CNN LBN: Sen. John Kerry calls for a filibuster of Samuel Alito's Supreme

[sabra]

* hat tip to chat_noir for screen grab

more here:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/26/alito/index.html

Sen. Kerry calls for filibuster of Alito
Unclear if Massachusetts Democrat has votes needed to block nominee

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. John Kerry has decided to support a filibuster to block the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, CNN's Congressional Correspondent Ed Henry reported Thursday.

Kerry, in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum, was marshaling support in phone calls during the day, Henry said.

He announced his decision Wednesday to a group of Democratic senators, urging they join him, Henry said. Kerry also has the support of his fellow Massachusetts senator, Democrat Edward Kennedy.

Some senior Democrats said they are worried that the move could backfire.

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Are you for real?

??????

[democrattruth]

3. woohooo

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. Go Kerry!

Better to try and fail, then to never try at all!

Let's go!!!


BTW: Welcome to DU :hi:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Will his own party stab him in the back? Stay tuned: n/t

[still_one]

49. now we will see who are the true patriots, and who aren't

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

81. I really hope these mutha#$%^s draw the line with this abomination.n/t

[still_one]

108. so do I

[electropop]

100. Will he come home from the skiing trip to really get a grip on the

short hairs of our idiotic "leadership?" We need him right here, right now, leading the effort in person. This is probably the last chance to save America from a permanent Fascist dictatorship. That has to take prioority!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

109. To be honest my expectations are lower than crocodile piss right now.

So I don't expect much. We'll see.

[wordpix2]

152. good point---if you are truly interested in getting the votes, Kerry, then

GET BACK TO WASHINGTON AND GET TO WORK!

Your month long Xmas break is over (or should be!)

[cyberpj]

164. Kerry, in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum

Not saying it couldn't be stretched, just that he MAY be legitimately busy.

[Beetwasher]

4. NO FURTHER!!!!!

This far and no further! Thank you Senator Kerry for drawing the line. Now we see who stands up and fights the good fight. Thank you.

[katty]

73. STOP the INSANITY!

[jseankil]

5. Wow, Giddy up!

It's go time?

[henslee]

6. So hot that there is no link.....

[stepnw1f]

36. Link is There (nt)

[OKNancy]

59. here you go

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/26/alito/index.html

[superconnected]

8. Yippee! Thanks John.

That makes me glad I voted for you.

[iowa_democrat]

9. Thanks John, But No Thanks

I backed you in 2004 because I thought you'd fight. It is a little late to start showing spine now. Although I do appreciate it in this case. If you had fought just a little for the election, we would be pushing for Lawrence Tribe to sit in Sandra Day O'Connor's seat, not Strip Search Sammy.

[jseankil]

14. Well no use in slamming him now. /nm

Unite

[Le Taz Hot]

17. Let's give him a chance

I am one of the bigget Kerry detractors on this board but IF this is true and IF it is being done in all sincerity, I think now is the time to put our full support behind him. I'm the LAST person to try to call for "party unity" (code words for "shut up and vote Democrat") but we need to do everying we can to support him.

[Maat]

30. This recent law school graduate is thinking ..

wouldn't it have been nice if a true constitutional scholar like Tribe had been nominated and confirmed? If there is anyone who should be on the court, it's Tribe.

[stepnw1f]

39. Is There a Bridge around Here? (nt)

[Bridget Burke]

54. What have YOU done for the party lately?

Please tell...

[slide to the left]

133. What I have done

I signed up to help in Rodnofsky's (who is opposing KB Hutch)for senator in TX.

I write my Senators at least once every 2 weeks over tons of issues.

I am getting my teaching licence so I can teach government to students in my tightie rightie area.

Thats what I have done for my party...

BTW, if dems won't stand up, lets revive the Whig party.

[Caution]

70. guy does the right thing and he gets shit on

sheesh why does everyone think a guy has to be perfect to be worthy of one's support. Learning from mistakes, showing leadership in a difficult situation. And still he gets shit.

[wordpix2]

153. I agree, stop shitting on Kerry and give him a hand. Hound your senators!

[Noisy Democrat]

92. Could you please explain

in simple terms that I can understand *exactly* how your "Don't fight now, throw in the towel, because I'd rather sit in a corner and whine about 2004 than fight" attitude helps *anything*? Seriously -- in what way does moping about 2004 instead of fighting accomplish a single, blessed thing?

