Reid Statment on Conclusion of Alito testimony:

[Skinner]

Reid on Conclusion of Alito testimony:

“I have followed the Alito hearings closely. Democrats on the Committee did their jobs by asking tough questions about important issues: civil rights, privacy, environmental protections, the danger of unchecked presidential power and others. Unfortunately, Judge Alito’s responses did little to address my serious concerns about his 15-year judicial record.

“I have not forgotten that Judge Alito was only nominated after the radical right wing of the President's party forced Harriet Miers to withdraw. The right wing insisted that Justice O'Connor be replaced with a sure vote for their extreme agenda. Four days of hearings have shown that Judge Alito is no Sandra Day O'Connor.

“Senate Democrats will meet next week to discuss the nomination.”

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Well now...THAT sound encouraging!

Filibuster anyone????

[Roland99]

"Alito is no Sandra Day O'Connor"...now...DO THE RIGHT THING, HARRY!

F I L I B U S T E R ! ! ! !

[goclark]

9. What is the worst that can happen if they filibuster? nt

[Roland99]

14. Repukes threaten the "nuclear option" which, imo, will sink them in '06

The Dems need to SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE SENATE until Alito is withdrawn and a true moderate with a proven record and willingness to answer questions is selected. Also, preferably someone w/o links to the BFEE.

[stray cat]

34. Do you really think the nuclear option will sink repubs?

I don't think it will. The media and repubs will spin it as the only way to deal with desparate whiny dems.

[Roland99]

39. Their overall approval ratings are tanking more than Dems.

Abramoff
DeLay
Spying
Iraq

Dean needs to become a more prominent voice and he needs to start spreading a message of solutions and not just that the Repubs are corrupt.

[NYC Liberal]

75. 66% OPPOSE institutiing the so-called 'nuclear option. 66 percent.

It will sink them.

[lyonn]

89. Wrong, repubs don't think Dems are whinny

I hear people say to me that they would have voted for Kerry had he spoken out. They figured he was saying and backing the same things bush was doing and why change presidents during a war if there is very little difference. We hear all the time that the Dems have no agenda. The agenda has got to be clear and to the point. No game playing.

Fillibuster, things can't get any worse folks. We have lost the House, Senate and Courts. Yeah, right, let's be cautious some more.

[mom cat]

67. Amen to that.

[goclark]

I hope this means what I hope this means nt

[neverevergivein]

5. It better n/t

[jsamuel]

2. Thanks Reid :) - Now people need to call their senators instead of threa

threatening them! CALL THEM AND TELL THEM TO FILIBUSTER!

[nickinSTL]

29. Well, calling my Sens would do no good...

Talent and Bond are sure votes in support of * and Alito...

I did send them an email telling them to oppose, but I'm sure it'll have no effect.

[JuniorPlankton]

36. Calling my senators doesn't do much either

They are Kerry and Kennedy and it would be preaching to the choir. :)

:thumbsup:

[jsamuel]

40. Well, I have Lincoln and Pryor, so I have some work cut out for me

;)

[AbbyR]

49. I've written to each of them twice...

and I saw their local reps yesterday and said something to each of them. I just wish I could think of something more to do that might really make a difference.

[mom cat]

65. Make sure that everyone you know does the same!

[ktowntennesseedem]

95. I'll have to contact Frist and Alexander.

I'm sure they'll listen closely to what I have to say.

:sarcasm:

[OnionPatch]

42. True and I'm the same here

I have Boxer and Feinstein. But still, it's doesn't hurt to let them know you are on their side, that their constituency supports their actions if they decide to filibuster. And just maybe some support will give them a little more "uumph" in the spine? :)

[connecticut yankee]

45. I have Joe Lieberman

'nuff sed

[Cocoa]

86. I'd contact Lieberman for sure

my dem senator is Bill Nelson, and I already have three calls into his office.

The Lieberman and Nelson types are the ones where pressure is most worth doing.

[dolly lanna]

88. Yes, call them again

[AndyTiedye]

93. Lieberman is Pro-Choice

He might be presuaded to oppose Alito for that reason.

[carnie_sf]

94. Didn't Lieberman just say

that a filibuster was an option re: Scalito?

[mod mom]

46. I've already sent letters + calls but I have Dewine + Voinovich.

Not much hope for me. :(

[PeacePal]

105. Call anyway... Voinovich, especially, likes to stay in office!

He may decide to run statewide for something else again, Pryor, too for that matter. But Voinovich HAS on occasion - albeit rarely - stood up for his constituency against the GOP police. Ohio college students, who will be voting for YEARS, and there are lots of them, DON'T like back-alley abortions.

