I feel shame as a moderate Democrat re:filibuster

[RB TexLa]

I am a moderate, hell I have even given money to the DLC (gasp on DU). I am thankful to John Kerry for wanting to lead the filibuster, I think this fight is big enough and important enough that even if we are going to lose we need to fire every shot, and fight to the very last second. The separation of powers and the privacy rights under Roe v. Henry Wade are too important for this fight to not be waged in an all out manner, and Alito has given too much indication that he respects neither.

The shame I feel it because other moderate Democrats that happen to be elected to the US Senate are not standing up to lead the fight. I as many of them would be willing to allow capable and qualified conservative jurists to the bench, we don't have the white house or control of the Senate and we know judges from this White House are going to be to the right, but we do not have to accept those to the extreme right and at some point we have to stand up. A filibuster lead by moderate Dems and perhaps a moderate Republican would send the clearest of messages to Bush and the far right. I will not change my political positions as they are not determined by revenge or the actions of those I agree with or disagree with but by what I believe in. However today as a moderate Democrat I do feel ashamed of my centrist brethren.

And by filibuster I mean all the way, I would not even yield the floor for a cloture vote, I would let them know that they have a sargent at arms and if they wanted me to shut up and leave the floor they better call him up.

[matcom]

1. shame as a "moderate"?

:eyes:

there ARE NO MORE "moderates" in EITHER party. "moderate" = ignorant now

[Angry Girl]

2. It's not your fault. You're a victim just as much as we are

Half of America lacks representation because of these greedy, cowardly bastards.

[LeftNYC]

3. DONT FEEL SHAME, ACT!!

Call Landrieau, Salazar, Johnson, and Byrd. Tell them how you feel. Tell them you are a moderate. We can convince you the DLC is bad later. Right now, we need you. CALL THEM !

[RB TexLa]

5. I've made calls

And e-mails with a couple of staffers I know.

[LeftNYC]

7. ok...well dont feel shame...feel embarrased if your leadership doesnt come

through for you, but know that you are doing whatever needs to be done.

[Indykatie]

4. Great Post

I too view myself as a centrist. I swallowed the Roberts nomination but am strongly opposed to Alito.

[democrank]

6. RGB....

Although I`m an old fashioned liberal, there`s no shame in being a moderate Democrat. Glad to see the position you`ve taken on the filibuster. Hang in there.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. They wouldn't blink an eye at calling in the Capitol police. They did it

in the house. The repuke Senators have gotten just as bad as the Reps in the house. They would call in the police and remove anyone who isn't following procedures. Then, the media would SKEWER whoever was hauled out.
However, I like the "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" approach. It's much more exciting.:)

[RB TexLa]

14. And if I were fillibustering it I'd make them call

them in to forceablly remove me.

[Just Me]

9. I agree with you. This may very well be THE most important fight,...

,...in our lifetimes.

We simply cannot risk our form of government to a man who may rule in favor of a "unitary executive" e.g. dictatorship.

This is serious, serious caa caa!

[radio4progressives]

10. the problem with the moderate position, isn't pretty

please take this in the spirit it is intended.

some say, that a moderate is one who tries to find the center and just squats there. that' old saying goes back to the days of FDR. maybe even long before then.

But too often the meaning is vague and inconsequential.

Meaningless when it comes to matters of lesser principles at best, but more often harmful to other principles in question.

The problem with "moderate" is that such an identity has been given a sort of "honorable" consideration in the politics.

It's perfectly commendable when it comes to how one lives their life, and conducts their affairs and so on. But where it comes to matters of principle, that's quite another issue and that's where the rule of "moderation" falls apart, because in Washington, when is it not about matters of principle?

[RB TexLa]

13. mine isn't to be "moderate" it's based on my principles

and what I believe in and support puts me somewhere around the center of the Democratic party. The tag "moderate" is only the political nomenclature that the media and others use to describe the political position my beliefs place me.

[Neecy]

11. No, don't feel shame

This is one issue that defies (or should) party labels. I'd be very surprised if many moderate Republicans (and yes, there still are a few of them around) aren't feeling stunned that this man might sit on the court as well.

This is a basic American issue, not a 'moderate' or 'liberal' one. Alito threatens the rights of all of us.

[LeftNYC]

12. Good point...

the media and the Republicans are trying to make this a partisan issue. I am sure if you explained to most people what Alito is about, they would support a filibuster and a "No" vote.