[cally]

112. Lay off. Kerry is leading the charge when all the others

were too spineless to do so. Go Kerry!

[worldgonekrazy]

121. This move took guts

He WILL get roasted in the media if he does not get the Dem backing for this move. VERY BOLD.

[wordpix2]

154. that's right, it takes someone experienced to lead a charge like this

John is an old Senate hand---maybe he can talk some ol' buddies in the moderate Repub group to come along for a filibuster---unless they want to have less influence under King George II who plans to castrate Congress if he gets Scalito on the bench.

[brentspeak]

132. Negative post. Accomplishing nothing.

[OnyxCollie]

134. It is better

to light a single candle than curse the darkness. At least Kerry's stepping up. Hopefully, others will join in.

[PBass]

145. No, it's never too late to start "showing spine"

That's his freaking job, and I thank him for doing it! It takes courage to get out front and 'walk point'.

THANK YOU SENATOR KERRY!!!

[Singular73]

10. Well

Looks like he is trying to please his base.

You know, the folks who vote in the primaries.

[Dr Fate]

116. So what? I LIKE when they try to please the base....

...as opposed to ignoring us.

GO JFK!!!

[caligirl]

11. I saw this too. It was on cnn moments ago. Kerry calls for support

of a filibuster.

[lies and propaganda]

12. its about time!

and i see today he also said he is not ruling out another election try.

[low_phreaq]

13. Political Cortex confirms this

Confirmed this info. Kerry's office says he is initiating a filibuster
http://www.politicalcortex.com/story/2006/1/26/144159/751

[Nickster]

15. Well, ain't that something?! Now let's sit back and see if it happens.

[Noisy Democrat]

94. No, call your senators and *make* it happen

Kerry can't do this alone. He's counting on people to put pressure on their senators and convince them to filibuster. Get to the phones.

[Cocoa]

167. sit back?

why sit back?

[Nickster]

182. Poor choice of words. I meant I'd be watching the events unfold.

[SteppingRazor]

16. Do we have enough votes?

Three Dems (at least) are planning on voting "yes" on Alito. That means if just two more vote yes for cloture, we're screwed. Do we have the votes? I'm pretty doubtful, but here's hoping!

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. The Breaking Banner is up on CNN

BREAKING NEWS

Sen. John Kerry calls for a filibuster of Samuel Alito's Supreme Court nomination.

http://www.cnn.com/

Oh what a pretty sight!

[Le Taz Hot]

19. I'm behind

who are the three? Nelson, Landreau (sp?) and who?

[SteppingRazor]

22. Ben Nelson, Robert Byrd, and Tim Johnson...

If Landrieu is also a yes on Alito, that makes four and pushes us down to just 40 no votes, of which all 40 would also have to be willing to vote no on cloture. Pretty dicey.

[SharonRB]

65. I'm not so sure about Landrieu

I think she's voting No.

[leftchick]

69. Can someone explain Byrd's reasoning on this?

I mean wtf is he doing? Was he and his wife threatened of something. He knows the freakin constitution like the back of his hand. How can he vote for it to be torn asunder??

[SteppingRazor]

77. Simple, really...

It's Byrd's view of "advise and consent." When it comes to judges, Byrd has always taken the view that the president appoints a judge and, if he is qualified, the Senate consents. Say what you want about Alito, he certainly has the experience to be a Supreme Court judge. To Byrd, that's all that matters here. So, actually it's his deep love of the Constitution that is making him vote this way. Kinda ironic, in a dark, agonizing sort of way.

[electropop]

105. Alito's contempt for the Constitution disqualifies him.

In no sense can he be considered "qualified."

[leftchick]

107. yes really dark

and horrifying. :cry:

[americanstranger]

119. It may not be quite that abstract.

Kos has a post up that some billionaire announced that he was going to run against Byrd this year - and they're saying this guy is the first well-funded candidate that's ever run against Byrd.

A multimillionaire businessman entered the GOP race to challenge Sen. Robert C. Byrd on Wednesday, hoping to deny the 88-year-old incumbent Democrat a record ninth term.

John Raese, 55, said he would campaign on a platform touting free enterprise and reduced regulation, among other issues. "What I'm going to run on is a rebirth of capitalism," he said.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee heralded the filing by Raese, a former state GOP chairman who has sought office before.

