Official Senate Debate – Alito Nomination – Day 2 – Thread 2

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Thread 1 –
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x245795

[CottonBear]

1. Who's voting yes and no from DailyKos (updated daily):

http://www.dailykos.com/

Alito Debate Open Thread
by Armando
Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:44:01 AM PDT
Day 2. The rest of the schedule, via PFAW (Debate streamable here:


12:00-1:00pm - Democratic time (Inouye, Harkin, Bingaman and Lincoln);

1:00-2:00pm - Republican time;

2:00-3:00pm - Democratic time (Lieberman, Salazar and Schumer);

3:00-4:00pm - Republican time;

4:00-5:00pm - Democratic time (Carper and Levin);

5:00-6:00pm - Republican time;

6:00-7:00pm - Democratic time

Today's session could go later into the evening if there are additional Senators wanting to speak tonight.


Here's the latest on the whip count, using C-SPAN's numbers (put your updates, with links, in comments and we'll add 'em):

(* denotes added today)

Dems voting "No"
Baucus (MT)
Biden (DE)
Bingaman (NM)*
Boxer (CA)
Clinton (NY)
Dodd (CT)
Durbin (IL)
Feingold (WI)
Feinstein (CA)
Harkin (IA)
Inouye (HI)*
Kennedy (MA)
Kerry (MA)
Kohl (WI)
Leahy (VT)
Lincoln (AR)*
Mikulski (MD)
Murray (WA)
Nelson, Bill (FL)
Obama (IL)
Reed (RI)
Reid, H. (NV)
Salazar (CO)
Schumer (NY)
Stabenow (MI)
Wyden (OR)

Dems leaning "No"
TBA

Dems voting "Yes"
Johnson, Tim (SD)* (following the Daschle "winning" formula of going along to, erm, get along. "Smart" move Tim.)
Nelson, Ben (NE)

GOoPers voting "No"

None yet.

Independent


Jeffords* will vote NO on Alito.

(This list will be updated regularly)

[radio4progressives]

5. You said Jeffords wll vote No on Alito, i missed that report..

is it posted on du? if not do you have a link?

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

11. Here Ya Go Radio....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x248051

[radio4progressives]

21. excellent news... we so needed that.. thanks n/t

[BrendaStarr]

105. Democratic Senators represent more Americans than Republicans

I heard it on NPR (so don't give me credit for the idea).

So I made a chart and put it in my ftp space.

http://members.aol.com/bushliedpepldied/demsvreps.html

It's really does work out.

I suggest we tell everyone we know and help our people grow those backbones.

If they don't have our active support then how can we expect them to stand up for us?

And please spend 1 hour a day in a mixed forum or other venue where a mixed (not always liberal) group is going to hear, read you, if you want to win this year.

http://brst/livejournal.com/ <--Common Sensibility

[whometense]

17. He has it up on his website

as well: http://www.jeffords.senate.gov/~jeffords/press/06/01/012606alitovote.html

[radio4progressives]

23. Oh No Wonder! He's from Vermont! Thinking about moving to Vermont...

if it weren't so damn cold there!

[whometense]

40. I LOVE Vermont.

Lived there for eight wonderful years.

Gotta be able to tolerate the 5-month winter, though. ;-)

Vermont's four seasons:

Summer (June-August)
Fall (September-October)
Winter (November-March)
Mud (April-May)

[Robeysays]

arizona's seasons

nov - feb..............spring
march - october........summer

:D

[wicket]

74. Where bouts?

My family runs a dairy farm in the Quechee lakes area :)

[whometense]

138. Lovely place.

Tough way to make a living! One of my brothers-in-law was a dairy farmer in Shelburne and Randolph in the 70's.

I lived all over the state at different times - Burlington, Bennington, Brattleboro, Stowe, Middlebury. The big cities!

[wicket]

141. OMG, our families probably know each other

We were all born at the hospital in Randolph :)

It certainly is a tough way to make a living, my Grampa is 76 and still running it. 'Course it doesn't help that ol' Dubya cut his VA pension early last year :grr: Bernie Sanders is helping to try get it reinstated. I love Bernie! :)

[whometense]

142. Bernie is the GREATEST.

He will be a stellar addition to the senate!!!

