuclear now.”<snip>

But a Democratic leadership aide said Reid has warned Frist in plain terms that if Republicans employ the nuclear option it would have serious consequences for the Senate and that Democrats would vigorously argue that such a move violated the Constitution, free speech and historical Senate procedure.<snip>

One Democratic senator, who said he had no knowledge of any talks on the judicial standoff, said, referring to Republicans, “Either they do it, which just completely blows the place up, or they don’t and we don’t have any problem.” He added, “You couldn’t negotiate a solution” to the problem.<snip>

[Postmanx]

1. I have very mixed feelings on this

First, I have never agreed with the use of the filibuster to prevent an up or down vote. Regardless of who is doing the filibustering, preventing a vote strikes me as terrible and un-democratic.

That said, I do worry about one party, EITHER PARTY, having no road blocks to enact their agenda.

I would feel exactly the same regardless of which party might hold power at the moment.

[NWHarkness]

2. "Majority rules" is only on ehalf of the democratic equation

Protecting the rights of the minority is the other. So I see nothing undemocratic about the filibuster.

[LinuxInsurgent]

3. i agree...

Let's leave the theoretical reluctances regarding the "democratic" character of filibustering to another time...when the Nazis were overturning the German Republic, it was not time for progressives to be worried about the propriety or democratic character of their actions...it was time to fight, dirty if need be, to save the Republic itself.

Right now...it's time to get dirty...when it all passes, we can return to upholding "democratic" values.

I know some progressives will complain about "being no better than our opponents" if we renounce the "moral high ground" by adopting filibusters...but I'd rather TEMPORARILY lose the moral ground, then lose the Republic, and ultimately, my freedom to these right-wing nazi bastards.

Rant over.

[papau]

6. I agree :-)

:-)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. Especially when the nominee shows BLATENT disrespect for...

the U.S Constitution.

[Brooklyn Michael]

9. Agreed

If a filibuster is used, it is up to the minority party to make it's case clear to the public WHY they are resorting to it. In the case of Bush's judicial nominees, the Dems are absolutely right to block such partisan enablers as Bush has nominated.

Now, if the Dems went and got trigger-happy, and just filibustered everything in sight, they'd suffer in the public eye (right or wrong) and the GOP would crow non-stop about how "obstructionist" they're being....even moreso than they do already....only this time they'd have a point, especially if the Dems didn't have an alternative for every issue they filibustered.

It's not enough to just say "no, no, no, no, no!" - you have to have a reason. Fortunately, Bush makes saying "No!" so damned easy....

[ugarte]

4. If it means protecting a woman's right to choose, the tactic is justified

Your point is well-taken philosophically, but the pragmatic results of doing nothing are much worse.

[Postmanx]

5. This is a horrible idea

"Right now...it's time to get dirty...when it all passes, we can return to upholding "democratic" values."

The first rule in fighting monsters is not to become one yourself.

Or, if you prefer, once you start down the path to the dark side, forever it you must follow.

[lovuian]

7. In other words if Bush goes Nuclear the Republicans are going

with him!!!

This is Horrible!!! Its WWIII and getting ready!!!