Never give up, although I know it's tempting. I'm calling AGAIN.

[jdadd]

106. Same here!

Nuff said...:argh:

[tavalon]

58. Call them anyway

They need the back up support.

[Straight Shooter]

60. Even the choir needs encouragement and support sometimes.

Call them anyway, let them know they're doing a great job. I envy you your Senators. I've got Wishy-Washy Wyden and Greed-is-good Gordon.

[mom cat]

62. Those are mine too, but hearing your support is important. They

need encouragement and need a big fire under them to twist some reluctant arms.

[Seedersandleechers]

72. Lucky you...for having two very fine Senators to represent you.

[tishaLA]

76. I called DiFi

and she'd BETTER listen to me.

[acmavm]

96. Mine are Hagel and BEN (I'M REALLY A REPUBLICAN) NELSON

.

[0007]

52. Know what ya mean, mine are John Cornyn and Kay

Bailey Hutchinson

[justabob]

107. me too :( nt

[mom cat]

63. Send then another. Are either of them in tight races this year. Let

them know that you will remember in November.

[nickinSTL]

97. actually, yes...

Talent is up against former state auditor and gubernatorial candidate Claire McCaskill, who barely lost to Blunt...and is leading Talent narrowly in the latest polls.

Not a bad idea to hit him again on that...not that it'll matter.

[Lorien]

66. Silence implies consent n/t

[nickinSTL]

98. and if you had READ my post...

you'd know I WASN'T silent...I DID send both Senators emails.

[electropop]

71. I've written mine, but I don't expect much...

George Allen and John Warner.

[pat_k]

80. A critical effect: They can't say "No one in my district opposes" nt

[sojourner]

104. Even so...call! I've heard they delete emails without reading them.

We have to be strong enough to register our sentiments even with those who oppose our goals. If you don't -- then you've assented to their activities....call! If enough people do this, they will ALL start to realize that a substantial number of people are onto their game. It CAN make a difference.

[ananda]

54. Hutchison and Cornyn?

Look, I've emailed them before and all I get is a standard thank you response.

You know they're gonna vote for Alito regardless.

I hate my senators and my governor.

Sue

[nickinSTL]

109. Here's the response I got from Senator Talent (R-MO)

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on the nomination of Judge Samuel
Alito to the Supreme Court. I appreciate the time you have taken to share your
views with me, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

The President nominated a person he believes has the integrity, legal judgment
and record of accomplishment to serve on the nation's highest court. Judge
Alito has had a distinguished career of service and he has extensive legal
experience. His record needs to be thoroughly vetted during the confirmation
process, but he appears to be another outstanding nominee.

My belief is that the Senate should exercise a check rather than a veto in
judicial nominations. I vote to confirm nominees if they are qualified and
competent, and if their jurisprudence reflects a widely held view of American
law. Basically this means that if a nominee has enjoyed reasonable success in a
field of law or legal education over a number of years, I will vote to confirm
him or her, unless there is credible evidence that the nominee is dishonest or
has a jurisprudence that is outside of any of the mainstreams of American law.
My view recognizes that the legal community is split over certain
jurisprudential issues and that a nominee may be qualified for the bench even if
I do not agree with his positions in every respect.

My hope is that the Senate will proceed expeditiously to a fair hearing and vote
on this nomination. To the Senate's credit, the nomination of Chief Justice
John Roberts was handled with respect and civility, and it is my hope is that
the Senate will treat Judge Alito in the same way, avoiding personal attacks
during the confirmation process.

Again thank you for contacting me. I will continue to monitor the situation
because I strongly believe that the President's nominee should receive an
up-or-down vote.

Thank you for your email. To contact me on this or any other subject, please go
to http://talent.senate.gov/Contact/default.cfm

Sincerely,

Senator Jim Talent

[babylonsister]

I was of the mistaken impression this would all be over by

this afternoon. Phew! Thanks for Reid's statement, Skinner. I do believe we all have some more calling and writing to do!

[quiet.american]

3. Hmn.... sounds promising....

:dem: :popcorn:

[FreedomAngel82]

7. Yes

Reid comes through again. Keep the pressure though!

[RandomKoolzip]

4. Hey, they tried.

(sigh) Oh well....keep the fight going on other fronts.

