More on Kerry Backing Filibuster!!!!

[kerrygoddess]

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.”

There’s a Senate Phone List here, with numbers to all the Democratic Senators and the key moderate Republicans. There are also two toll free numbers - 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

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

Spread the word!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

1. So what?

A filibuster would be the height of stupidity now. I fully support the Democrats fighting hard and long, but this fight was over in the hearings, and a filibuster won't fly.

Timing, they say, is all.

[villager]

3. ????

????

[ewagner]

4. filibuster won't fly?

you mean because there are 8 Dems who won't support it? Or because the Repubs will use the "nuclear option?"

Or, is there another reason?

[bettyellen]

5. totally disagree. it is time for a filibuster.

it will bring the issues to the people, they will get reported for once, if they try this.
even if it doesn't work, it's the only shot we have to stop him.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

15. Isues to the people?

That's what the hearings were for. That's not what a filibuster is for. The people hve already seen what the Republicans wanted them to see, including Mrs. Alito running out in tears.

Filibusters are procedural, don't forget. The substance of the Democrats' objections to Alito should have been brought forward during the hearings. Instead, we got Joe Biden in a Princeton baseball cap.

Alito is a done deal. Time to move on.

[bettyellen]

23. the hearings did not get enough attention, a filibuster will get

much more attention, successful or not. it's a great chance to educate the electorate, as well as stand for something.
people are starting to talk about spying, civil rights, the unlimited executive powers being claimed.
drawing out the process of confirmation is helping to get theses issues in the news. So, I can't agree is time to move on, sorry. I'd like to see it go on for another two weeks until every voters curious enough to want to know why.
for some of us, it's not always about winning. it's about doing the right thing.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

24. God, I misspelled "Issues"

Anyway, I understand your argument, but the simple truth is that the people don't care, and they sure as hell aren't about to pay any attention to what a bunch of old white guys (mostly) are standing around jawing in the well of the Senate.

The people don't care. That's the worst thing Fuckface has done to this country.

Consider Iraq.

Consider our trade deficit and crushing debt.

Consider Katrina.

The people don't care.

The Democrats never put together a case against Alito because they're too busy being impotent.

Facing reality sucks, but that's how I see all this.

[bettyellen]

29. well, you saw it all different. i saw some senators make compelling

arguments against alito's appointment, that were completely buried in the news and replaced by pablum.
if we filibuster, I think they'd be forced to show the why, on the evening news for once.
and a lot of the arguments tie in to issues just coming to the surface, especially the nsa spying,privacy the press likes an issue that's not completely out of left field, they love their tie ins, you know, easier to understand (for the newsreaders).
even the most detestable MSM sources are regularly covering the govts actions, spying and privacy, in a not totally favorable light,
it's a great time to address and clarify these issues, and if nothing else the filibuster is a great vehicle for it.
Plus, there's the thing about standing for what is right, i can't say i believe that's ever a bad thing.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

33. Alas, no, they did not

They presented their opinions, which, in terms of confirmation procedure, are worthless.

They did not make their case, which has to be done much as a prosecutor in court makes a case against a defendant. The Democrats shirked their responsibility.

I'm the first to agree with you that the media in the US is worthless, but, in this matter, they reported what happened - or didn't happen. The Democrats served up (soon-to-be) Mr. Justice Alito on a golden platter.

It's one thing to stand for what is right, but this isn't Mr. Somebody Goes To Washington. This is one where the Democrats screwed it up, and no amount of filibustering could ever repair that damage.

[bettyellen]

39. i watched the hearings, i watched the news coverage, and it was biased

and what i'm saying is, whether or not they made their case or not, it was not brought to the public enough for them to have any informed opinion of it. i heard some pretty compeeling arguments against his confirmation, and saw nothing of it on the evening news.
i'm curious as to what you realy thought was missing when they were making their case, i saw a lot of court decisions brought up that were troubling. where do you think they dropped the ball exactly?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

40. They didn't have all the information

The Democrats didn't question - they made speeches. Joe Biden was, perhaps, the worst offender.

The Democrats didn't ask the hard questions that would have thrown Alito off his prepared answers. They were supposed to drill him, the way a prosecutor drills a hostile witness, and they didn't do it.

They were not prepared, their lack of pressure on him was a gift to Fuckface, and they let Alito skate right through it, untouched. For instance, letting Graham set up that "crying game" of Mrs. Alito's was bush-league (forgive the pun). Letting that go by, and allowing the sideshow that flourished afterwards was when I realized, to my horror "They're not going to do ANYTHING!" and that is precisely what they did.