[wicket]

145. I'm so psyched!

He's going to tear the Senate up!!! (I mean that in a good way of course :) ) Give 'em hell Bernie!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. Ugh! Lott is up

mr helmet hair himself

[Kurovski]

4. Phyliss Schlafly's dream guy.

[tridim]

6. Translation: Checks and Balances are bad mmmkay. n/t

[Lasher]

14. So, don't do checks and balances, mmmkaay?

Good one, Stewie!

[Skidmore]

8. Yammers away. One of those guys who feels he needs

to fill dead time with prattle. Will kiss up to anyone for any reawon as long as he gets his.

[Kurovski]

20. He's got that "glad-handing chattiness" down pat.

[Sydnie]

3. Thanks Viva n/t

[adigal]

7. Shock!! Lott is FOR Alito!!

I'm always shocked when a Republican Senator supports the Executive branch, as they are usually so independent-minded and concerned about the balance of powers among the three branches. No??

[Skidmore]

9. Shall I get the smelling salts?

[adigal]

10. Please - I'm feeling faint!

Lott thinks Alito is one of the most qualified justices EVER!!!

[VP505]

38. Wonder what

qualifications he's talking bout cause there ain't no explicit qualifications in the Constitution for a Justice to the SCOUS.

[Kurovski]

12. Somebody open up a window...

[Lasher]

13. Why doesn't he just wear a hat?

Or shave his head? Or put a lampshade on his head?

[Kurovski]

19. A bucket would be the best for his bone structure.

[adigal]

15. Senator Lott - bringing up the election again

and that GWB said he would nominate people who are strict constructionists. Who would be surprised that Bush would nominate someone like Alito.

I guess the Republicans have decided that they are going to rally the 48% who REALLY voted for Bush. The repubs might not want to keep bringing up that elections have consequences, as we have an election right around the corner.

[bettyellen]

27. reconstructionist, sorry that unitary theory makes him an activist judge

who is reinterpeting the constitution.

[Kurovski]

16. Now we're silly for being 'offended" by George's choice.

We're SOOO foolish!

Lott just said "Democrat" in an that insulting, ungrammatical manner.

Time to redouble my Lott insults. :evilgrin:

[Kurovski]

143. Lott called Mrs. Alito "A man of character and integrity."

Just caught this on second listening.

He fumbled his pro-nouns or something, quite funny. well, to me anyway.

[The Witch]

18. His wife thought he was nuts for watching the hearings.

I think I'm nuts for listening to HIM.

[Sydnie]

22. I'll give you a "book of daniel" amen to that!

He wants to build that new porch, so he can shovel blivet** right off it! :rofl:

[Kurovski]

24. NOW he's talking about "getting along"! NOW he's concerned!

Wasn't he the prick who declared political war against us on the steps of the Senate?

Take a hike, bucket hayd.

[The Witch]

25. Again about hurting the nominee's feelings.

I'm about ready to read my latest Last Midnight post to every senator until one of them decides to read it.

[LoKnLoD]

26. It's not fair? It's not fair!?!?!?!?!

Fuck you Lott, since when have the Republicans treated the Minority Democrats fairly since you came into power. Take your FAIR and shove it up your ass!!!

:rant:

[Kurovski]

28. ElizabethTaylor's ex-husband is up.

What's he gonna do...?

[Sydnie]

30. The truck driver one or the actor one?

oh ... the lousy senator one. I'd rather hear one of the dead actor ones, or even the truck driver one than this one. :shrug:

[Kurovski]

31. Senator Richard Burton.

The great Sir could certainly out drink any senator.

[Sydnie]

33. And still be brighter than some others while sober. n/t

[Kurovski]

29. Warner votes...yes

And "STRONGLY", too.

At least he made it fast.

[Kurovski]

32. C'mon Senator Droopy Dog, don't let us down

[dchill]

34. OOH - Lieberman has problems...

with this nomination. :shrug:

[Kurovski]

35. Lieberman votes no.

All the same and true to form, he's doing an awful lot of butt-smooching.

Lieberman: "Dear Sam, it's not YOU, it's ME."

[radio4progressives]

36. I was just watcing Senator Durbin and Congress Woman Pelosi on C-Span 1

speaking to the National Press Club, and I though much of it was cogent, once again our dear Minority Whip, like so many other times with so many of our electet officals in our own party, speak from both sides of their mouth in response to straightforward question.

