Probably the reason why they cant get enough votes to block Alito

[Mass]

Another DLC diktat. Sad, but true. I really wished somebody in the Democratic Caucus would call for a vote on cloture even if they dont have the votes. Take a stand.

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=192&contentid=253692

For the same reason and others, we do not think Senate Democrats should try to filibuster this confirmation. A filibuster is certain to fail; indeed, the Senate is certain to respond to a filibuster by outlawing them permanently in judicial confirmations. Using this weapon now would stake Democrats to the implausible argument that Alito's inevitable confirmation is the most egregious act of the Bush administration and the Republican Senate, going into a critical midterm election.

[TayTay]

1. They need to fight or recognize that the filibuster is gone anyway

The DLC is wrong on this. What good is a filibuster if you can never use it? I would rather take a stand on Alito and go down fighting than just let this guy on the court. I send money to some of these folks for the express purpose of fighting bad nominees like this. If they don't fight it, then they will never get another penny from me. (Why would I send them money? They are not doing what they said they would do?)

[Mass]

2. I agree 100 % with you. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that Reid

does not agree (JMO) and as Leahy said that Reid is the one who would decide, I would not expect too much on this one. Oh, they will all vote against him (except for Nelson) and make nice speeches.

[whometense]

3. Rachel Maddow predicted

a surprise move by the democrats on the Senate floor on her show this morning.

Until the vote is over I'm hoping...

[MH1]

6. Reid. Reid. Reid.

That's what we have to make sure people understand. It's HIS job dammit. Some of the folks here at DU and dailykos want to blame democrat-to-be-bashed du jour (usually Kerry) for not filibustering. But it's REID's job. Say it loud, because it's true.

And I'm with Tay, what's the point of reserving a filibuster, if you won't ever use it? Now's as good an opportunity as you can get - especially with the chance to dilute the SOTU message.

[ProSense]

7. This is a good sign

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2389783&mesg_id=2389783

[Mass]

8. Why? They announced their opposition to Roberts as well.

[ProSense]

10. Yes, but a lot of those who voted for Roberts

are not voting for Alito. I 'm just holding out hope, not saying it's definite.

[whometense]

15. A certain irony

is to be noted in the fact that the people who are screaming at Kerry that he needs to "show leadership" on the filibuster are the same ones who were screaming "Foul!" when he showed leadership on Iraq and scheduled his own news conference on the same day as Reid sent Reed to speak for the party.

Can't have it both ways, buckos.

Memo to JK: Please show spine/leadership/male-genital-epithet-of-choice when I think it's appropriate. What you think is not of interest. :sarcasm: (just in case anyone thought I was serious)

[saracat]

17. I think this proves that Reids views on choice influence his decision maki

I want him gone. He stinks as minority leader. I have tried to support him and find something good about him and I haven't trusted him since the Bankruptsey vote. If he can't filibuster this nominee, he needs to go. He is worthless and doesn't represent us. We need a real minority leader who will fight. Reid is just lip service so far.(at least when it counts!)

[_dynamicdems]

4. I couldn't agree more.

If the Dems filibuster and the Repugs kill it, they will have it on their heads. The news will 24-7 it, playing clips from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and talking about the long history of the filibuster. The Repugs will get lots of bad juju and this IS an election year.

[wisteria]

11. I never liked this agreement. I am worried though, that a filibuster

on Alito might work against us. I concerned that a filibuster will damage our chances in the elections this year.
Then again, will most of the voters we are trying to reach really care if Alito is filibustered by the Dem's.The media has been playing this like a partisan tug of war. Many Americans are tired of the bickering. I am not a fan of the DLC, but I have to consider they may be right on this one.
What do we gain by the filibuster? Another Alito is waiting in the wings.
There is that point that MH1 made that we could generate a "Mr. Smith goes to Washington" backlash. This would certainly work in our favor.

I suppose, we just have to ask ourselves, is Alito's nomination such a threat, that it warrants the risks we will be taking?
I have to step back and consider the whole picture. I know one thing, it must be tough being Harry Reid today.

[TayTay]

12. I think it depends on what is stressed in a filibuster

If it becomes about abortion, we lose.
If it becomes about securing the rights of Americans and the right to not be spied on by our Government, then we could win and establish the Dems as the Party that does care about the Constitution.

If depends on how it is framed.

[wisteria]

13. Well, it's certain to be framed as an Abortion issue by the media

because that is exactly what it is to the Republican base. They haven't even considered our argument on personal freedoms and checks and balances directly pertaining to the President.
We would need a keen strategy to quickly and effectively counter the media and Repub spin.

[Inuca]

21. I agree

I keep having similar thoughts crossing my mind, but felt uncomfortable posting about this. Wining the fight but losing the war is indeed a risk is they DO filibuster.

[sandnsea]

5. We need to start making the calls to them

Take them on directly and give them a reality check. Those of us who they oppose this centrism bullshit are not just a bunch of fringe lunatics. Gak, them and the Blue Dogs. *sigh*

[ProSense]

9. The media spinning this as partisan issue, but these prove it's not

Democrats Try to Turn Alito Fight Into Election Issue (Update1)

Jan. 25 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court nomination of Samuel A. Alito, on track for Senate confirmation next week, is shaping up as a possible campaign issue in this year's congressional elections.

While Democrats have had no success in derailing Alito, they are casting his nomination as part of President George W. Bush's drive to expand presidential power at the expense of Congress, the courts and individual rights. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Alito yesterday on a 10-8 party-line vote and sent the nomination to the full Senate, where debate began today.

