Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Thread 2

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Thread 1

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x234580#234966

[Coexist]

1. thanks for keeping this up for us.

[stop the bleeding]

2. thank you n/t

opps meant to reply to original post:blush:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. Teamwork, baby!

[Coexist]

3. Okay Arlen - lets hear it.

[rodeodance]

4. well, specter man just say he supports Bush nominee

[Coexist]

6. I don't think the labor force in PA is going to be happy about that...

since Alito has such a consistant record voting for the Corporation over the Worker.

[Aviation Pro]

109. Central and Western PA....

...are all about guns and abortion (abolishing it). As long as they're allowed to hunt and keep their wimmen preggers they don't give a crap about corporations (that might explain why the unemployment and underemployment rate is so high in former steel country).

[rodeodance]

7. this is not the actual vote is it?

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. Bastard. Hypocrite. SOB.

So, will our Democrats Filibuster? We'll only know when someone starts talking and won't stop, right?

[Lasher]

13. Wrong, the cloture vote ends debate, if passed.

If cloture is not passed, you have a filibuster.

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Ah, OK. I'll never wrap my brain around Senate procedures.

I'm glad I have DUers to continually explain it.

[Lasher]

29. Me too!

[CrownPrinceBandar]

9. Did he just say "stressifies"?

He's been hanging out with * too long.

[Coexist]

12. LOL!

[Wordie]

10. Arlen failed to mention that both Scalia and Thomas, in their hearings,

said they supported stare decisis too, and then when they got on the court, didn't respect it.

Arlen just emphasized how Alito had said he would respect stare decisis in his hearing. Stare decisis is important in the abortion issue. The Roe v. Wade decision is considered settled law, a precedent. Respecting stare decisis means that a judge will respect that the law is a precedent, and not make decisions that overturn it.

[Coexist]

17. they keep omitting those little details -

just like they keep forgetting how they "smeared" Harriet Myers. I'll bet they made her cry private tears of outrage.

[VelmaD]

18. Don't confuse the issue with facts

*snort*

[rodeodance]

67. the sins of ommision

[helderheid]

11. I'm confused. C-Span says this is on C-Span 1 but C-Span 2 has

Specter talking about Alito. :shrug:

[in_cog_ni_to]

16. The lobbying reform hearing is on C-SPAN 1 and the ScAlito debate is

on C-SPAN 2. :hi:

[helderheid]

21. thank you my friend!

:hi:

[Skidmore]

39. Yeah, Santorum is on now trying to look like he's

above reproach.

[rodeodance]

78. says he spends his evenings with his kids.

[rfranklin]

105. Yes, playing with corpses of fetuses...

It's a fact!

[VelmaD]

14. They just don't get it...

we're not that stupid. We know what an "open-mind" on Roe really means. It means he doesn't consider it settled law and will overturn it if given a chance. :eyes:

[Marnieworld]

15. I Want a Filibuster!

Specter is a lying piece of shit. We have a president that disregards the Constitution. We have a nominee that supports this. Without checks and balances we have a dictatorship. If I know this then Specter must and yet his soul has been sold. Did he sell it to keep his committee leadership? What about the women who don't want to ask their husbands if they can have an abortion? What about the retarded people who don't want a broom handle up their ass when they work? What about the women and minorities that actually want an Ivy league education? What about the 10 year old girls who don't want to be strip searched? What about the Constitution and the framer's intent not to have a king? What about that there was no "unitary executive" theory before these fascists tried to assert that they were above the law?

It's more than policy differences Arlen. It's about maintaining the Democracy. If there is no filibuster the country is all but gone. It's all just pomp and circumstance and pretense. Congress and the court exist to rubber stamp the King's initiative. This is the time for extreme measures. If not now then when?

[Wordie]

20. F I L I B U S T E R ! (Oh, I hope they do!) eom

[Coexist]

22. I am going to get some stuff done during the rest of Specter's

thrilling speech. See ya' in a few.

[Wordie]

28. Well, it's good in a way that Specter doesn't seem that compelling.

(Or is it that I just don't like what he's saying?)