[Edgewater_Joe]

6. PUSH YOUR SENATORS, PEOPLE!

Let's make THE RAW STORY wrong (unless that's just a planted story) -- MAKE THE DEMOCRATS FILIBUSTER THIS IDIOT!

[bigtree]

8. It should be clear from Sen. Reid this is an ongoing process

that requires us to stay engaged on all fronts until its conclusion.

[blm]

12. So, who's pushing alarms to divide the left? GOP's tactics never change

much, do they?

[bigtree]

16. I'd like to think that these folks throwing in the towel are novices

but some of them are old enough to know better . . .

[blm]

44. The planting of the "no filibuster" story is the tactic I reference.

But, that's cuz they are familiar with political exploitation of rumor.

[bigtree]

56. it's been quite a day for newbies spreading doubt and defeat

some oldies too.

[KittyWampus]

10. I support Reid's decision, whatever it may be. I honestly trust that man.

he is the real McCoy.

[Wordie]

59. Me too. I don't think he's made a false move, so this is encouraging.

Recommended, although I suppose that goes without saying...

[FreedomAngel82]

73. I agree

I've doubted in the past with what he was going to do or up to but now I trust him. I think this is why he came out in favor of Miers. He knew she was a smoke screen for this battle.

[pberq]

11. Thanks Skinner - I needed to hear that

[MoJoWorkin]

13. Get on the Horn people

I will have to call Senators that are not mine, as both mine are Repukes; but NOW IS THE TIME!

[Catrina]

23. I think we should call Republicans also. They are not in very good shape

these days and things are going to get worse for them.

They need to start hearing from the masses, instead of the fringe elements they normally hear from. Flood them with calls, we pay their salaries too. They live in a bubble created for them by the rabid rightwing. Many of them are going to need moderate votes next year if they expect to overcome the tsunami of indictments of their colleagues expected from the various scandals that are unfolding every day.

Pressure them now, they are wounded, no matter what lies the MSM continues to tell and some of them may just need a push to show they are not on board with Bush's agenda.

My biggest concern with Alito is his opinion on presidential powers, and on civil rights issues. That is what we need to stress. Both Democrats and Republicans can agree on those issues. Abortion is a divisive issue, and Repubs don't dare to alienate their base. But a clear constitutional issue such as the powers Alito believes the president should have (remind them who may be president in 2008) is a uniting issue for all true Americans, imo.

[FreedomAngel82]

74. Yes

I wrote both of my senators (Frist and Alexander) and really pressured on the spying and right to privacy since this is something we can all relate to and not just about Roe v Wade.

[depakid]

15. OK, Harry. Time to prove your worth as a leader

You let the Republicans- and your DINOs play you like a FOOL last year, when you allowed Owens, Prior and Brown onto the bench. That must have been embarrassing.

The Dems have all of the issues on their side- coruption, abuse of power, the rights of women, the disabled- in short- ordinary Americans. Frame this right and hold your party together, and you may come out as majority leader next year.

Punt, and you're pretty well set to lose the midterm elections.

[Horse with no Name]

17. Well Skinner--sounds like it is time to dust off the Activists eh?

Some planned letter writing and campaigning?

[leftchick]

18. I am going to have a fucking coronary before then

[EFerrari]

19. Thanks, Skinner. Harry Reid nails it again.

:kick:

[sasha031]

20. thanks comforting news for once

[rodeodance]

21. umm.. this short statement really does not say much. they will meet is

all.

[tex-wyo-dem]

25. True, but I'm sure he doesn't want to tip his hand too much...

of course, maybe I'm being overly optimistic.

[tex-wyo-dem]

22. Tom Oliphant on Franken today stated...

that Alito's refusal to be open and honest with answering Dem questions was reason enough to filibuster. Basically, we know little to nothing more about the nominee than before the hearings and the risk is too high not to take action.

I happen to fully, 110% agree.

[Rosco T.]

32. I see Harry plays pool as well as poker...

Call the shot.
Take careful aim.
Take your time.
Bang.

[katinmn]

24. Great!

Gives time for Americans to get caught up and weigh in.

[deminks]

26. Thanks, Harry!

:toast:




PS: :evilgrin:

[Gronk Groks]

27. Come on Harry...Filibuster the sucker...Just do it !!!!

"It is time Harry; to kick butt and take names of those who won't Filibuster this obviously far right judicial nominee. I've been one of your cheerleaders here at Democratic Underground, don't let me down."