[bettyellen]

42. i saw many tough questions go unanswered, and the dems vilified

for even asking them.
i just don't get the expectation that it's supposed to be such a polite process, that seems like BS to me, certainly always has, but that's the standard people are used to. and well biden, yeah, that was creepy, as well as the staged outrage and the wifes tears, what a load of crap.
but i agree with you to a certain extent in that the press likes the drama, and we mighta made a better showing if we hadn't been quite so polite. even so, i think the average american has very little idea what went on there, and they should know od our concerns, one way or another. the filibuster, or dragging this out- provides a way. i don't want this in the bag before the SOTU, that's for sure.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

43. What is

SOTU?

[bettyellen]

45. State of the Union, isn't it Tuesday....

I'd prefer this whole thing to be hanging over his head for that, especially witht the the issue of him extending his presidential powers.
btw, did you catch scotti the other day saying * gets his extended powers from the constitutuion, not the permission from congress to use force? bastard slipped it right in there and then only called on the soft ballers afterwards. very scary shit.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

46. Oh, thanks

The State of the Union address. It's a joke. Don't fret about it - it's become meaningless during Fuckface's reign. Nothing but showboating and bullshit, presumably, this time, with a disabled (but not too badly) Iraqi veteran, Mrs. Alito, and someone equally camera-friendly sitting with Pickles.

I don't know who Scotti is, but anyone can say anything, so who cares? I'm curious to see what the Democrats do with this. If anything.

So far, some private citizens have filed suit, alleging their conversations were spied on. A colleague of mine is representing one - should be interesting.

[bettyellen]

48. Scott Mc Clellan (probably mispelled, but who cares) the guy who runs the

WH press briefings. I would think that it matters, since he's speaking for the president, it's not "just anyone", but thanks for the assumption, and the instructions "not to fret". LOL .
wow, for someone who said it's all about PR, you got me scratching my head. you certainly dismiss a lot of press coverage as being meaningless, and yet you're suprised that "people don't care". no connection between the two when you don't feel like seeing it, eh?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

51. Scottie McClellan?

He's a mouthpiece and a totally lying sack of shit. He's nothing but a craven whore. Don't let him get into your head, not for a second. Viperous little slut, he is.

Excuse me? I don't quite follow your second paragraph.

It's all about PR and the population at large isn't interested in this crap. Do you think people WOULD care if the press coverage were better? It's all about PR to the people who care.

Did I say it simply enough for you this time.

No wonder you're scratching your head. After thirty years in Washington, I've seen a lot of bald spots on people outside the Beltway.

[bettyellen]

57. i was saying the press coverage has been so slanted, it's no wonder the

average american has no outrage, let alone interest. is that "simple enough for you" ?
i'm not sure what point your making except that perhaps no one should do anything politically because people in general are too stupid to care? who are the people that care" that you refer to?
you're a smart lady, lefty, but it's hard to ignore the presumptuous and condescending tone you take sometimes, "don't fret" or let him "get in your head"...and explaining what Scottie is, as if, LOL.
your posts often read as if you're talking down to people, and it's a bit off putting. i know sometimes otherwise intelligent people are kinda clueless socially, so i thought you deserved a heads up.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

58. Cute.

You're hard to understand, and when I say your comments are hard to understand and try to simplify for you, you take to namecalling.

If I tell someone "Don't fret," that's what's known as trying to soothe someone and make them feel at ease.

In your case, I couldn't possibly talk down to you, since you're so far out of my sphere, I wouldn't even know where to find you.

As for socially clueless, well, honey, I may well be when it comes to you, since, as I said, I can't reach that far down.

Feel better, dear?

[bettyellen]

59. okay, well now i know that you do intend to be rude and condesending

and this is from somebody who couldn't even understand a simple post about sharing cookie recipes.
honey, that one showed you are losing yours, i was right to be concerned about you losing your edge! LOL.
happens to everyone in time, i guess, how sad.

[FreedomAngel82]

64. Did you watch the hearing?

They damn well asked question's. What the hell were you watching?

[OldLeftieLawyer]

68. Clean up your tone, hon.

No need to get all nasty, is there?

Yeah, I watched a good part of them until I couldn't stomach the antics and incompetence any more.

Perhaps I saw different hearings than you did. I got 30 years as a Washington lawyer, so I see things differently, and I probably had higher expectations.

I expected them to conform to their Constitutional duty. I did not expect the Democrats to turn into supplicating doormats.

Joe Biden, a Senator, donning a Princeton baseball cap?

