DNC Conference call with Reid at 11:45am EST

[Rose Siding]

Did anyone sign up for this?

Here's the form

http://www.democrats.org/action/200505160002.html?psc=redir

Join Our Nuclear Option Briefing with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid
Get the facts about the Republican plan to eliminate the filibuster from the man leading the fight. Senator Harry Reid will brief Democrats in a nationwide conference call Wednesday, May 18 at 11:45 Eastern time. Sign up by filling out the form below. To ask Senator Reid a question on the call, submit your question in the comments field.

[Jo March]

1. I've signed up

And I asked a question, too, but don't know if there is time for my question to get in there.

[hedda_foil]

2. Thanks! It hasn't started yet.

Here's the info in case you're late getting in.

o join the call, dial 1 [phone]. Once you are connected, enter pass code 11755211 followed by the pound (#) sign.

[Jo March]

3. I'm in but on hold

Is anyone going to post notes in this thread for the others?

[vickie]

4. Someone please provide a recap for those of us who can't

participate. Thank you very much.

Vickie

[Jo March]

5. 'kay! It's starting! nt

[Jo March]

6. Brief greeting from DEAN!!

He's on an airplane


He's thanking Reid for doing this.

Nuclear option affects S.court...including choice of justices.

empower yourself - tell your neighbors

If they get away with this, we will have one-party rule, sweep away 200 years of government

[Roland99]

7. "They can only change the rules by getting 67 votes"

Is it that many?




"The Republicans are drunk with power"

[Jo March]

8. Reid speaking

Tried everything that I can do, tried to compromise

this WH, this congress, is ARROGANT

They control SC, every person in SC is a repub or has been appointed by repbu

Senate, House and Presidency repub

approved 208 judges; only fighting 5

They can change the rules by 67 votes

They will say it takes 51

VP Cheney will come with them

[Jo March]

9. reid: repubs are drunk with power

There will be a vote next tues - maybe Wed, probably Tues

[Roland99]

10. Question from Dwayne in PA

Can you explain why allowing this change to take place would still be so wrong if we become the majority in a few years and use it to our advantage.



"I believe if you are in a ballgame, you don't change the rules in the middle of a ballgame."

[Jo March]

11. ? - why would this be so wrong if Dems were in power?

Reid - if you are in a ballgame, you don't change the rules.

Telling a story of him and his brother playing baseball

(Me - that question was so stupid - probably repub question)

Reid talking about how he was better than his bro - faster, etc - but he never won anything because his bro kept changing rules

This change sets a precident. If they do it now, they will do it again on other judges and simple legislation.

Wrong thing to do regardless of who is in power.

[janx]

22. Definitely a Repub question. No doubt about it. n/t

[Jo March]

30. Yeah. Darn mole.

They just have to be jerks about it, don't they? As if the repubs don't control darn near everything.

[Roland99]

12. "What is the threat to GOP Senators if they vote their conscience"

Reid replying the Senators will not get campaign contributions. GOP punishes people for voting their conscience.

[Jo March]

13. ? - what is the repercussions to Repubs who vote with Dems

The way things go, they will punish people who vote their conscience. Arlen Spector said that all judges shouldn't be approved. He was slapped down and put in "time out".

They will punish them.

[Roland99]

14. Bob in R.I.

If the rule change goes through, what would it take to change it back?




"In my estimation, it would take 67 votes."

[Jo March]

15. ? - if it goes into effect, can we change it back

It will take 67 votes to change it back.

[Renew Deal]

16. I'm on the phone with Sen. Reid

:D

[Roland99]

17. Sarah, FL

Best argument we can use to convince Senate Republicans and their supporters this is not in the country's best interest?


"The filibuster was setup to protect minorities."


"It is the saucer that cools the rhetoric (according to Washington and Jefferson"


"We will turn into an extension of the House of Rep."

[Jo March]

18. ? - how can we convince repub senators

200 years
filbuster set up to protect minorities
It's worked well
Made for compromise

Washington, Jefferson established the way this should be

"Saucer that cools the rhetoric"

The country will be hurt. Less than what we were.

[Roland99]

19. How can I personally help you?

"We have no hope for the Georgia Senators helping us.


If you're in Arizona, R.I, Maine, PA, Alaska, NH, those people on this phone should make personal calls or if you know the senators from those states, and say you're making a real mistake here and we'll remember it in 2006 or when you're up for re-election"


"The Senate is being led by the radical right. They don't represent the mainstream Republicans. We need 6 Senators."

[Jo March]

20. ? - how can I personally help you

Mark from GA, we have no hope with the senators from GA. None.

AZ, RI, ME, NE, PA, AK, NH - those people should make PERSONAL calls to those Senators! Call them and tell them that you are watching.

The repubs are controlled by radical right.

We need 6 senators!

[katinmn]

21. I'm listening -- telling people to make calls to repub xenators

we need six to join with dems

[Jo March]

23. ? how many times have Dem judges been filibustered?

Look in history.

1917 - it was changed to 57
then changed to 60

Dem judges blocked by Repubs. During Clinton years, they didn't let them out of the committe

69 noms killed in committee

repubs don't have clean hands

We've turned down 10 which is now down to 5

they are interested only in today

[Roland99]

24. How many times have the GOP used the filibuster?

20% of nominees fell by the wayside in the past.

1917 changed the rules
1964 changed it again to be allowed to break a filibuster.

never even allowed presidential nominees to come to the floor. 69 of nominees never came out of committee. Most never had a hearing.


They want everything and they are not interested in what went on or what might go on. They only think of today.

[Roland99]

25. Closing statement

Thanking everyone for emails, phone calls, rallies.


Anything that you can do to affect those states that I mentioned (AZ, RI, VA, ME, NE, PA, AK, NH) exert influence to have them not do this.

We need 6 Republicans to stand up and say "we have enough power. We don't need more power."


Thanking Dean.


Bye.

[Jo March]

26. Closing remarks from Reid

Thanking the grassroots folks!

Anything to affect -

AZ, VA, RI, ME, NE, PA, NH -- call them!

We need 6 repubs who will stand up and say, "We have enough power"

Thanked Dean for doing a great job!

[Roland99]

27. *6* Republicans! Not 4!

[Jo March]

28. I just corrected it. Thanks

Typing faster than I should be.

[Roland99]

29. heh heh