Senate majority leader Bill Frist offered the Democrats a compromise on judicial nominations yesterday, 100 hours of debate followed by an up or down vote.
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he would look at Frist's offer, but wasn't all that charitable in his description. "It's a big wet kiss to the far right," he said.
To which I reply, Kiss Me! (audio file warning - in case you're at the office.)
I've got a nuclear feeling in my bones. The tide seems to have turned and the Dems are on the defensive. (Though Captain Ed points out: "100 hours of debate means that it will take seven months to get the seven nominees currently stalled by Democrats in a position to be confirmed.")
If we weren't at war, I would be more concerned with who we're going to put on the Supreme Court than I am with who our current President is. That's why it's so critical to break the filibuster now. Am I dreaming or is that a light at the end of the tunnel?
At the very least we should give the minority what they claim their principles stand for -- fair and open debate. The business of the Senate should come to a halt and everyone with principles can debate until the they drop, which is what a filibuster was before the Senate came up with their "gentlemen's agreement" to redefine what a filibuster is. And when they run out of recipes and sports statistics we could tune in CSPAN at 3:AM to hear their experiences with trying to start a fire using a Coke can and a chocolate bar!
Posted by: Anonymous Bob | April 30, 2005 at 11:26 AM
Simple math. If 'they' had the votes, we wouldn't be debating this. The Filibuster on Judges would be already gone. Why broker a deal if you have a winning hand. So A) Frist offered a deal cause he doesn't have the votes, B) Reid blew him a kiss because he knows he doesn't have the votes.
Now, if the majority wants to participate in dialogue, and offer a compromise, How about selecting judges like the other 205 that were already approved, instead of these 10 who have struggled with the confirmation process.
Flash
Posted by: Flash | May 02, 2005 at 01:11 PM