Please.

And you're forgiven for your rudeness.

[radio4progressives]

35. The only time I will likely agree, it is over. the Dems should have fought

this in the hearings, and they should have been prepared for the antics of the right, and joe Biden was a freaking idiot, as usual.

the dems handed our asses on a silver platter to the fascists and now it appears to be over. What appeared to be a fairly tattered constitution, will soon all be obliterated. Incrementally in some areas and sudden and quick in others.

I have no idea what it will take to restore it, if even possible, but it's apparently beyond the capability of this Congress, and beyond the ability of our own party to make the case that should have been made in the days and weeks following 9/11 before signing on to the Patriot Act which they did without even fucking reading the goddamn thing.

As for it's "time to move on"... yes indeed it is time to "move on". Perhaps "move on" out of the country, or "move on" to form a new party. A party which will have the courage, and the fortitude to take on the fascists all the way. no back room deals, no running for cover, no speaking out of both sides of the mouth.

[wisteria]

44. The media will not miss a que on this. The media has to cover the

Dem's objections on this-it is a big story over a done deal. We may not win, but more to the point we are making it known that we have grave concerns about Alito. We have taken a position of leadership on behalf of the people.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

47. Wanna hear an old lawyer joke?

Q: What do you call a man who gets only 51 votes on his confirmation to be on the Supreme Court?
A: "Mr. Justice".

What I'm saying is that it's over, it's meaningless, the people don't care, and now we have to concentrate on electing Democrats who aren't wimps, wusses, and pandering whores.

I'm sorry, but no Democrat took any position of leadership before the American people. Kerry's call for a filibuster is as impotent as the rest of the Democrats - purely showboating. Breaks my heart to admit that, but, I'm kind of fond of reality.

[zanne]

52. Time to "move on" to what?

With a stacked Supreme Court, it'll only be a matter of time before there isn't much left to move on to.

[FreedomAngel82]

62. I don't freakin think so!

Remember all the promises they said about saving up for the big one? THIS IS IT! If he gets on the bench IT'S OVER!

[caligirl]

30. Lets see what happens when Frist tries to pull the n word trick.

Make the republicans fight for this guy if they want him so bad. Brings media foucus and the dems get to air out the issues to the American people more fully. Gets someons attention doesn't it.

[stillcool]

7. Huh?....

Jeez..you're a real inspiration...:wtf:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. I'm not here to be an inspiration

I'm here because my opinion on a message board is every bit as valid as yours.

Find your inspiration somewhere else. I happen to disagree with the idea of a filibuster, so you think I'm failing as your "inspiration."

Give me a break.

[stillcool]

18. no...you're no inspiration...

Please excuse my ignorance...I thought you were somebody else...go take that break...by all means...

[OldLeftieLawyer]

19. Lord,

talk about personalizing a message board!

A dangerous symptom, I'd say.

It might be wise for you to take a break. Catch your breath. Regain your good sense.

[stillcool]

20. For some reason...

that sounds like excellent advice.:hi:

[OldLeftieLawyer]

32. Back atcha, kid

<wink>

[FreedomAngel82]

66. I guess you don't care about

privacy, the Congress having the power (as the Constitution states), women's rights, gay rights, voting counting and true democracy here in the United States. Oh and I guess you don't give a damn about the Constitution either.
So you don't care about those things do you? Are you a woman? Do you care what happens to women with abortions?

[sirjohn]

49. Senator Byrd blew the whistle on this one

Very ineffective presentation at the hearings. Made us look like blowhards and fools, so bad that Byrd condemned it.

Now Kerry wants to turn back the clock and re-start the discussion.

Face it, we lost this one.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

55. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you, I want to buy you a house and an airplane, and I'll love you forever for GETTING IT.

Now, how tall are you?

[sirjohn]

61. Never hear much of that stuff here.

Mostly doom and gloom, whining, anger, outrage, etc.

Now, about that airplane.....

[OldLeftieLawyer]

65. Welcome to DU

Yeah, well, there's a lot of rage, but sometimes the information index falls pretty low.

Welcome to DU, and, uh, do you have hair?

[sirjohn]

77. Short and bald as a cueball, sorry.

[SammyBlue]

50. Wow. . .you would throw away our country and freedoms of TIMING????

You are amazing, LeftieLawyer! Don't stop the fight until the blood stops pumping!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

56. What fight?

It was over in the hearings. The Democrats blew it.

You can keep beating a dead horse if you like, but you're wasting your time and energy.

There is no fight. There might have been a fight, but the Democrats on the committee let it slip away and did the minimum.