I sent this to Harry Reid congressional office on 1-12-06 @ 1:15 PM PST.
Send something to your congress critter TODAY !!!

[eyepaddle]

28. Right on!

I've said it before. I was a little lukewarm on Reid becoming minority leader, but damn if he hasn't proved me wrong.

This doesn't guarantee a fillibuster, but Reid is a Senator to be reckoned with.

[4dsc]

30. Filibuster!!

That is all that left to do!

[KharmaTrain]

31. What We Know Is What We Didn't Want To Know...

Senator Reid nails it...after 4 days this dude not only hasn't answered the questions a vast majorities of Americans have about his qualifications for such a position, but confirmed our worst fears of this man. His right wing agenda was exposed for all to see and he not only couldn't refute a background that obviously would influence any decision but he rubbed it in the Senate Democrat's faces.

This man isn't a "great jurist" or "superstar" (Orin Hatch :puke: came up with that misnomer), he's the type of judge you dread to run into for a fair trial...especially if he's had a bad day. You can see this man lacks any real compassion and his world has been in a bubble of right wing suck and blow.

Looks like even Joementum realizes the insults that are being thrown not only at the Democrats, but the intelligence of every American. While I really didn't want to see the Fillibuster option put into play...I'm on board...LET'S ROLL!!!

[Kurovski]

33. K&R, sounds good! (nt)

[understandinglife]

35. Filibuster must happen.

Peace.

[MadJohnShaft]

37. Forcing the repubs to internally debate the nuclear option = good thing

[Dr Fate]

38. What's to discuss? Either you fillibuster or screw your base again. n/t

n/t

[jsamuel]

41. They may be able to vote him out if enough Repubs cross over

they may be testing the waters on that side as well...

[Dr Fate]

51. The republicans who are not black-mailed via wire-taps?

Good luck on that one.

[Wordie]

61. Is there any chance that many Repubs will vote no? Somehow I doubt it.

If anyone has an analysis I would really like to read it. (It may be too soon though.)

[Wordie]

78. Some additional thoughts:

Although I doubt it, but it would be a fine thing to see. Could Rep senators be convinced by a rash of communications by their Democratic constituents that their seats are in danger if they vote in such a RW activist SC judge? A lot of noise about the hypocrisy of any positions against "activist judges" only when those judges are centrist or to the left might be in order here.

Sen. Specter has spoken frequently about his concern about the judiciary overruling the intent of Congress, but his demeanor in the hearings doesn't seem to indicate that he has these sorts of concerns about Alito. Yet his statements regarding the power of the executive in the case of the spy scandal indicate that there might be some chance that he would recognize the threat that Alito might pose. Specter said this on Face the Nation:

"I beieve that presidential power will be very, very important" during this week's hearings, he said. "You have what appears to be a conflict between the president;s claim of executive war powers to eavesdrop without a warrant, a conflict with what Congress has done on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. And I think it is a fair inquiry, and I intend to press the question with Judge Alito as to how he would approch these issues on a jurisprudential base."

Has enough of a question about Alito's record and statements on this issue been raised? As I said earlier, I really doubt it in the case of Specter, but it would be good to question him about it.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

43. His Statements Are Framed Better and Better With Each One!

I don't think I could find anything in it that I wish had been stated differently.

[grace0418]

47. Here's what I just wrote to my senators...

Dear Senator Obama,

I sit here absolutely terrified about the future of our country. The balance of power is being hijacked by an illegitimate president and his right-wing base. If Samuel Alito is confirmed to sit on the Supreme Court, I fear that this country will never recover.

To quote a friend of mine on a popular political message board, "o even be considering installing a Supreme Court judge nominated by a fraudulent president, not to mention fraudulent GOP majority in both houses of congress, is way beyond absurd -- it's surrealistic, and just damned wrong."

I couldn't agree more, Senator Obama, and I'm sure you too see the implications if this nomination is allowed to continue. I trust that you will be opposing this nomination, but I also need you to do everything in your power to shut down this vote. Cajol. Convince. Fillibuster. Please do this! Now is not the time for sane politicians to be worrying about their careers, because their careers will be irrelevant if the right-wing is allowed to make our democracy a dictatorship. Sane Americans everywhere are counting on you.

[lyonn]

90. Hey, real good letter Grace!

[grace0418]

103. Thank you lyonn!

And thanks to the DUer who provided the awesome quote. I can't remember where I found it now but I thank them.