The question before her was regarding President's authority to ignore the laws concering Domestic Spying, if it broke the law. And her response is "We just don't know" and then went on to essentially talk about this is being the quesion that has to be answered during the course of the up coming hearings.

Before you jump all over me insisting this is what she had to say, i will argue no, she did NOT have to say anything of the kind. She could say, that in HER OPINION, it seems to clear in HER reading of the Constitution, that president B*sh, indeed BROKE THE LAW while at the same time, she can the assert the caveat that it will be definitively determined by others in a hearing.

This goes to the core of the problem Dems have, that i can see they're trying hard to fix, but i guess for these elected officials, it appears to be beyond their scope of capability.

[Sydnie]

37. WE NEED to check the thread and act

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=249176&mesg_id=249176

Byrd is NOT a given vote for us.

[The Witch]

39. If you are a WVA person you NEED to call Byrd NOW

important important

[Sydnie]

41. Byrd up now!

Please don't let us be too late!!!!

[The Witch]

42. Kennedy is going to regret yielding.

>.<

[Sydnie]

43. Ok, WV people was appalled by the hearings

I am on pins and needles here!

[ScreamingMeemie]

45. Me too...outraged which WAY?????

[The Witch]

46. sigh.

I hate to say it, but we deserve a little of this.

[Sydnie]

47. Called them outrage and a disgrace

Not form letters on either side of the aisle. handwritten letter on lined paper and stationary. the sort of letters people write sitting at their kitchen table. Made for TV anticts that accompanied the hearings. (tears maybe?)

[ScreamingMeemie]

44. God I hope the reams of letters you have read are anti Alito.

Please, Sen Byrd...Please.

[ClayZ]

48. Oh shit!

He is not a happy camper!

[ScreamingMeemie]

49. He is doing what he does so well...Chastising Everyone.

Get on with it....

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. Is he slamming on the Media for playing up the Mrs Alito thing?

Nope, he's defending her...

[ClayZ]

101. He has been duped!

[The Witch]

51. Byrd fell for the croc tears.

Sigh.

[Wordie]

55. He was also criticizing the "klieglights" of the media in focusing on them

[Kurovski]

52. Another thread has pointed out that 90% of WV is FOR Alito

or rather, those who called Senator byrd's office.

Also pointed out is the fact that Alito is the kind of corporate favoring justice who would likely rule against coal mine safety.

I'm not going to go too hard on Byrd, his constituents are hopelessly ill-informed. If they vote for Alito becuase his wife squeezed out some moisture and made her lip tremble like Little Nell...they are beyond help.

It will be nice if he votes in favor of protecting the Constitution regardless.

Or maybe I will go hard on the ol' Byrd...

[VP505]

62. Isn't it amazing

how people will support someone who will work so hard AGAINST their best interest.

[gkhouston]

65. well, we don't know how many people that 90% was

nor how many of them were individual citizens, as opposed to trolls who made multiple calls pretending to be different people.

[Kurovski]

80. Actually, the staffer said it was West Virginia residents.

We can question the staffer or the DU poster , I guess.

But Byrd seems to bear this out.

[gkhouston]

86. yes, but it could be 50 people living in WV

who called several times per day, pretending to be different people.

[Kurovski]

109. Maybe. But caller ID would weed some of those out.

At any rate, it seems Byrd also agrees with that view, despite how the calls and letters came to be.

[Kurovski]

71. Emotion over sense.

I think many just don't understand how the process works.

How their daily lives are affected on every level by these things.

Molly Ivins once wrote a great column about how everything ends up being affected by those whom we vote for and whom we permit to hold positions of political power.

[The Witch]

53. SENATOR! Who in this room has MENTIONED Mrs. Alito?

WHO's exploited her!?

[Sydnie]

54. Ouch .. fighting to maintain her dignity

blasting the media

Something is wrong with the process and we (the senate) have the power to fix it.

[gkhouston]

56. if they confirm Alito

the Senate won't have the power to wipe its own ass. Wake up, Senator.

