Why was it an uphill battle?

[ProSense]

The Democrats could have produced 40 no votes because there are only four Democrats voting to confirm Alito. There is an Independent and a Republican voting no on Alito's confirmation. Why no arm twisting to bring them along? Isn't the goal of voting no to stop an action for going forward?

There were 42 no votes possible and the excuses not to fight for those votes made no sense.


Kerry and Kennedy had the numbers but for the one who decided not to stand up. They're voting no anyway. It wasn't about changing their vote, but ensuring that their vote had maximum impact.



Edited to add: I know the uphill was rallying those who wer for cloture to change their vote. But why did they decide to vote for cloture when en masse the filibuster would probably have succeeded?

[sandnsea]

1. The aftermath

It wasn't the vote today that was the problem, it's what happens afterwards. If the filibuster had succeeded, how many more cloture votes? How do we make the case to America more than what we have? Do we undermine the fight on the wiretapping and lobbying corruption if the supreme court fight becomes extended? On and on. I don't know the answers to all those questions myself, I just know that you choose political fights based on right and wrong, not calculations of which ones you'll win. I could win the fight on making my kids do dishes every night, but who cares. Winning the fight to keep them off drugs was alot more important.

[ProSense]

2. Even if it couldn't be sustained

they could have promised one or two votes to send a strong message. I don't get it.

[sandnsea]

3. Hey, I agree

At least give it enough votes to make the Republicans squirm. These idiots put a smirk on the Republican Party's face, I don't understand why they at least don't get that.

I really think we need to organize, a national strategy, into the red states we go.

[whometense]

4. I love this post from First Draft

Athenae: http://www.first-draft.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5092&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

First of all, I've been screaming about hitting them with the chair for so long, you don't need to read an open letter to Obama telling him to stop deploring the uncivil tone of politics and realize he is, in fact, a politician and should either do the job with all its indignities or, if he truly considers it beneath him, get the fuck out.

(And just between him and me, when you win the race he won in 2004, I can see where you think all it takes is statesmanship and decency to beat the GOP. What he doesn't seem to realize is that, in facing first Jack Ryan and then Alan Keyes, he wasn't running against the real GOP. He ran against the GOP's drunk uncle. He and Max Cleland should sit down and Max should explain to him what it's really like when they come after you. Maybe then he could lecture us about moral courage with some credibility. As it is, thank you for voting against cloture, Barack, and as for the rest of your career, try saying this shit behind the scenes and not to the pretty sparkly cameras, okay?)

And you don't need me to tell you that this speech by ol' Teddy was a thing of epic beauty and that watching him deliver it was one of the most moving experiences of my political life, and that I won't even quote it because you need to read it all in its thunder and glory...

[ProSense]

5. Thank you. It's perfect.

Kerry led a filibuster against a nominee nearly half the country dreaded, not opposed, dreaded. The voice of opposition before Kerry was demanding a no vote. Kerry came along and took a principled stand, giving voice in the Senate to all those cries of oppostion. And those who voted for cloture tuned out that voice, decided we, as Democrats, don't matter. That we are not worth the time and effort.

[saracat]

7. Right on! Well said.

[emulatorloo]

6. thanks for posting that -- n/t

[whometense]

8. Just thinking about Teddy's speech

brings tears to my eyes all over again.

I sure hope someone's got that in a video file. It's something I'd watch over and over, every time I needed some inspiration.

[emulatorloo]

9. It was amazing - I felt so proud of Senators Kerry and Kennedy

and felt so honored that they were fighting for us.

Did you see this piece over at firedoglake. . . .

http://firedoglake.blogspot.com/2006_01_29_firedoglake_archive.html#113867195405228177

<snip>

I want to take a moment to thank each and every person who took the time to participate in the comments section on this and other blogs to voice your frustration and your willingness to do something. It really took me by surprise, I have to say, to hear people so engaged and ready to mobilize. This amazing move to fight this battle came from the ground up. DC pundits are feeling threatened, and many have tried to dismiss this as John Kerry's cynical attempts to manipulate the grass roots, but that's a mistake. It was a groundswell that swept me and other bloggers up and called out for direction, and somehow John Kerry heard that and he stepped into a leadership position and he gave it to us. He gave our frustrations a focus, he offered us a chance to stand up and fight regardless of the likelihood of success, and that was all we asked. He validated our efforts and he let people know that their voices were being heard in spite of the timidity gripping many of his peers.

I frankly think the passion of the netroots community surprised him. For those who want to criticize him for not acting earlier or better, I do not think he had any reason to believe that this kind of support was extant or that we would have his back. He put his neck on the line over at Kos and the Huffington Post, not knowing what was going to come back. The outpouring of gratitude that came back to him for his efforts was extremely moving.

Next time he'll know. And so will we.

<snip>

on edit fix link

[ProSense]

10. That's a wonderful sentiment. n/t