[Strawman]

48. Encouraging.

He's seriously pissed over that Miers nomination.

[Rainscents]

50. I callled Reid's office this morning and said...

We can NOT have Alito on the bench!!!

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. Californians have got to get to work on Feinstein.

And I hope Reid puts pressure on her as well.

[spanone]

55. I remember Harriet Miers also. We must demand a voice in SP.

[longship]

57. Senate Dem FAX numbers

I posted an up-to-date list here.

Burn those FAX machines up.

on edit: fixed link.

[proud patriot]

64. I really like Reid

He has surprised me with great leadership .

[WinkyDink]

68. Well, MY Senators are Specter and Santorum!

I'll save myself the quarter! HAHA!

[Rainscents]

69. You can call other Senators!!! I have been!!!

Especially, Biden, Reid and DiFI, Boxer!!! I even called Clinton and Dean!!! I been very busy little caller!!! lol

[mopinko]

84. call em anyway

especially specter. he once had a shred of decenecy. he may be on his way to meet his maker. who knows.

[liberalla]

70. It's definitely time to

Filibuster !!!

This is it. If not now, WHEN?

[debbierlus]

77. Call your Senators - even if you don't think it will do any good

Because, if ENOUGH people did it, it would do good. If every single democrat in a red state called the office of their Senators, it would make a difference. I wrote every friggin one of the Democratic Senators and demanded they Filibuster.

I am going to call ALL of them NEXT WEEK.

And, I will call every day.

Don't let defeatism stop you.

[pat_k]

79. Is the US a dictatorship or a constitutional democracy? Alito doesn't know

When Biden questioned Alito on the extent of executive power, the gist of his question was this:

If the men and women in Congress, as representatives of the people, had passed a resolution that the United States MUST NOT invade Country X, could the President lawfully and constitutionally order an attack on Country X?

For any sane person, the answer would be "Absolutely Not!"

Shockingly, Alito asserted that he did not know whether or not the President had such authority: that he would have to wait until he was presented with a specific case to figure it out... more in earlier post

Thanks to liveoaktx for posting the clip. The key question is at key question at about 09:45.

Let's say we didn't want the President to invade Iran. The administration argues that we could pass a resolution saying tht "Do Not Invade Iran. You Have No Authority to Invade Iran", and the President could -- the next day -- invade Iran.

...So it is a really kind of important whether or not you think the President does not need the authorit of the United States Congress to wage a war when there is NOT an imminent threat against the United States. And that's my question.

The exchange is so outrageous, some might be sketical that it actually happened. The tape cannot be denied!

[savemefromdumbya]

Give em hell Harry

Harry is in tune with what is going on - thankfully!

[savemefromdumbya]

81. Give em hell Harry

Harry is in tune with what is going on - thankfully!

[sellitman]

82. SHUT IT DOWN HARRY! n/t

[samhsarah]

83. kick. nt

[Mossadeq]

85. WOW

The Dems said they wouldn't filibuster unless the nomination was extreme. And Now Reid is using the words "EXTREME AGENDA" ...perfect.

[AX10]

87. Give em' Hell Harry!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

45 "Kicks": One for each member of the Senate Democratic Caucus!

:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:
:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:
:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:
:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:
:kick::kick::kick::kick::kick:

[emald]

91. going to be a long week for me, STAND UP DEM'S

I'm skeptical, but some horribly tortured hope still remains that this GWBushit nominated POS won't be confirmed.

[Hyernel]

92. F I L I B U S T E R ! ! !

I consider a filibuster of Alito a defense action. protecting the American people.

[LynneSin]

99. Reid is so damn smart and I love this guy

We ain't going to hear about the filibuster until the voting actually starts!

[oc2002]

100. Senate Dems and supporters here need to get the ball rolling on Fillibuste

WHAT DO WE WANT!

..FILLIBUSTER!

WHEN DO YOU WANT IT?

..NOW!

[lonestarnot]

101. filibuster tactics had better be included in their discussions.

[kpete]

102. Thanks

Hope is eternal...

[fembot63]

108. Call Your Senators All You Want, they're powerless....

prepare for a further roll back of your rights, people. Alito will be confirmed. I don't think the dems have the balls to launch a filibuster. I'd be shocked if they did. Unfortunately we're stuck with this racist, corporatist, chauvanist fuck. I may have to move to Canada after all. Thank the goddess that I have a passport.