[Wordie]

57. OMG...sounds like he'll vote "NO"!!!

[ScreamingMeemie]

58. I don't know...he's not done chastising yet....come on already!!!!

[Wordie]

68. He criticized Dems style...he criticized Reps for not asking adequate

questions, which would be an unpardonable sin in Byrd's eyes...but you're right, nothing definitive yet.

[Mass]

59. I would like to believe it, but I dont think so, sadly.

[gkhouston]

60. given what he's said about the imperial presidency in the past,

I was shocked by the rumor that he might vote "Yes".

[Mass]

Given what he said on liberal judges in the past and his vote record

on this issue, I was not shocked, but I am always surprised by how DUers are surprised each time Byrd votes like that. How many times will it take before people understand who Byrd is.

[dchill]

64. He will...

if he remembers that pamphlet in his pocket.

[Wordie]

75. In the meantime, we wait in suspense. I can't take it! eom

[Mass]

83. No suspense - He will vote YES.

I know it is hard for DU to accept, but once again, look at his track record - No surprise.

[dchill]

96. Then he may as well...

throw that pamphlet away.

[gkhouston]

100. you know, Byrd is older than Egypt,

but I hope he lives on a long, long time so he can witness the damage he's done today.

[dchill]

112. Yup.

[Sydnie]

61. Blasting the repugs for not asking meaningful questions

refusing to speak the truth while smiling, thus accomplishing nothing.

Framers wanted the Senate to be a serious check on the nominee.

Dignity of both the process and the nominee.

both, politcal policies exhibit a take no prisioners attitude.

Listing off the subjects that should be debated - in the Senate.

Americans believe that if they can't get congress to address an issue, you need to take it to the court.

"If you can't change the law, change the judge".

[ScreamingMeemie]

63. If you can't change the law...change the judge...

This kind of thinking is a a grave misinterpretation....

[ScreamingMeemie]

67. Now he's saying, in a perfect world, this decision would have little to do

with party affiliations....

[ScreamingMeemie]

69. I am a Senator who takes this Constitution seriously....

[ScreamingMeemie]

70. I refuse to tow the line when it comes to Supreme Court Justices..

I will make up my own mind.

[ScreamingMeemie]

73. I don't lobby easily....I prefer conservative judges...

....

[ScreamingMeemie]

76. Just came up on screen...he's voting yes....

:cry:

[gkhouston]

82. apparently, he didn't take it seriously enough to vote "no"

to a justice who will further undermine the checks and balances set forth in the Constitution.

[Sydnie]

66. It should have little to do with party affiliation

Washington and Rutledge - bruising confirmation hearing

[Sydnie]

72. I refuse to toe the party line when it comes to SC nominations

Make up his own mind.

President called him to lobby him. He told blivet** that he didn't lobby easily. Will listen but will make up his own mind.

Registered Dem, hails from a conservative state.

[The Witch]

77. Sigh. Someone start to play TAPS.

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

:cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

78. CSPan has Byrd as a Yes.

[adigal]

Maybe Byrd likes Alito on civil rights

Flame away!!!! I have always been bothered by that incident in Byrd's past and am surprised that Democrats give him a pass. He is an old time Southern Democrat - it is just that most of them are now Republicans.

[Kurovski]

94. *sigh*

Hmmmm.

I wonder if even one Republican will cross party lines.

I don't want to hear another word about "bi-partisanship" ever again from the Republican Party if they don't.

[AZBlue]

79. Oh for the love of God, just tell us how you're voting!!!!!!!

[ScreamingMeemie]

81. see above cspan has him in the yes column

[AZBlue]

87. Thank you!

I'm just listening on my laptop (my video stream is too choppy). I may just jump out of my chair and yell with relief if that's right!!!!!!

[Sydnie]

90. relief? I will be crying

If we have lost Byrd, we have lost the battle.

[Mass]

98. We had lost him from the beginning - The pass DU gives to Byrd is

just amazing. Cant you see the man for who he is.

[Sydnie]

108. I grew up in WV, knew him as a child I see him quite clearly

thank you.

I see that he is a complex man. I see that he sees many sides of an argument. I see that this time, we do not see eye to eye. I can still respect him, inspite of the fact that we disagree.