Though four other Republicans are running in the party primary, the GOP committee called Raese "the first financially credible opponent Byrd has faced since 1982."

Raese's last major foray into election politics came nearly 18 years ago. With narrow losses each time, he ran against Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., in 1984 and challenged then Gov.-Arch Moore in the 1988 GOP primary.

http://tinyurl.com/bmyh8

-as

[wordpix2]

149. LOL, Byrd's opponent wants LESS regulation---in W. Virginia!!!!

That's a real good way to garner lots of votes, you bozo repuke!!!!!:rofl:

snip:
John Raese, 55, said he would campaign on a platform touting free enterprise and reduced regulation, among other issues. "What I'm going to run on is a rebirth of capitalism," he said.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee heralded the filing by Raese, a former state GOP chairman who has sought office before.

[Straight Shooter]

135. "Say what you want, he has the experience to be a Supreme Court judge."

He also has the experience to run roughshod over citizens who seek justice. He's done it before and he'll do it again. For that reason, he is so eminently unqualified to judge us that it's frightening.

[wordpix2]

148. yes, but I heard the history: In past times, Congress proposed a nominee

to the pres, not other way around. But Byrd isn't old enough to have lived through those times.

[deadparrot]

102. But will all those voting "yes" on Alito...

necessarily vote for cloture or the nuke option?

[stlsaxman]

179. The votes aren't taken until Monday (or Tuesday?)...

these are just declarations and these Senators might still be swayed...


Call them TODAY and share your concerns re Alito- yes- you may not be a constituent but you ARE a citizen and their vote on this directly affects ALL of our lives.

Be polite, be brief and be heard!

[Wheezy]

27. Nelson, Johnson and *sniff* Byrd n/t

[budkin]

26. I don't see how we have the votes with 3 dems crossing over

But at least Kerry is doing something about it. HE OWES US BIG!

[Wheezy]

29. Republicans Snowe, Collins and Chafee

haven't declared a vote yet...

Neither has Ted Stevens. They are the only 4 Repubs who have not. Hmmm..

[SteppingRazor]

35. I sincerely doubt we'd get any of them to vote for a filibuster...

vote no on Alito, maybe. But certainly not yes to a filibuster

[Beetwasher]

43. They Don't HAVE to Vote FOR A Fillibuster!

They only have to either vote NO on cloture OR abstain. The Repubs need 60 yes votes for cloture.

[SteppingRazor]

48. I'm aware of the procedural rules...

I was simplifying. If you want to look at it that way, then let me say that I doubt we would get them to vote No on cloture. Worded better?

[Beetwasher]

51. No Actually

The burden is on the Repubs to scrape up 60 YES votes. Someone can conceivably vote YES on Alito, but ABSTAIN from the cloture vote, or even vote "no" on cloture. Theoretically a fillibuster can happen w/out a single vote of "no" for cloture as long as there are not 60 YES votes. It's the "yes" votes that matter, the "no's" are irrelevant. The burden is on those who are trying to get the 60 "yes" votes. It's a significant difference.

[henslee]

64. Excellent explanation,BW.

[SteppingRazor]

68. That's true, it is a significant difference.

One that I didn't articulate very well. Thank you. If Senate Dems in favor of filibuster can hammer this point home over the next day, thus making it noxious for even yes-on-Alito dems to side with the Republicans, we may be able to pull this out. It'll be a very close thing, but even if all the "yes" Dems side with the GOP, they still need two more. They may get them from "Gang of 14" Dems like Lieberman, but maybe not.

Here's hoping!

(Excellent explanation by the way :thumbsup: )

[Beetwasher]

96. Thanks!

There is hope! I think it IS possible that Byrd for instance might abstain from the cloture vote. It's a way for them to have some political cover.

[karynnj]

97. interesting point - could that make it easier for moderate

Republicans. They could simply not vote yes, rather than having to vote no.

[PATRICK]

41. Cloture is not as hard to resist as

a vote for the nomination. Even Byrd might do a turnaround to face down the nuclear option. Then the ones with misgivings and tough elections might get it both ways if the filibuster somehow gives them room.

This brings up the simple question about how many times Kerry and Byrd have been on opposite sides of a controversy.

