Next Nominee May Well Spark a Climactic Battle

[Pirate Smile]

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 - When Harriet E. Miers withdrew her nomination to the Supreme Court, she may have taken with it the last chance to avoid a climactic confrontation over who will succeed Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is retiring.

As he picks another nominee - Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit emerged as a leading candidate on Friday - President Bush faces redoubled pressures from both the left and the right. His conservative supporters are more determined than ever to demand someone with a clear conservative record on abortion rights and other social issues; Senate Democrats are emboldened by the unraveling of the Miers nomination, the downturn in the president's popularity and the indictment Friday of I. Lewis Libby Jr., a top White House official.

The handling of the next nominee is likely to be "tougher than hell," Senator Arlen Specter, the Pennsylvania Republican who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview Friday.

Both sides have spent years preparing for the pivotal battle over who will succeed Justice O'Connor, the critical swing vote on abortion rights and other social issues. The pressures from both sides present a political challenge for President Bush - and it could generate a battle that could bog down the Senate for months if Democrats decide to block a vote on the new nominee.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/29/politics/politicsspecial1/29confirm.html

[Pirate Smile]

1. more

"But after the backlash from distrustful conservatives, Mr. Land said, "I will be shocked if the president doesn't nominate a strong, known conservative, and that will provoke a knock-down, drag-out, bare-knuckled brawl."

Paul Weyrich, chairman of the Free Congress Foundation and a founder of the modern conservative movement, said: "We are up for a fight. We are ready for a fight. And if we get a good nominee, all will be forgiven as far as Harriet Miers."

But if Mr. Bush names another nominee without a clear record, "I will tell you that his coalition is at an end," Mr. Weyrich said. "

[waiting for hope]

2. The future......

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke: and so on and on and on.....

[kurth]

3. "Scalito"??

FILIBUSTER!

[Dagaz]

4. Filibuster is what the right wants

They want to change the rule and Miers wouldn't give them that fight. Bush looks like he wants to keep the gang of 14 happy though. I predict an uber rightee but not Brown or Owen. Someone who has already passed without a ton of controversy. McConnell maybe? Tribe likes him but he's Conservative.

[bigluckyfeet]

6. It's Been Said Before

What's the use of having a filibuster if you cannot use it.It seems the Democrats in congress can no longer even spell the word.They will roll over like Rover.

[Tiggeroshii]

9. Yes.

They want to change the rule and Miers wouldn't give them that fight. Bush looks like he wants to keep the gang of 14 happy though.

...Which is stupid because in just a year from now they'll be the minority party and the Republicans won't be able to do anything!

[Pirate Smile]

5. That is exactly where we are headed and both sides know it.

A reporter on MSNBC or CNN said that a Democratic Senator told him that they want a battle. They want to show that they DO stand for something and are willing to fight.

They want to show they are willing to fight before the 2006 elections.

[Lochloosa]

8. "Let's Roll"

Fuck them all....

[bluestateguy]

7. Good, lets do it then. Bring it on.

The fundies on the Right want a battle, we want a battle, so let's put on our uniforms and CHARGE!!!! :nuke: