Kerry e-mail asking people to contact Republican Senators re Filibuster

[Pirate Smile]

Dear XXXXXXXXX,

Within a matter of days, the Senate could face a truly momentous decision - one with consequences that will reverberate across America for decades to come.

Senator Frist, the Republican Majority Leader, has a plan to make President Bush's judicial nominations immune to a Senate filibuster. If he can convince enough Republican Senators to go along, the nomination and confirmation of judges will become a tightly-controlled, one-party affair.

We're working hard to make sure the Senate doesn't cross this dangerous line. Here's how you can help.

Please Call Your Republican Senator Now!

Please contact Senator Grassley now. In polite and respectful language, make it clear that as one of his constituents you are counting on him to oppose Senator Frist's dangerous plan to deny millions of Americans any meaningful voice in decisions vital to America's future.

Senator Grassley's office can be reached at:
Cedar Rapids 319-363-6832
Council Bluffs 712-322-7103
Davenport 563-322-4331
Des Moines 515-288-1145
Sioux City 712-233-1860
Waterloo 319-232-6657

To help us track the number of calls our campaign is generating and know where we need to place our efforts, please let us know you've made the calls.

http://www.johnkerry.com/callreport

There is so much on the line in this debate. And, I am convinced that if we mobilize as quickly and effectively as possible, we can prevent the Senate from taking the dangerous course that Republican leaders have called for. Remember, we're fighting for the strength and vibrancy of democracy itself.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. If you need extra incentive for making those calls:

Imagine a world in which every appointment to the federal judiciary is a tightly-controlled, one-party exercise.
Imagine the kinds of judges that will sit on the federal bench - even on the Supreme Court -- if George W. Bush never needs a single Democratic vote.
Imagine the kind of decisions those judges will make that will directly affect your life and your constitutional rights.

edit to add - others will have the contact info for their Senators in their e-mails, please add it to this thread so people who don't get Kerry's e-mails can contact them also.

[cestpaspossible]

1. I like the way the emails are customized for your state.

[Pirate Smile]

8. Here is a good website for details on this issue

http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=17881&print=yes&units=all

It explains what is a filibuster, what is the nuclear option, what to do, sample letter, etc.

Here is the likely scenario it lists for what will happen -

The Nuclear Option - Step by Step

How does the nuclear option work?
One likely scenario in which Senator Frist will trigger the nuclear option is as follows:

1. Senator Frist brings a controversial nomination to the Senate floor.
2. Senate Democrats filibuster the nomination.
3. Senator Frist raises a point of order that debate has continued long enough, that any further debate would be dilatory, and that a vote must be taken within a designated time frame. (This is the “nuclear” part. Under Senate rules, Senator Frist would have to file a cloture motion in order to end debate. A cloture motion requires 60 votes to end the debate and bring the matter to a vote.)
4. Vice President Cheney – serving as the presiding officer of the Senate – sustains the point of order.
5. Senator Reid or another senator appeals the ruling of the chair.
6. A Republican senator makes a motion to table the appeal.
7. The Senate votes on the motion to table the appeal. Such procedural votes cannot be filibustered, so only 51 votes would be needed to table the appeal.
8. Fifty senators vote to table the appeal, Vice President Cheney casts the tie-breaking vote, and the appeal is tabled. This sustains the ruling of the chair – that debate on the nomination must end.

[cestpaspossible]

14. For some really in-depth background

see this article in the Harvard Review of Law and Public Policy

[merbex]

2. I just forwarded my email

this really is the big fight

Wake up America!

[southpaw]

3. I just got mine... Sessions and Shelby will be getting calls.

By the way, do we know which Repub Senators are on-board for the nucular option and which are still undecided? I'd like to know how they are lining up behind this Fristian bullshit!


On Edit:

Alabamians CALL NOW!

Senator Jeff Sessions' office can be reached at:
Birmingham 205-731-1500
Huntsville 256-533-0979
Mobile [phone]
Montgomery 334-244-7017

Senator Richard Shelby's office can be reached at:
Birmingham 205-731-1384
Huntsville 256-772-0460
Mobile [phone]
Montgomery 334-223-7303
Tuscaloosa 205-759-5047

[Pirate Smile]

4. I'll check. Could you copy and paste the phone numbers for your

Senators here so other people in your state could use them to call.

Thanks!

[babylonsister]

10. Texas info here:

Senator Cornyn's office can be reached at:
Austin 512-469-6034
Dallas 972-239-1310
Harlingen 956-423-0162
Houston 713-572-3337
Lubbock 806-472-7533
San Antonio 210-224-7485
Tyler 903-593-0902

Senator Hutchison's office can be reached at:
Abilene 325-676-2839
Austin 512-916-5834
Dallas 214-361-3500
Harlingen 956-425-2253
Houston 713-653-3456
San Antonio 210-340-2885

[Pirate Smile]

13. Thanks.

[MelissaB]

27. Just called Shelby!

[Pirate Smile]

33. Republican Senators who are waivering or against "going nuclear"

"Support falters for the 'nuclear option'

-snip-
Of the 55 Republicans in the chamber, at least six are undecided or adamantly opposed to the plan of using the rare parliamentary procedure to end the filibusters with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60 votes normally required.
"I am very concerned about the overuse of the filibuster," said Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who said she remains undecided. "But I am also concerned that a rule change will further charge the partisan atmosphere to the point that we will not be able to conduct business."

-snip-
In addition to Miss Collins, three other Republicans say they are undecided but have serious reservations. They are Sens. John W. Warner of Virginia, John McCain of Arizona and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

-snip-
Firmly opposed to the measure are Republican Sens. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, who cite concerns about protecting the minority party and avoiding a Democratic promise to halt most Senate business.

-snip-
But other Republican senators have not said whether they are for the option, against it or undecided. Much of that attention centers on Sens. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, John E. Sununu of New Hampshire, and George V. Voinovich of Ohio.

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050323-121608-8533r.htm

UNKNOWN WHERE THEY STAND ON THE ISSUE:

Cochran of Mississippi
Sununu of NH
Voinovich of Ohio

FIRMLY OPPOSED TO THE MEASURE
Chafee of RI
Snowe of Maine

UNDECIDED
Collins of Maine
Warner of VA
Hagel of Nebraska
McCain of Arizona

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

5. Done. Got the email from Kerry for PA.

Called Specter's office and voiced my opposition to Frist's proposal. Sorry, but there is no use calling Santorum's office...I've called there before and they are a snotty bunch who don't listen anyway.

[Pirate Smile]

6. Thanks ModRepubinPA

Would you post the PA phone numbers?

:hi:

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

7. Sure....

Here's a snip from the Kerry email with the numbers and a link for signing once you make the calls:



Please Call Your Republican Senators Now!

Please contact Senators Specter and Santorum now. In polite and respectful language, make it clear that as one of their constituents you are counting on them to oppose Senator Frist's dangerous plan to deny millions of Americans any meaningful voice in decisions vital to America's future.

Senator Specter's office can be reached at:
Allentown/Lehigh Valley 610-434-1444
Erie 814-453-3010
Harrisburg 717-782-3951
Philadelphia 215-597-7200
Pittsburgh 412-644-3400
Scranton 570-346-2006
Wilkes-Barre 570-826-6265

Senator Santorum's office can be reached at:
Allentown 610-770-0142
Altoona 814-946-7023
Erie 814-454-7114
Harrisburg 717-231-7540
Philadelphia 215-864-6900
Pittsburgh 412-562-0533
Scranton 570-344-8799

To help us track the number of calls our campaign is generating and know where we need to place our efforts, please let us know you've made the calls.
www.johnkerry.com/callreport

[rodeodance]

9. I have 2 Dem Senators so i guess will not get one-but thanks for letting

me know about this.

[Mass]

11. You should receive it, but on a different form

I got it this morning, it asks to call Republican Senators, but does not give a specific name or phone numbers.

Dear Supporter,

Will clear-thinking Republican Senators pull their party's leaders back from the brink? Or will they let slash-and-burn political tactics change the character of American democracy forever?

Within a matter of days, the Senate could face a truly momentous decision - one with consequences that will reverberate across America for decades to come.

That's why, when Republican Senators return to Washington next Tuesday, the johnkerry.com community is planning to greet them with a powerful message in that morning's edition of USA Today.

See the ad for yourself and tell us we can count you among those members of the johnkerry.com community who personally support its message:

http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday

Imagine a world in which every appointment to the federal judiciary is tightly controlled by an extreme element within one party. Imagine the kinds of judges that will sit on the federal bench - even on the Supreme Court -- if George W. Bush never needs a single Democratic vote.

Imagine the kind of decisions those judges will make on everything from civil rights to civil liberties to a woman's right to choose and family privacy.

Republican leaders in the Senate have done more than imagine. They're getting ready to force a Senate vote that would take a giant step towards creating that kind of America.

Senator Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, has a plan to make President Bush's judicial nominations immune to a Senate filibuster. If he can convince enough Republican Senators to go along, the nomination and confirmation of judges will become a tightly-controlled, one-party affair.

We're calling on Republican Senators to pull their party's leaders back from the brink. It's time to stop advancing a dangerous tactic that would deny millions of Americans any meaningful role in decisions vital to America's future.

http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday

We're working hard to make sure the United States Senate doesn't cross this dangerous line. Here's how you can help.

When we run our ad on Tuesday, I want to report that hundreds of thousands of johnkerry.com activists from across the nation have expressed their personal support for its message. The larger that number, the more powerful our message will be.

Please let us know right now that we can count you among those who support our call for Republican Senators to stand on principle. And, if at all possible, make a donation to help pay for our USA Today ad and our efforts to mobilize people to contact their Republican Senators.

http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday

Events could move quickly in the days ahead. Please watch your email closely for urgent action alerts. Thanks for helping with this important effort.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. We need as many people as possible to add their personal support to our USA Today message. Please forward this e-mail right now to your friends, neighbors, and family.

[TayTay]

37. Well, I signed the letter to just lend some moral support

I think this is a good idea. (My Sens. are ahm, Kennedy & Kerry and I'm, ahm, not calling them. It's would end up in a recursive loop and those are hell to get out of. LOL!)

I did enter an e-mail for my brother in NH. I believe he will call his Rethug Sens. (And nothing but joy can come from sending NH Sens a call and telling them that Kerry suggested they call. LOL again!)

[kerrygoddess]

12. Email is getting out slowly...

It appears the email is getting out slowly... which can be the case with large list's like Kerry's.

There is info on JohnKerry.com - http://www.johnkerry.com

It's also posted on http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=657">LUTD

[Roland99]

15. My Senators are Bunning and McConnell

We could have every person in KY call and criticize this maneuver and it wouldn't do a damn bit of good. Those guys are closer to the Propagandist than his BVDs.

[cestpaspossible]

16. Call anyway

just to annoy them, if nothing else...

[Roland99]

19. Did....emailed, too.

Here's the info for KY:


Senator Bunning's office can be reached at:
Hopkinsville 270-885-1212
Owensboro 270-689-9085
Louisville 502-582-5341
Ft. Wright 800-283-8983
Hazard 606-435-2390
Lexington 859-219-2239

Senator McConnell's office can be reached at:
Paducah 270-442-4554
Bowling Green 270-781-1673
Louisville 502-582-6304
Fort Wright 859-578-0188
London 606-864-2026
Lexington 859-224-8286

[dhinojosa]

17. Here is New Mexico....and I am calling now.....

Dear Supporter,

Within a matter of days, the Senate could face a truly momentous decision - one with consequences that will reverberate across America for decades to come.

Senator Frist, the Republican Majority Leader, has a plan to make President Bush's judicial nominations immune to a Senate filibuster. If he can convince enough Republican Senators to go along, the nomination and confirmation of judges will become a tightly-controlled, one-party affair.

We're working hard to make sure the Senate doesn't cross this dangerous line. Here's how you can help.

Please Call Your Republican Senator Now!

Please contact Senator Domenici now. In polite and respectful language, make it clear that as one of his constituents you are counting on him to oppose Senator Frist's dangerous plan to deny millions of Americans any meaningful voice in decisions vital to America's future.