[pushycat]

58. Is Angry Ted Stevens holding out for a deal on ANWR?

[Le Taz Hot]

63. Ted Stevens

Hmmmm . . . I wonder if ole Ted is still ticked off at his fellow Republicans for delivering the "worst day of his life?" Paybacks??? Not likely but it would be interesting.

[wordpix2]

150. Kerry, please get the job done - we need to FILIBUSTER

[darthmix]

20. woo-hoo!

headline should read: DEMOCRATS DISCOVER THEIR TESTICLES

[IndyOp]

44. Gonads: Dems Discover Their Gonads --

Balls and testicles represent power in short spurts --

Ovaries represent staying power!

:kick:

[Marnieworld]

66. Spine is gender neutral

They have spine.

[MrBenchley]

21. Good fo rhim....

Let's see what happens.

[maddezmom]

23. thank you JK

hope you get the support you and we deserve on this. :kick:

[LSparkle]

24. I'm proud of him ... better late than never

I may have been pissed at him after the election, but I'm willing to keep an "open mind" and this is a risky move he's making. I can't help but wish that Al Gore had chosen him as VP (instead of Joementum) -- what a team those guys would have made (especially in their new-and-emboldened versions).

[Not_So_Right_Wing]

90. Kerry is being smart.

He knows who butters his bread. His timing is questionable though, he only calls for a filibuster after it is clear that there are at least 61 votes for cloture. Kerry gets to have it both ways and ingratiate himself to activist like us. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now...

[DearAbby]

25. YESSSSSSSSS :::double pumps fist::: Go Kerry Go!

Got your back...call your senators and ask them to support Senator Kerry!

[ClayZ]

34. This is VERY important! Call Senators Fax Email send smoke signals.

[KansDem]

28. Is this all part of a plan?

I mean, send out confusing, conflicting statements among certain Dems and then *POW*--hit them with this at the last moment! Could this have been the plan all along???

[NYC Liberal]

37. I highly doubt it wasn't

simply because he'd have to have made sure that he was gonna have the votes to do it. Which would mean that it was definitely coordinated and VERY well-played!

Let's hope it holds! DEFEAT ALITO!!

[americanstranger]

40. That's what I was thinking.

After all the news reports over the past week on the 'inevitability' of ScAlito getting the gig, they were laying low and letting the GOP get complacent.

Now they gotta move quick and round up support. I called both Schumer and Clinton's offices and urged them to support the filibuster. You should all cal your senators, too! Find the contact info here: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

-as

[wordpix2]

157. I doubt it. This is serious & sens. need as much time as they've got-

The Rethugs are saying the vote on cloture is Monday, I think.

Dems should stall for more time if they can.

[KitSileya]

31. I'll be prayin', that's for sure!

I hope he succeeds - I am very glad he's taken the lead on this even if it flies in the face of protocol. Go Kerry!

[jseankil]

32. Prepare for "nuke option"

What will the fallout be in we get the filibuster?

[IndyOp]

47. Preparing now for nuclear option -->

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[wordpix2]

158. there are no guarantees in life. Resistance v. * at this point, is good

[JackORoses]

33. yeeeeooowwww!

awright awright awright

I guess you truly are the Man of Conscience I believed you to be, John Kerry!

[LeftNYC]

38. Nice...John's been getting some balls lately. Lets see what happens...nt

[rfkrfk]

42. he doesn't need anybodies permission to filibuster

he needs to, get the floor, and start talking

John Kerry, go watch the movie,
'Mister Smith Goes to Washington'

[xultar]

45. THANK YOU GOD!!!!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!

THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kali]

87. Pizza?

popcorn?


:popcorn:

[Career Prole]

46. Thank you, JK. From the bottom of my palpitatin' heart! n/t

[EndElectoral]

50. This is a defining moment for Kerry..if he succeeds....

[wordpix2]

159. he will succeed if we CONTACT OUR SENATORS

[chat_noir]

52. for posterity

[sabra]

55. updated OP

thanks!

[jseankil]

53. *** Senate Contact Info Here ***

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[wordpix2]

161. my second email to Lieberman today

Dear Sen. Lieberman:

I wrote you earlier re: the Alito nomination. I again urge you to FILIBUSTER this nominee and use the FILLIBUSTER TIME to inform the American people about the Constitution, NSA spying, the Katrina investigation, Plamegate and Abramoff. I also request that you speak about the billions of public tax dollars wasted in reckless spending to benefit the likes of KBR-Halliburton without federal oversight of contracts, the criminal conduct of members of Congress and the deficit of $8 trillion under Bush.

You must decide where you stand---either with Alito and Bush Corporation, or with Democrats and the American people who wish to end this GOP scourge on our land and nation NOW. Please decide on the filibuster and help Sen. Kerry garner enough votes to make it happen.

Sincerely,

Constituent

[low_phreaq]

56. CNN.com has more now

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/26/alito/index.html

[Digit]

57. WTG Kerry!

[Nordmadr]

60. Got disconnected from Clintons' phone. Got through to Schumer's

office. I said to the aid tha answered:

I'm sure your getting plenty of these calls but I would like to add my voice and encourage Senator Schumer to endorse Senator Kerry's plan to filibuster Justice Alito.

She sort of chuckled and said she would add it to her list.

That is my first ever phone call to a Senate office! Plenty of letters, emails, FIRST call!

Olafr

[caligirl]

89. Good for you! thanks.

[SharonRB]

61. Woo hoo, Kerry, but

now that we don't have Byrd, and Nelson of Nebraska was already voting "yes," do we have enough votes to sustain a filibuster?

[Strawman]

62. Good. I'm glad he's doing this

When someone as high profile as JK comes out for the filibuster, it's really on the table. It's a real possibility and any Dems who vote for cloture will have alot of explaining to do.

Gotta give him credit here. I would not have expected him to lead this charge. I'll take a plate of crow.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabra]

71. I see Kerry is getting to you, I like it :-)

:rofl:

[Name removed]

80. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabra]

88. Karl is that you? Your day in the limelight is coming up soon...

[wordpix2]

175. hahaha

[Le Taz Hot]

91. Psssst.

The word is "loser." Dude, if you're going to hurl insults, at least spell the correctly.

[chat_noir]

72. troll - RIP

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Caution]

74. Welcome and goodbye

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NYC Liberal]

84. LMAO - buh bye!

[SoCalDemGrrl]

75. Just spoke to Feinstein's office & she wont back filibuster...

her aide just told me to turn on CSPAN@ and the vote is happening now and Alito already has 58 votes FOR.

Anyone know if this is true??? I can't get the Span2 only 1.

(edited for spelling)

[SoCalDemGrrl]

83. Anyone watching CSPAN2??

I can't get it and the vote is supposedly happening NOW

[ticapnews]

86. This is wrong

the tally on C-SPAN is for confirmation. However, to end a filibuster, the GOP needs 60 votes. The tally also only has the count at 54-31.

I edited this once but it looks like it didn't go through...

If you check the C-SPAN thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x250159 you can keep track of what's going on.

[americanstranger]

93. Right now, I'm seeing 54 'yes,' 31 'no.'

-as

(The vote isn't happening now - debate is continuing. I think the votes that CS2 is showing is a summary of how the senators said they would vote.)

[Ammonium]

106. No it's not true

Vote is NOT happening now. CSPAN-2 is showing how many senators have spoken either for or against Alito. So far the count is 54 Yes and 31 No.

[SoCalDemGrrl]

126. Thanks that's a relief - dont know what that staffer was talking about

but sure glad he was wrong!!!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

78. Note to "Senior Dems"...the move to confirm Scalito could backfire, too.

Stop "worrying" and do your fucking jobs.

Love,

B_E_B

[ticapnews]

79. 10 Democrats have not announced intentions (per C-SPAN tally)

Bayh
Cantwell
Conrad
Dayton
Dorgan
Lautenberg
Menendez
Pryor
Rockefeller
Sarbanes

Four Democrats have said they will support Alito:

Byrd
Johnson
Landrieu
Nelson

We have 41 votes for a filibuster right now. If one of those 10 Democrats jumps the fence to vote for cloture, we cannot sustain a filibuster. Of the four who have said they will support Alito, Landrieu and Johnson are the ones that really need to hear from us.

[jseankil]

95. Kerry is in Switzerland

Hope he has one hell of a phone bill.

[ticapnews]

98. The problem with him calling from Switzerland is that the NSA is hearing

everything he is saying...

[jillan]

103. lol!

That's the next fight.

