Senate Takes Up Debate on Bush Judge (Here we go!)

[shawn703]

Concluding it was time to act, the Republican-controlled Senate began debating one of
President Bush's most contested judicial nominations Wednesday in a showdown over whether the White House can place like-minded judges on the federal bench over the objection of minority Democrats.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., called the Democratic blockade of seven Bush U.S. Appeals Court nominees "radical," and said one of those judges, Texas judge Priscilla Owen, should be confirmed despite Democratic accusations that she is a "judicial activist" who pursues an ideological agenda.

"Vote for the nominee. Vote against the nominee," Frist said. "Confirm the nominee. Reject the nominee. But, in the end, vote."

But Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said Democrats would fight to retain what power they still have in a Washington where the GOP controls the White House and both houses of Congress.


more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050518/ap_on_go_co/filibuster_fight

[liberal N proud]

1. judicial activist

That term just scares the fuck out of me.

Aren't they simply suppose to interpret the law as it is written?

:dunce:

[sarcasmo]

2. These Fristians are going to ignore the Constitution and get rid of the

filibuster. Welcome to the new Amerika, where there are no checks and balances.

[fighttotheend]

3. Thats what they wanted from the start and now they are almost there

[tx_dem41]

4. I'm pro-filibuster, but can you point out where the filibuster...

...is in the Constitution? I disagree vehemently when Frist says its "unconstitutional". Its a longstanding Senate rule.

[endarkenment]

5. right

It is neither constitutionally mandated nor is it constitutionally prohibited. What is in the constitution is that the senate can make its own rules and that the senate has a say in executive appointments.

The fillibuster is a 200 year old senate-rules tradition. More importantly it has become one of the de facto pillars of support for keeping our republic a multiparty government. It is a barrier to one party rule, a barrier that may very well fall this week.

The pieces are all falling into place. The observation by Mr. Franklin that our government "is a republic if we can keep it" is being put to the test.

[NYYFan]

8. I like that word- Fristians

It fits them to a tee.

Nice one, Sarcasmo :thumbsup:

[E-Z-B]

6. I wouldn't have expected the right-wing to let their fanatical base down

Once the dems are back in power, they'll change the rules back again.

[shawn703]

7. Hmm, should they?

Or should the Republicans hang at their own gallows, to paraphrase Sen. Byrd?

[MN ChimpH8R]

9. LOL!

That image gives me the warm fuzzies. :-)

It can't come to be soon enough :evilgrin:

[JRob]

10. Heated Senate showdown opens on judges (not on CSPAN)

...are we surprised?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A heated showdown over President Bush's stalled judicial nominees began in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday with Republicans threatening to reduce Democrats' power in Congress if the conservative candidates are again thwarted.

Fierce debate over an expected bid to change centuries-old Senate procedures began immediately, with Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, accusing Democrats of using obstructionist tactics to "kill, to defeat, to assassinate these nominees."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&u=/nm/20050518/pl_nm/usa_congress_judges_dc_4


Senate Leaders Spar Over Bush Nominees (AP)

WASHINGTON - The Senate must vote on Texas jurist Priscilla Owen, Republicans argued Wednesday, opening debate on the Democratic-blocked appeals court nominee and setting events in motion that could bring a historic showdown over filibusters.

As lawmakers clashed on the Senate floor over the Democrats' blockade of Owen, negotiators from both parties worked behind the scenes to craft a deal that would avert a constitutional confrontation.

"If it's going to happen, it's going to happen this afternoon," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said of an agreement to defuse the situation. "It's kind of like exams. If you have a date-certain, people tend to react."


Call or write the Senate NOW!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1791229&mesg_id=1791229

[maddezmom]

11. watching live on CSPAN2 now 4:40 pm CT