There is no fight. It's over. A filibuster cannot correct the errors the Democrats made at the hearings.

Yeah, it's all about timing. We lawyers (and politicians) call it "procedure," and if you don't understand it, you'll end up covered in blood, panting, still having lost.

Relax. It's time to move on. There never was any fight, unfortunately.

[FreedomAngel82]

69. LOL!

And you're supposed to be a lawyer? Gee, if I'm ever hurt or some injustice happens to me I don't want you as my lawyer.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

71. That's all right

I doubt you'd pass the requirements my firm has for clients, plus, you'd never be able to afford me.

Best of luck to you, though.

[stevietheman]

60. I'm too good a person to call you what I would like to call you.

I'll just say "Wrong on yet another issue".

[OldLeftieLawyer]

74. No, you're not

You're just another nimrod who dwells in the darkness of my IgnoreLand.

heh heh heh

[ewagner]

2. Faxed my Senators

about an hour ago....Feingold and Kohl....told them it is time to "draw the proverbial line in the sand"..

[bettyellen]

6. thanks

NGU!

[cyberpj]

26. Just faxed mine and 10 others too including Kerry, Kennedy, Reid, Clinton

[crikkett]

8. It ain't over;

votes are being declared now, but won't actually be cast until debate is over.

With all due respect to our elderly crumudgeons up-thread, we younger and more-hopefuls deserve to earn our cynicism just like you have. :hi:

It's not over until the votes are cast. Chin up.

[AtomicKitten]

10. never say die -- it ain't over til it's over

and thank you for reminding us.

[cyberpj]

9. The is the perfect time to do it. But do today's pols have it IN THEM?

They're all pretty soft and cushy now, not used to much discomfort.

And what a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to remind America what the thing IS and why it's there in the first place!

[cyberpj]

11. And MY senator is Biden! If anyone can filibuster, it's BIDEN!! nt

[Blue_In_AK]

12. He does like to hear himself talk, doesn't he? :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

67. lol

Oh I'd love him to filibuster. I wonder what he'd talk about if he was. He's not married is he? I'm surprised he isn't. :shrug:

[cyberpj]

72. Biden is married to his second wife. The first one died

in an auto accident here in our home state of Delaware.

In 1966, while in law school, Biden married his first wife, Neilia Hunter, with whom he had three children, Joseph R. III (Beau), Robert Hunter, and Amy. His wife and infant daughter died in an automobile accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. His two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. Biden was sworn into office from their bedside.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden

[OldLeftieLawyer]

17. Yeah,

and when he might have been asking Alito about Vanguard in the hearings, he was busy fellating him while wearing a Princeton baseball cap.

Nice work, Biden.

[Seabiscuit]

21. This marks the first time I've disagreed with you...

I agree that Senators like Biden were milquetoast re: Alito, and the Dems should have been a lot harder on him during the confirmation hearings.

But I disagree about use of the filibuster. If it ever had any purpose it was to send a loud message of protest, and if ever there was a time to do so it is now. It's a useless procedural tool if left to lie dormant at such critical times. I say force the pukes to use their "nuclear option" and use that against them during the midterm elections. And guess what? If they destroy the filibuster it won't be available to them in the future when they're the minority party.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

22. We've disagreed before,

just recently, but I forget what it was.

Ah, old age .........

The Democrats would never have mustered the votes for a filibuster, they'd have had their asses handed to them if they had, and they'd have ended up looking even more like the hapless jerks the public believes them to be. So much of this, don't forget, is public relations.

Alito was always a sure thing, but there could have been resistance at the hearing level, where it belonged. Those hearings were an embarrassment.

A filibuster would be just another example of Democrats trying to clean up after themselves when they never should have made the mess in the first place. Do you realize how much time they had to prepare a solid case against Alito? And they did nothing.

[cyberpj]

27. EXCELLENT POINT. nt

[caligirl]

41. 100% agree with you. Turn the use of the N option against them in

'06 elections starting the moment they do it. Besides we all know Frist is a moron.

[cyberpj]

25. Not sayin I'm proud of him lately - Just sayin the man can talk......

and talk...
and talk...
and talk..........................

[OldLeftieLawyer]

36. Oh........

You got that right. And not a whole sentence in the bunch ........... ;)

[radio4progressives]

38. Biden is in Israel overseeing the Election results ... n/t

[DemInDistress]

13. thanks for all the phone contacts I called and stressed the

strip searching of a 10 year old girl hell I have 2 nieces who are young and aggressive cops may want to look at their cute little butts...I even called Snowe. wow, I did 12 so far and more will follow.. Please stress the fact that alito is a pervert and cant be trusted...
thanks again for the site..

[Nutmegger]

14. Hopefully something gets done

I guess the main question is if Dr. Schiavo has the votes for the "nuclear option"?

:bounce::bounce:

[flpoljunkie]

37. Excellent! Does Frist have the votes for the "nukular option?" I say no!

Republicans will want to think long and hard before they change the rules of the Senate on filibusters for judicial nominations--especially when we may well kick their asses in November and take back one or both houses of Congress. Do they really want to go down this road?

Call their bluff! Make Dick Cheney come in, if necessary, and break the tie to change the filibuster rules on judicial nominations.

Article from when this last came up in April, 2005:

Filibuster Vote Will Be Hard to Predict
Undecided Republicans Are Big Unknown

By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 28, 2005; A04

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20 ...

Republicans are angry that Democrats have used the filibuster -- which can be stopped only by 60 votes in the 100-member Senate -- to block 10 of President Bush's appellate court nominees. Senate GOP leaders want to ban such filibusters, but some of their 55 members dislike the idea. All 44 Democrats and the chamber's lone independent flatly oppose it.

Democrats say a two-thirds majority is required to change Senate rules, but Republicans plan to use a constitutional argument to contend that a simple majority will suffice to ban judicial filibusters. For three months, lawmakers, aides and lobbyists have speculated on whether Frist can muster the 50 votes needed to enable Cheney to put him over the top.

Frist can lose only five Republicans, and three appear almost surely gone. Sens. Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Olympia J. Snowe (Maine) have condemned the proposed rule change so sternly that party leaders assume they will side with Democrats. Many Republicans also expect to lose Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), although she remains publicly uncommitted. Collins "believes that the filibuster has been overused but would like to see the situation resolved through negotiation rather than a rule change," her office said yesterday.

If Collins, Chafee, McCain and Snowe oppose the change, then Frist could suffer only one more GOP defection Speculation hangs most heavily on Sens. John W. Warner (Va.), Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Arlen Specter (Pa.), all of whom say they are undecided.

Signature lines are currently turned off due to high traffic.

[FreedomAngel82]

70. I don't think he does

Why else is he calling for the votes so early? He's worried.

[Hawkowl]

28. Filibuster or lose the midterms

This is an opportunity for all Senators to actually go on record and give a speech on why they are against *'s taking away our rights. Against spying on Americans. Against imprisoning Americans without a trial, counsel or warrants. Against torture.

This filibuster won't have to be frivolous with reading newspapers into the congressional record. Let's see how long the fuhrer can stand the heat of Senatorial outcry by Senator after Senator after Senator gives lengthy explanation how * is destroying the constitution and Alito will be merely a rubber stamp--neither checking or balancing.

The media will have to run sound bites of the Democrats as a check against the imperial presidency.

[caligirl]

31. fits with what Boxers office said this am, no decision on F. yet this am.

[boobooday]

34. Fight Fight Fight

I support fighting every GOP power-grab move tooth and nail.

We need to stop "choosing our battles" and fight every single one.

And you know what? Even if the filibuster won't stop Alito, I need it. I need to see that they aren't going to just roll over. Again.

[kerrygoddess]

53. CNN Now reporting

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

[Dr Fate]

54. I have decided that Kerry has my '08 primary vote.

My message:

You have to get through me to get to Kerry from here on out.

[mtnsnake]

63. He's a good man, but he'll be 1 of the last ones to get my primary vote

Been there done that, Dr Fate. He's as poor a campaigner as he is a fine Senator.

However, if he does get the nod, he'll have my full support, and I only hope he hires a COMPLETELY different team of managers and campaign advisors than those jackasses he had running the show last time.

(edit in subject)

[Dr Fate]

73. I'm not supporting a "campaigner," I'm supporting a President.

I've been thinking hard about this- perhaps the public is ready for a PRESIDENT as opposed to a campaigner?

This is how I will frame my support for him:

"Do you want a used car saleman with slick lines, or do you want a man who is responsible and who can lead? We saw what the best 'campaigner' got us- are you now ready for a PRESIDENT?"

I think America is/will be ready for that.

Good luck to you and the candidate of your choice!!

[mtnsnake]

76. Good post

I like how you framed it!

Our people could use a quote like that during the next campaign.

:toast:

[IndianaGreen]

75. I fully support Kerry and Kennedy in their filibuster of the puke Alito

Kerry just got my vote for 2008!