[savemefromdumbya]

99. Big kisses for John Kerry - nothing like a good filibuster!

[DinahMoeHum]

101. Thank you, John. But whatever happens, I'm still not supporting you

for another run at POTUS, unless/until you ditch the wimp Beltway consultants and go direct to the "netroots" (DailyKos, DFA, PDA, etc.)

:kick:

[savemefromdumbya]

110. but maybe he is now?

[Noisy Democrat]

114. What'd you think of Kerry's 2 diaries on DKos

last week? From what I hear, he *is* starting to work on connecting with the netroots -- and maybe we won't see those Beltway consultants again either.

[DinahMoeHum]

163. Let's hope this is not a one-time thing to pacify the progressives.

I'll be watching this carefully.

:kick:

[Dr Fate]

117. I AM. REMATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO JOHN!!!!

[redqueen]

104. The move could backfire? Backfire HOW?

So they're willing to give the highest court in the land to neocons for what... so they don't look bad?

Seriously?

[worldgonekrazy]

123. Amen to that

I was originally against the filibuster because I was afraid it would be a big political defeat for the Dems...but you know what? Fuck it. You've gotta take a stand some time and I can't think of a better day.

[Dr Fate]

111. Mr. Kerry, you just earned yourself a hard working '08 campaigner.

I promise you that!

[bullimiami]

113. me too. he is making up for '04.

[raysr]

115. Just tried his office-phone busy

[wordpix2]

176. oh, yeah, people are calling to speak to VP Kerry

[YvonneCa]

143. Me, too!!

[Rigby Reardon]

118. How serious could Kerry be...

If he is in Davos? Seems like he is only calling for a filibuster, knowing that there is no hope for one, to pander to whomever is going to vote for him in 2008.

I'd like something a bit more genuine

[bullimiami]

122. will he be here for the vote?

[whometense]

136. Of course he will.

Last I heard the cloture vote would be Monday at 5:30 pm.

Alito vote (if cloture passes) at 11:30 am (?) Tuesday.

Did you really think Kerry would miss it?

[Caution]

125. Like what? Give me an example.

A democrat calling for a filibuster and pushing it in the media and with other Dems is EXACTLY what was needed. This is what we WANT. Why even bother speculating at the motivation. Hell if this succeeds because Kerry called for it he's getting a full $2000 from me in 2008.

[sabra]

129. the rumble will happen next week, and he will be back then....

this is him gathering the troops, which he can do via phone, email, and fax!

[henslee]

144. like the blues brothers... on a mission from God.

[confludemocrat]

131. yeah, a real leader would have staked out this position sooner

as said at Kos, craven.

[Dr Fate]

137. He is giving them less time to smear him.

His timing is perfect.

[confludemocrat]

156. Sorry, but this shoulda been about more than how soon he'd be smeared

for God's sake. And he waits until he is out of the country hobknobbing with others of the elite before "stepping up".

[Dr Fate]

How dare him do two things at once.

You just want to attack the guy- I know how it is.

His timing was perfect- if he had came out with this two weeks ago it would have given Karl Rove more time to manufacture lies for the media to repeat. Now they only have a few days.

Either way, Kerry would be sticking his neck out. Kerry has his work cut out for him and he needs our help.

This is not too little or too late- I'm against you discouraging others to heed Kerry's call to support the filibuster.

[karynnj]

172. Also, the norm is that the Majority leader would do it

or possibly people on the Judiciary committee. Apparently Kerry and Kennedy couldn't get Reid and some of the other more conservative Democrats to go along. So Kerry, backed by Kennedy went ahead with it.

Kerry was in the ME until about a week ago. This trip was part of his job on the SFRC. In the Mideast, he said that he had to thouroughly review the hearing when he got back to the US. Given this timeline - when should he have announced a filibuster. It looks like he reviewed everything, wrote an excellent speech, and lobbied his party to filibuster over the last week and he and Kennedy stepped up to fill a leadership vaccum. (Amazing work even with a great staff.)

[Dr Fate]

173. I appreciate the details- I knew it was BS even w/o them. thanx. n/t

thanx.

[confludemocrat]

185. Sticking his neck out? Sticking his neck out? you gotta be kiddin'

How is it that this is all about how he would get smeared? How? and demanding justice for women, minorities, and gays and the poor by acting to block this nomination is "sticking your neck out" So when it comes to Kerry you think we need to trade in timidity and caution and we are to congratulate him for when he leaves that realm for a second while he is out of the country and at the 11th hour.