Senator Domenici's office can be reached at:
Albuquerque 505-346-6791
Las Cruces 505-526-5475
Roswell 505-623-6170
Sante Fe 505-988-6511

To help us track the number of calls our campaign is generating and know where we need to place our efforts, please let us know you've made the calls.

http://www.johnkerry.com/callreport

There is so much on the line in this debate. And, I am convinced that if we mobilize as quickly and effectively as possible, we can prevent the Senate from taking the dangerous course that Republican leaders have called for. Remember, we're fighting for the strength and vibrancy of democracy itself.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. If you need extra incentive for making those calls:

* Imagine a world in which every appointment to the federal judiciary is a tightly-controlled, one-party exercise.
* Imagine the kinds of judges that will sit on the federal bench - even on the Supreme Court -- if George W. Bush never needs a single Democratic vote.
* Imagine the kind of decisions those judges will make that will directly affect your life and your constitutional rights.

[GardeningGal]

18. I got one too......put it in the Colorado forum

If anyone needs Allard's phone numbers, they're posted there.

[Helga Scow Stern]

20. Any heads up on which Republican Senators

it would be most conducive to call?

I live in California, so am not a constituent of any....

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

21. Specter in PA is a worthwhile call....

Of course, the other Senator from PA is a lost cause.:banghead:

[LittleClarkie]

22. Ditto me in Wisconsin

Hard to email if you're not a constituent, but a call is indeed good if you can afford the long distance.

Also, the other email about the petition for the USA Today ad should be fun. I can't wait to see the number in the ad. I always wonder at the effectiveness of these things. I think his greatest response so far has been ANWR.

[Luminous Animal]

23. RE: Contacting senators

Yesterday on DU, I saw a list of republican senators that could likely be swayed. Does anyone have a link to that post?

[cestpaspossible]

24. PS, make sure you talk to a staffer

if you call your local office and get an answering machine, you can call the Congressional switchboard at 1-877-SOB-U-SOB, and ask foryour Senators office.

[dhinojosa]

25. I started this thread so we can create "templates" as to what to say.

We need variety and facts so that is why I started a separate thread. :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1699835

[Pirate Smile]

30. Good idea!

[GaYellowDawg]

26. I called both senators in Georgia...

I simply said, "I'm a Georgia resident and I would like to request that Senator Chambliss/Isakson vote AGAINST the filibuster rule changes proposed by Bill Frist."

Not that I think it'll do any good, especially with Chambliss - anyone who would put up that horrible Osama ad will do anything for power and would be delighted at the chance to increase it.

[bear425]

28. I've been trying to call Mel Martinez' number all day

And it's been BUSY BUSY BUSY! I'll keep tryin'. :)

BTW:

Senator Martinez's office can be reached at:
Orlando 407-254-2573

[bear425]

29. Ok, it's past office hours and I can't leave a message because

the mailbox is full! Let's keep it up!

[DesEtoiles]

32. send a fax too or instead!

[BlueIris]

31. DONE.

I actually think there might be hope for my senator (Smith, R, OR--has shown some evidence he wants to keep his stance as a "moderate").

[rzemanfl]

34. Can't do it. Can't say Mel Martinez without saying "mother****er"

too many M sounds. Besides, it's a waste of time.

[Hippo_Tron]

35. It will only work on a few senators

Plus, these guys probably know that we are all liberals and will be voting for whatever Democrat challenges them next time anyway.

Still, if it works on just one out of 55 GOP Senators, that's all we really need, I think.

[rzemanfl]

36. Trying to reason with Martinez would be like trying to teach

Robert and Mary Schindler acceptance.

[Timebound]

38. North Carolina Info:

Senator Burr's office can be reached at:
Winston-Salem 336-631-5125

Senator Dole's office can be reached at:
Eastern (Greenville) 252-329-1093
Raleigh 919-856-4630
Salisbury 704-633-5011
Western (Hendersonville) 828-698-3747

[progressoid]

39. Time's running out folks - Call your Senator today!!

[ebdarcy]

40. Ohio

Senator DeWine's office can be reached at:
Cincinnati 513-763-8260
Cleveland 216-522-7272
Columbus 614-469-5186
Marietta 740-373-2317
Toledo 419-259-7536
Xenia 937-376-3080

Senator Voinovich's office can be reached at:
Cincinnati 513-684-3265
Cleveland 216-522-7095
Columbus 614-469-6697
Northeast 216-522-7095
Southeast 740-441-6410
Toledo 419-259-3895