More on Kerry Backing Filibuster (Democratic Daily)

[kpete]

More on Kerry Backing Filibuster
January 26th, 2006

As Ron just reported a short time ago, William Pitt has reported at Democratic Underground that John Kerry “is supporting a filibuster.”

I have confirmed through my sources tell me that both John Kerry and Ted Kennedy spoke up yesterday about the importance of stopping Alito. I suspected something was going down yesterday when Kerry’s floor speech got pushed back by an hour or so. There was deep frustration on the floor yesterday amongst Dems, that was clear to anyone watching the proceedings.

Word has it that the two Senators from Massachusetts, shocked those Senators who had declared that the Alito nomination was a done deal, by arguing the merits of a filibuster. They both know they face steep odds on this fight, but Kerry and Kennedy are known to work very closely together… and are not afraid to stand up.

This fight is one I feel, that we will see the sort of passion that a lot of us remember from 1971. It is clearly not over. My sources tell me that Kerry has been unequivocal and has passionately talked to colleagues — trying to get the ball rolling.

I urge everyone to stand up with Senators Kerry and Kennedy on this fight! Let them know we have their backs. Our focus is to lobby our Senators — last night I reported on the NY Times editorial calling for a filibuster… I said then “I personally can not sit back and watch this happening with out making a stand.”


http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1759

[Beetwasher]

1. THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER

Draw the line honorable Senators. Draw the line. Dare them to nuke it and if they do, shut it down.

[tatertop]

4. The nail biting is in play

I hope they do the right thing.
The time to fillibuster is now.

[lonestarnot]

11. I'm getting agida.

[Marnieworld]

8. I would like to vote for you Senator Beetwasher!

I like how you think! :patriot:

[tatertop]

12. I'll second that vote

[seabeyond]

2. hooo yah. alright. good to hear. my man. did you see not afraid

to stand up......

[Neecy]

3. I'm watching Teddy now...

This guy could have retired years ago and lived a life of ease, leisure and comfort but he's still out there fighting for us. I have enormous respect for him, and for Kerry for at least frikkin' TRYING to stop this train wreck.

[oldtime dfl_er]

7. amen.

http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/658059

[blm]

5. He's gonna get slaughtered in the media and by other Dems for trying it.

I can hear it now. They will be PISSED at him for years to come.

[seabeyond]

9. hence, my questions to those on the board beating up our dems

prior to kerry speaking out and supporting the filibuster. are these same people that demand or will walk, who call our guys spineless regardless...... are they going to now stand up for kerry, or will htey just continue their blind attack on kerry as kerry becomes media whipping boy again. not having people stand up for him, the way he has shown us by standing up for every person swiftboated......

it will be interesting ot watch, how soon our people forget

[no_more_rhyming]

6. Supporting a fillabuster

NOT leading a fillabuster.

[Jersey Devil]

10. Let them stand and be counted on a filibuster

If Kerry and Kennedy do this I will be very thankful for their leadership. Maybe we won't have enough votes to sustain a filibuster but we deserve to know who has a spine and who does not.

[Pirate Smile]

13. I agree. At least try. From the Political Wire:

"Kerry to Lead Filibuster?
According to Bob Fertik, Sen. John Kerry's office confirmed he'll lead a filibuster against the Samuel Alito Supreme Court nomination upholding his promise during the 2004 presidential campaign.

However, the effort may be short-lived. The Washington Post reports several Democrats are breaking ranks and now backing Alito, including Sens. Johnson (SD), Byrd (WV) and Nelson (NE). In addition, Landrieu (LA), Feinstein (CA) and Salazar (CO) have said they do not support a filibuster. With 55 Republican votes and these six Democrats, the GOP will have the votes for cloture. "

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/01/26/kerry_to_lead_filibuster.html

[babsbunny]

14. Why are we begging these America haters to save America?

They don't care, and they will never be re-elected!

[debbierlus]

15. CLARIFICATION ON THIS!!

I called Senator Kerry's office.

I am from Massachusetts & I wanted to thank him.

But, I don't think he supporting a filibuster means more then he is petitioning his colleagues because his staff told me it was not up to Senator Kerry but that he does support a filibuster and is working with his colleagues to start one.

That is good. But, it is not a big public declaration of a fight. All it means is that he is one of the people (I am sure Kennedy is one, too) who are petitioning their colleagues to filibuster.

It is good, but it is no salvation.

I asked if he would hold a press conference, and they said no.

[jillan]

16. My understanding is that there can't be a filibuster until Frist

asks for a vote on cloture.
Then the dems need to have enough votes to vote no on cloture.
It's not going to be like what we saw in Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. Which would be more fun, but not what they do anymore.

[RazzleDazzle]

17. You've got it just backwards

The fillibuster comes first and is separate from a cloture vote. Fillibuster is a ploy by a Senator to speak and speak and speak and speak and speak on the floor of the Senate -- 24 hours, even, or more -- until the matter at hand is basically dead.

Cloture is the vote to end it, and 60 votes are required. If the Dems don't have 41 votes, they can't keep the fillibuster going because the cloture vote will go against them and end the fillibuster.

IOW, there's nothing to vote cloture on until a fillibuster has been declared or is in progress.

Nowadays they don't usually go through the endless speechifying much if at all, but just go thru the formalities of the declaration and votes.