[karynnj]

174. Other than Kennedy, who else stepped up at all?

Kerry is giving a speech at an economic conference in Davos that he likely committed to months ago. He is also giving a foreign policy speech in Ireland - also long ago committed to.

You make it seem like a ski vacation. (Although Teresa is with him.)

[confludemocrat]

184. Yeah, OK, he's looking like among the least disappointing of Ds on this

at least. But come on, how is this not worth being here instead of blogged words from Davos or Ireland?, although I like his words on this at Kos, but there he is tayloring his words for them, thus the for-once lack of equivocation

[Tight_rope]

120. Damn..Did Kerry grow balls over night or was it the coffee he drank

this morning.

[the_red_pill]

128. didn't he have always have cajones grande?

he was served in vietnam, was decorated and then spoke out against the war when he got back...giving the feds all kinds of headaches, and correct me if I'm wrong but he also tried to draw attention to proxy wars in latin america and the middle east that were fueling their operations by supporting narcotics/arms deals...how did he manage to loose again?

[AuntiBush]

124. This is why I Voted for Kerry...

:( He should be our Prez... :cry:

[ismnotwasm]

127. 'Bout time

I'm sure timing is all part of intricate political maneuvering (whatever)But GODDAM I'm glad he's on record for a filibuster. Alito may be an experience jurist (again, whatever) but it's very clear he has no fucking business on the Supreme Court of the United States. Here's to hope. And thank you John Kerry.

[Placebo]

130. Thank You President Kerry!

Now lets hope we have the votes--and lets make this happen.

For the love of our Constitution, we must do whatever it takes to make sure that Alito is not given a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the land that he can use to push his extremist radical agenda!

[ohtransplant]

138. DU the poll

http://www.cnn.com/

mid-page on the right

[Nite Owl]

139. Needs help

Why do you think John Kerry wants to filibuster Samuel Alito?

Conviction 41%

Politics 59%

[BadgerKid]

165. Update: more help needed

Conviction 42% 16437 votes
Politics 58% 22731 votes

Total: 39168 votes

[rzemanfl]

141. Done. n/t

[Nightwing]

140. Emailed my thanks to Kerry and then....

...blasted an email to every Senate Democrat to get behind Senator Kerry in his bid to filibuster Alito. Damn it feels great to see some fight in our leaders. Let's all hope they make us proud!!

[YvonneCa]

142. This is a man...

...the country can TRUST. Thank you, President Kerry!!! (Yes, I know he's a senator.:D ):patriot:


P.S. He's in SWITZERLAND??? (World Economic Forum) C-Span just reported...that President is SO busy ! :D

[Rhiannon12866]

146. Alright! And we have to call on all our senators to support him!

I got this in e-mail, and called my senators, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, last week, but my message has now changed. I'll call them both tomorrow, and am considering calling Ted Kennedy, Patrick Leahy and Dick Durbin, as well! They are the ones on the Senate Judiciary committee who have spoken out most strongly against Alito, so we need them on board with this! This is one fight that we cannot afford to lose! Here's my e-mail, edited from the PFAW message... I'm sending this, and calling, as well! Feel free to use it, and I'd welcome additional thoughts.:-)

Samuel Alito’s record is clear, and so is the very real threat posed by his nomination: presidential power unchecked by judicial oversight; opposition to the separation of church and state; against the principle of "one man, one vote;" Congress stripped of much of its ability to protect the environment; support of the use of automatic weapons; Americans stripped of their right to privacy and subject to abuses of corporate and government power and supporting the unrestrained power of the Executive branch, which has already gone way too far in ignoring the restraints outlined in the Constitution and American law.

I understand that the filibuster is not a tool to be used trivially. Alito is not a trivial threat. Stand up for your Senate, stand up for the Constitution, and stand up for we, the people. I ask you to filibuster Samuel Alito’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court. We're counting on you to stand up for us! Thank you!

[wordpix2]

147. "Some senior Dems worried filibuster will backfire"--& you call yourselves

leaders"

snip:
Some senior Democrats said they are worried that the move could backfire.

[VegasWolf]

151. and the lack of a filibuster will also backfire. They will lose

progressive votes over their lack of support for womens rights.