Republicans say they welcome a political debate over Alito, and the high court's calendar for the rest of the year may work in their favor. The court has deferred review of a contentious federal law that restricts abortion, and a terrorism case on its docket raises national security issues that have been a source of Republican political strength.

Senate Democrats are trying to ``lay the groundwork for making a campaign issue of the decisions on the court,'' South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham said at yesterday's Senate Judiciary session. ``We welcome that debate on our side. We'll clean your clock.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=a98MG1mZ3f7Y

Check out the groups in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2388159&mesg_id=2388159


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2389283&mesg_id=2389283

[zann725]

14. If not NOW...WHEN? What if our forefathers cancelled the Boston Tea Party

...or Paul Revere failed to make his fateful ride?

FILIBUSTER...FILIBUSTER...FILIBUSTER...quite wimping out, putting it off. Our back's against the wall...there's no where further to retreat. Is there? (Gulp.)

[wisteria]

16. I've done a real "flip flop"-sorry !

After further thought, I think we need to filibuster to uphold the ideals our Founding Fathers fought so hard to gain for us against England. What does it say about our party if we back down from a difficult but necessary fight simply because it might not be well received by the public.We are defending the publics' interest even if they don't recognize it as such yet. How can we claim Bush's wiretapping is illegal-yet not fight the nomination of the very person who will support the President on these types of surveillances and even provide further cover for potentially illegal activities in the guise of protecting Americans.Actually, I think most American's are lethargic about this nomination- thinking it to be inevitable and not really caring much. The only voters who are going to be in a major uproar are the Kooky Republican base. We all know, they will never be casting a vote for a Democrat. I don't even like the tone of the Republicans, claiming they are going to be "cleaning our clocks" -please!, Lindsey Graham can clean my clocks anything he wants to.I think we need to take them up on the dare. Playing it safe has gotten us know where-its time to get tough and defend our values and principals.
Now I have to get busy and make some calls and write some e-mails.
PS I did sign Kerry's petition and write my Repub Senators. I want to see them address my concerns and respond in writing.

[ginnyinWI]

18. Kerry mentioned something about

"meeting with his caucus" before he delayed his speech. Could he be meeting with them and trying to make a case for a filibuster? Stuff must be going on over there today!

[jenndar]

19. I think today, Wednesday, is when the Dem. Senators

have their lunch meeting. So that much is routine, but they probably went over time discussing the filibuster.

[whometense]

20. I really hope so.

Maybe it's just me, but I didn't take a lot of hope away after hearing him speak today. To me he seemed just plain angry - not like an angry senator in a group of angry senators. Something about all this does not make sense. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall at some of those discussions today.

[MH1]

22. I know what you mean.

I suspect he is angry at other Dems for not doing the right thing on this. I watched the speech too (streaming in a little tiny window) and that was the feeling I got. It made me mad, too.

:cry:

[whometense]

23. That was the feeling I got, too.

I was hoping to get a little "we're united" vibe, but I also suspect he's angry at others in his own caucus.

I'd been hoping up till this afternoon that they'd manage to pull it off, but I don't really have much hope anymore. That said, I'd be thrilled to have to eat my words.

[Mass]

24. Landrieu is a NO on filibuster

www.dailykos.com

Update <2006-1-25 18:15:39 by Armando>: Senator Mary Landrieu urges there be no filibuster because, get this:

Because we have such a full plate of pressing issues before Congress, a filibuster at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive. It is imperative that we remain focused on creating the tools New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast will need to rebuild. This includes passing the Baker bill and allowing our state to keep its fair share of offshore energy revenues. We simply cannot afford to bring the Senate to a halt at a time when we need its action the most. If called to vote for cloture on Judge Alito's nomination, I will vote yes.

You see, the lifetime appointment of a SUPREME COURT JUSTICE is no big whoop to Sen. Landrieu. It is one thing to be against a filibuster, but to pretend the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice is no big deal is offensive. I don't know what Senator Landrieu believes she is accomplishing with this idiotic and downright offensive press release, but it tells me that she really is not up to the job of United States Senator if she can not understand how important this is. No one has made me angrier in this process. Not even Specter.

Update <2006-1-25 18:26:14 by Armando>: Thinking on it, I have a suggestion for Senator Landrieu - why not put off consideration of the Alito nomination until AFTER we deal with all those important issues she has outlined. I mean, since the Supreme Court is not important according to her, surely Alito's nomination can wait a few months before we address it. Why doesn't Senator Landrieu propose that?

[jenndar]

25. Unbelievable. n/t

[Blaukraut]

26. no surprise, really

Judging from her past caving to the repugs, anyway. I had hoped that she was angry enough at Bush re Katrina to not buckle under anymore. Too bad, especially considering that this vote will not help her one bit.

[karynnj]

27. Could they have been nasty enough to threaten to

drag their feet even more on funding. I agree with you that the fact that they've done so little in the last almost 5 months should make her realize that it's not the filibuster holding the funding up.

[globalvillage]

28. She really didn't need a press release.

Except for the 'D' after her name...

[wisteria]

30. Interesting chart and look at our guy! 100% way to go!! n/t

[Mass]

31. Find the error in your chart.

Who clearly do not belong there! I understand why From does not want him.

[wisteria]

29. I think she is seeing things in the short term. She is being held

accountable for NO and the reconstruction. Her reelection= probably rides on a successful outcome there. She doesn't want to risk offending any republicans who might actually help her get the aid and assistance NO needs. She hasn't given to much though, thats obvious, to the long term effects of an Alito appointment would mean. Alito is no friend to the poor and minorities.

[Mass]

32. I dont think she ever voted for a filibuster (or so rarely)

This is not short term for her.