A Good Deal? Josh Marshall on the filibuster compromise

[Boo Boo]

A good deal? A bad deal? We're supposed to say we got a great deal to win clearly through spin what could not be won so clearly on the merits. It seems an awfully bitter pill to forego the filibuster on both Brown and Owen, particularly the former.

And the main issue isn't resolved so much as it's delayed. The moderate Republicans agree to preserve the filibuster so long as the Democrats use it in what the moderate Republicans deem a reasonable fashion. And yet the use of the filibuster, by its very nature, almost always seems unreasonable to those whom it is used against.

And finally there's the key problem: the White House. Can this agreement really withstand the appointment of another hard right nominee? The subtext of the compromise must be that neither side will be pushed beyond its limits. But that would, I think, force the Democrats to resort to the filibuster. And then everything, presumably, would unravel from there. It's hard for me to see how this deal survives the sort of appointee President Bush seems all but certain to appoint to the Supreme Court.

... snip ...

So this isn't a pleasant compromise. But precisely because the Republicans -- or their leading players -- are absolutists in a way the Democrats are not, I think this compromise will batter them more than it will the minority party, which is after all a minority party which nonetheless managed to emerge from this having fought the stronger force to something like a draw.

More...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_05_22.php#005731

[Teaser]

1. Include the end if you can

Because the excerpt you excise only mentions the difficulties with the compromise, and neglects Josh's conclusion that we won, all things considered.

[Boo Boo]

2. There ya go. The end is in sight!

It's worth noting, however, that his conclusion about who came out on top is purely inside baseball---i.e. the Republicans lost in terms of political perception. That's fine, better than nothing, although it's a conclusion I don't take much solace from. I'm not a big believer in compromising with bullies, it legitimizes their tactics.

It will be interesting to watch and see how this plays out over time, but based on Bush/Rove past history I expect they'll be back for another bite at the apple.