[wordpix2]

155. also, lack of support for the little guy but lots of support for BushCo

[Vidar]

160. Merci, Mr. Kerry.

[connecticut yankee]

162. Will he come back from Switzerland

for the proceedings?

[meti57b]

166. the old firing squad joke: "I demand a blindfold, I'm entitled to a .....

Two guys in front of a firing squad, one says "I demand a blindfold, I'm entitled to a blindfold". The other guy elbows him and says "shut up, you'll make them mad".

"Some senior Democrats said they are worried that the move could backfire."

[Breeze54]

168. Call Senators Immediately! Toll free 888-355-9588

Kerry is filibustering Alito!

Call Senators Immediately!

Call the Senators listed below, as well as your own, and tell them:

* a "No" vote is meaningless without a filibuster

* it is cowardly to only fight a fight when assured victory

* the American people need to see the Senate standing up
for separation of powers and against the "Unitary Executive"

Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

If you can't get through,
look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/?lvl=C

First:
Call the three Democrats (Mary Landrieu, Ken Salazar, and Dianne Feinstein)
who oppose Alito but also said they oppose a filibuster.
We must persuade them that a vote against Alito is meaningless
if they don't support a filibuster.

Senator Salazar (D-CO) 202-224-5852
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 202-224-5824
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) 202-224-3841

Second:
Call your own Democratic Senator: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.
If you can't get through,
look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/?lvl=C

Third:
Unbelievably, three Democrats (Ben Nelson, Tim Johnson and Robert Byrd) support Alito!
Tell them to either support filibuster or at least "don't get in the way."

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) 202-224-6551
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) 202-224-3954
Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 202-224-5842

Toll Free!
888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

If you can't get through,
look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/?lvl=C

Fourth:
Call the "Red State" Democrats:
(Message same as above -- "No" is meaningless)

Tom Carper (DE)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Blanche Lincoln (AR) Mark Pryor (AR)

Fifth:
Call these "Blue State" and pro-choice Republicans:
Message: A "Unitary Executive" is dangerous to balance of powers
--please do not get in the way of a filibuster.)

Lincoln Chafee (RI)
Susan Collins (ME)
Lisa Murkowsky (AK)
Bob Smith (OR)
Olympia Snowe (ME)
Ted Stevens (AK)

For extra credit,
call all of the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators
--Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry--
and tell them to either

LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or KISS YOUR SUPPORT GOODBYE.

888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

If you can't get through,
look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/dbq/officials/?lvl=C

You can also send that message to:
the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee(202-224-2447)
and
the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).

Progresssive Democrats of America
Stand Up! Take Action!!
http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/home/

[Wise Doubter]

169. Some senior Democrats said they are worried that the move could backfire.

WTF ??!!!!!!!!!

Ya, if you don`t sign on in support, you %!%*^.

GROW SOME F#&KING BALLS !, and do what is wanted by the people.

enough people equals change

[Doremus]

170. From Kerry's website:

But the bottom line is that it takes more than two or three people to filibuster successfully. It’s not “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” If you want to stop Judge Alito from becoming Justice Alito, use your own email list and organize.


Get to it people!!!

[IndianaGreen]

171. "Some senior Democrats said they are worried that the move could backfire"

Fuck those hand-wringing Democrats, they are no better than the French that collaborated with the Nazis.

John Kerry is DA MAN! He just gained a lot of credibility!

[Binka]

178. No Shit! Harper Lee In To Kill A Mockingbird Said

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.
Harper Lee (1926 - ), To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960

[wordpix]

181. great quote from a great writer

[Eugene]

177. K & R

Alito should be blocked.

[wordpix]

180. Vocalrrhea-mouth Biden refuses to FILIBUSTER when it's his chance to speak

for hours and days. You're out of the pres running in my book,Biden

[zann725]

183. Already signed! Kick!

[DemonFighterLives]

186. Stupid Scotty McClellan making fun of Kerry in press conference

Saying that Kerry calling for a filibuster from a 5 star ski resort was a little funny.

[VP505]

187. What would you

expect from a douche bag??

[DemonFighterLives]

188. No lie

Welcome to DU!
Actually the douchebag said yodeling from the 5 star blah blah.

Kerry still sticking to plan with other dems. caving.
:hi: