Reply #3: No comment? Geez. This is relevant whether or not the filibuster succeeds.

[Leopolds Ghost]

If you can't distinguish between slimeballs and red-state DINOs who honestly think they are representing their constituents by supporting Alito flat-out, then how are you planning to punish the slimeballs if you can't articulate that "no + yes" voters -- Senators opposed to Alito who nevertheless want to see him confirmed -- are scabs seeking to undermine their own Senate leadership who will be punished in 2006?

There are plenty of polite ways of going about this.

The simplest way is to say -- "if you don't support the filibuster, either abstain or vote to confirm. "Yes on cloture" is "Yes to Alito".

"Anyone planning on casting their vote against Alito is hereby on notice: There are no conscientious options other than "yes - yes" or "no - no" which the Senate leadership will entertain going into the 2006 session.

Anyone actively opposing the filibuster supports the confirmation, and we expect them to go on record accordingly if they want to justify actively opposing the filibuster."