[in_cog_ni_to]

24. ME TOO! It's time to stop this crap. n/t

[Sydnie]

23. Specter - blah blah blah

That's all I am hearing here.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

27. Talking about televising the Supreme court...

yada yada... basically saying what he did yesterday in committee... just more long winded.

[keithjx]

25. any suggestion as to time?

Does anyone know if there is a suggestion as to what time the cloture vote will take place?
Thanks,
KJ

[Viva_La_Revolution]

31. They have scheduled debate for today through Friday...

and Frist said this morning that they would go into the night...

it's a crapshoot, basically.

[keithjx]

35. I guess I didn't expect much else.

Sucks to be stuck at work for the State so that I can't stream in the debates.
Thanks for the info, and for the threads.
KJ

[Wordie]

49. I thought I had heard something about Frist wanting to speed things up...

and call for cloture early. I don't really understand all this. Are there rules or traditions that govern these things?

[Wordie]

38. Will it even happen today?

Each speaker has 10 minutes to speak. I don't know how many are planning to speak, but I bet quite a few. As I understand it, they need 16 Senators to make a motion for a cloture vote.

Of course, I have heard that Frist really wants to rush this (the Republicans want to swear Alito in before the SOTU speech next week). So maybe there will be an effort by 16 Republicans today, even before everyone has had a chance to speak. I wish I understood the process better.

Does anyone have an idea of what the Republican game plan may be? Will they attempt cloture early on? Will they wait until X number of Senators have spoken?

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. S-N-O-R-E!

:boring::boring:

[VelmaD]

30. This is what we're reduced to...

when you can't ask the nominees about anything of substance...then we have to listen to Arlen Specter talk about his philosophy on seperation of powers and whether Congress should be able to actively defend laws it passes in the Supreme Court. Good lord and butter. :eyes:

[ticapnews]

32. When is debate scheduled to end?

I believe there are 30 hours of debate, 15 for each side, then the cloture vote. Are they doing 10 hours today, 10 tomorrow and 10 Friday? Are they going to try to cram 15 hours of debate into today and tomorrow? That would have them doing the cloture vote at about 3AM Friday morning. Sounds like the way things are done in the House lately... If they go 10-10-10 the vote would probably be scheduled for Friday night around 9PM.

[helderheid]

33. he's voting yes to move AWAY from partisanship??

:wtf: :crazy:

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. Oh PUHLEEEEEEEEEEZE! HE thinks it's unfortunate

the Senate is so polarized today? Give-me-a-FREAKIN'-BREAK! YOU PEOPLE, the repukes, CREATED that atmosphere! Live with it, ASSHOLE!:grr:

[kentuck]

37. A fish rots from the head first....

Where's the leadership?

[VelmaD]

36. For a republican to whine about the lack of bipartisanship...

in the Senate is a laugh riot. YOUR PARTY DID IT, ARLEN!

[Skidmore]

43. Session (R-the Twang of Democracy)

GaaaackL!!! I'm going back to zap my Lean Pocket. It's not quite done.

[Sydnie]

40. So, after all that, he still didn't say how he would vote, did he? n/t

[helderheid]

45. no he didn't.

[Wordie]

52. Specter said he supported Alito's confirmation at the beginning of his

speech. The segeway from general Senate business to the Alito debate was very quick...that's probably why you didn't notice.

[Sydnie]

56. I think he was still talking about at the committee level

If he wasn't still tetering, I think he would have ended his speech with a clear answer on how he was going to vote. He is in the hot seat for sure, either way.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

41. Slither Sessions up

[insane_cratic_gal]

44. Ugh I despise Sessions

he's got to be on my top 10 worse or the worst list!

[helderheid]

48. AAACCKK!!! That picture!!

[Skidmore]

76. That guy in your picture should be glad the snake decided

to go toward the light. That is a very disturbing picture.

[in_cog_ni_to]

42. Oh-G-D-NO! Not Sessions this early in the morning!

:puke:

[stevedeshazer]

46. Whiny little weasel Jeff Sessions up

Lying bastard

[Viva_La_Revolution]

53. Morning Steve!

:hi:

[stevedeshazer]

68. Howdy!!

:hi:

[ticapnews]

47. Sessions: Roberts and Alito = magnificent

"I think they will both be confirmed."

Well, Roberts already has been, you jackass.

Calls him "Justice Alito."

[Sparkly]

50. The hypocrisy of Republicans preaching about "independent judges"

is astounding. The Bush v. Gore ruling was outrageously partisan -- there IS no impartial, independent judiciary. If there were, we wouldn't be having these Alito hearings right now -- or any judges nominated by the Chimp.

[in_cog_ni_to]

55. We never hear them whining about the Bush v. Gore decision, do we?

They're all hypocrites, liars, and snakes. :grr:

[madokie]

51. well I know one thing jeff sessions drinks the kool-aid

and the goose walked on


edited: wrong asshole

[MadisonProgressive]

54. Dumb fuck Sessions just said the pledge of allegiance

pledges allegiance to the GOVERNMENT!

[oasis]

58. Bushland, Bushland uber alles. (eom)

[VelmaD]

57. Someone needs to explain to Sessions...

that the fact that judges get lifetime appointments is the EXACT reason we don't want Alito on the SC.

I suppose we should just count it progress that Sessions left his sheet at home for this little screed. Is there a single wedge issue he hasn't brought up?

I'm so tired of hearing Rethugs whine about activist judges when it is rethugs who are forever redefining the constitution to limit our rights as citizens.

[in_cog_ni_to]

63. What party was it that didn't like the FL. judge's Schiavo ruling and

called a special session of congress? Geezus. These people are unreal.

[Skidmore]

65. Sessions thinks that Alito joined CAP because he was

this little bumpkin in the halls of ivory who just wanted to belong.

[Skidmore]

59. Jeff Sessions (R-*'s lungs)

So far up *'s tush that he breathes for him.

[Wordie]

60. Sessions just LIED. Reid has said he never suggested that there be a

partisan vote on Alito. Reid corrected that after Sessions made the same claim yesterday, and here's Sessions, saying it again!

:puke:

[Sydnie]

66. He corrected Graham on it yesterday

Did Sessions say it yesterday too? or am I really confused now?

I heard their PC yesterday and Reid said that "Lindsey doesn't know what he is talking about".

[Wordie]

79. LOL...I'm having trouble keeping track of which creepy RWer says what.

They all seem to blend together in my mind...like the borg.

I'm sure you must be right and I stand corrected. Still, since Graham was corrected, it's still obnoxious that any one of them would repeat the lie.

[Sydnie]

82. Leahy is setting the record straight now

Finally, a voice to refute the lies!

[rodeodance]

69. I heard that stupid comment--little weasle man he is.

[Wordie]

84. Leahy just corrected that...very first thing. Good!

[Sydnie]

61. He was in the reserve for 8 years? I thought he got the special

4 months and out pass? :wtf: is Sessions talking about?

[ticapnews]

62. At this point, the bottom line

There are 16 confirmed NO votes and 13 confirmed YES votes. The magic number is 41 NO votes.
Also, the only person confirmed to have jumped the fence at this point is Ben Nelson, who will vote with the Republicans for Alito.

edit for correct math.

[rodeodance]

74. I think it is 41 is it not?

[rodeodance]

64. gawds-will that pimpy looking Sessons SHUT up

[madokie]

70. At least ok is not the only state with stupid congresscritters

I just couldn't put men on the end there

[rodeodance]

90. well, a weasel is a critter who sucks blood from chickens in the dark.

[Sydnie]

72. A younger Sessions

[in_cog_ni_to]

71. THANK G-D! He's almost finished. Geez...that was nauseating!

:puke:

[madokie]

75. Ole arlen had me ready to puke

then he is followed by jeffie boy. Shit :puke:

[Greeby]

73. It's Democratic hour now

:popcorn:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

77. Dems turn - Leahy first

:)

[rodeodance]

80. Leahy is repectfully telling Sessions what a fool he was for saying that

Reid was lobbying all Dems to say NO>

[rodeodance]

83. so Sessens--did you have your little weasel ears OPEN!

[seabeyond]

87. its that illegal spying they get to do, wink... n/t

[helderheid]

81. Taking them to task about the partisan vote talking point! Yeehaw!

[Sydnie]

85. He sounded a little bit like Byrd there for a minute

"ONLY 100!" go Patrick go!

Bringing up Meirs again too! :woohoo:

[in_cog_ni_to]

93. The repukes NEVER have a GOOD answer for the Miers withdrawal

and HOW IT CAME TO BE! WE know why she withdrew her nomination. They think we're as stoooopid as their sheeple supporters.

[Sydnie]

96. Just like Abramoff, they want us to share the blame. n/t

[VelmaD]

89. I just wish he would draw the parallel...

between rethugs whining about people slurring Alito's good name and the way the Rethugs slandered Max Cleland.

[Skidmore]

86. What is wrong if citizens lobby the Dems re: Alito?

What is Leahy trying to prove? Rs have lobbied for him?

[Sydnie]

92. I don't think that is what he was saying

I think he was saying that other members weren't attempting any arm twisiting to get him to vote one way or the other. Our contacting them, is not the same as being approached by other members to sway his vote.

[flpoljunkie]

110. Agree. Leahy saying this is a "vote of conscience" for Senators which

means Reid and Durbin are not whipping the vote--does not then look good for filibuster prospects.

[helderheid]

88. WOOT Bringing up Miers!

[Coexist]

91. thank you, Senator Leahy, for setting the record straight

on smearing, and wanting to know how a nominee will vote.

[Roland99]

94. What did he say about Miers?

[Wordie]

95. Leahy: President Bush buckled to pressure and withdrew Meirs...

Republican applied a litmus test, and said they needed to know more about Meirs, now those same Rs criticize the Dems for wanting to take a close look at Alito.

There are nearly 3 million Americans, but only 100 Senators make the decision...need to take a close look.

He made some good points there.

[Coexist]

97. He is SO Senatorial, is he not?

:patriot:

[Ovett]

98. nomination could tip the scales of the constitution

against the privacy rights of all Americans.

[helderheid]

100. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Ovett]

102. thanks! long time reader. nt.

[Coexist]

101. that Franklin quote is very popular lately

It has been on my fridge since the Patriot Act - my kids get excited when they see people quoting it because of that. My daughter's teacher discussed it the other day.

[insane_cratic_gal]

104. I've had it for over a year as a sig

To combat the Freeper shit "why do you hate America" and to dismiss the Patriot act too

They just don't get it, if our forefathers were alive now, they'd be marching on DC.

It's become so popular lately because of the NSA spying by request of the Bush Admin and those who defend the practices.

[KnaveRupe]

116. Wrong.

If our forefathers were alive today, * would have marched their powdered-wig-wearing asses off to Gitmo. "Revolutionaries" is just another word fer Terrorists!!

"Yee-Haw! Lemme hook these electrodes up to Jefferson's testicles!!

Madison - you get nekkid and pile on top of Hamilton and Washington and Franklin!

WooHoo!"

[helderheid]

99. What a breath of fresh air. n/t

[debbierlus]

103. It is so good we have been calling and faxing for the past week

I am so proud of everyone here....

We came out so strong before this accelerated process...at least we got our oppositional voice out.

:yourock:

I don't know what I would do without DU and all the other liberal patriotic sites.

They keep me sane!

[helderheid]

107. I love DU!

Donated $5 for the 5 years it's been around!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

106. Thread 3 is up!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x235518

[Reader Rabbit]

108. Don't Forget to Call the Senate

Just talked to Reid's office, begging the senator to filibuster this nomination. Was on hold for quite a bit, and the phone-answering guy seemed a bit tired. Don't let up on this, folks!

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[Avalux]

114. Can't lock - on the home page. Go here to continue discussion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x235518

[LiberalAndProud]

115. "mythical" little guy ???

???