[in_cog_ni_to]

84. This isn't sounding too good, BUT then he starts in about the EXECUTIVE

POWER that ScAlito will give the idiot....BYRD ISN'T GONNA VOTE FOR ScAlito! Is he? :scared:

[ScreamingMeemie]

93. CSPAN already has him as a Yes.;

:(

[Sydnie]

85. Won't just vote for any judge just because he is conservative

have voted against judges on both sides who leaned too heavily on their personal views rather than precedent and a political agenda.

Unitary Executive. Share concern, but Alito has stated that it doesn't refer to broadening the power of the president. Rather, how the president uses his exisiting power.

Bringing up the speech to the Federalist Society. President should take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

[adigal]

110. Alito PROMISED him that he will check the

Executive branch.

This man is, sorry to say, too damned old to be doing this. He is from another era. He also said Roberts would check the power of the Executive, and must not know that Roberts just voted FOR executive power.

God, I hate being a Democrat.

[in_cog_ni_to]

88. OK!!!! Going NUTS here!!! Will you or won't you vote for ScAlito????????

:scared: SHEESH!

[bigjohn16]

91. He's defending Alito ,he'll vote for him. nt

[gumby]

89. Surprised that the "Dean" of the Senate

would vote for a Justice who WILL neuter Byrd's precious Senate.

[Wordie]

He'll vote "yes"...very disappointing. :(

[in_cog_ni_to]

99. NO!!!!!!!! NO! NO! NO!

he isn't voting for him! OMG....My hero has just been knocked to a VERY LOW PEG. :cry::cry:

[hang a left]

92. BREAKING: BYRD TO VOTE FOR ALITO

See my thread in GD just started.

[ScreamingMeemie]

95. See above...Cspan had it a few minutes ago.

Thanks anyway. :hi:

[bigjohn16]

104. Replied to the wrong post nt

[Vinca]

97. There we have it - Byrd's a yes.

I'm so freaking disgusted.

[AZBlue]

102. Is it just me or did it seem he just slipped it in there quietly?

[Sydnie]

111. He was scheduled to speak, Kennedy just took over the time

because Byrd wasn't on the floor yet.

[AZBlue]

124. Oh, no I meant within the text of his speech.

I'm only listening (no video fee)and I noticed he said the words quickly and lower than the rest of his speech. I almost got the feeling he was nervous/maybe a little embarassed to say it - he SHOULD be!!

[Sydnie]

131. Yes, the body language was just as you say too

He is voting that way because he is qualified on the legal legs of the matter. He was made promises by Alito and Byrd, of course, is a man of his word and expects that others will be too. Sometimes, you just have to lift the veil to see the truth. Byrd took the man at his word. I hope we all don't live to regret that choice.

I still love Byrd and respect him. I can agree to disagree with him. I hope he is around long enough to put up a good fight for the powers of the legislative branch that will be needed now. For that, he would have no match.

[Skidmore]

103. I'm sure glad he thinks Alito is a man of his word.

I don't. I think he's a weasel, patently dishonest.

[in_cog_ni_to]

106. I'm sick at heart. THAT JUST SUCKS!

I'm SO disappointed in Byrd. :cry: How pathetic. He LIKES CONSERVATIVE JUDGES! OMG.

[AZBlue]

114. I CAN'T believe he just did that!

I'm shaking my head in disbelief

[LiberalAndProud]

107. I hope he's right.

I hope I am absolutely 100% WRONG about Alito.

[dchill]

117. But you're not.

How did you feel about Roberts? Scalia? Thomas?

[LiberalAndProud]

123. I was frightened less of them.

Like I said

I hope I am 100% wrong.

[bigjohn16]

113. He has no idea what type of justice Alito will be...

... but he's willing to roll the dice. This is a sad day.

[dchill]

119. He has no idea...

so he votes "yes" - excellent, sound reasoning. :sarcasm:

[Kurovski]

144. Who knew Byrd was such a fan of lined notebook paper?

It seems that the "sincerity" of lined paper has won the day for Alito.

I hope there is something we can do to retire The Honorable Byrd, though I doubt he hurt his chances with this move.

[VP505]

115. Was that little red book Byrd was

waving around the Constitution or Chairman Mao Tse-Tung little Red Book ???

[Ovett]

116. Is Byrd a social conservative?? Only explanation for yes vote

I can think of.

[Sydnie]

122. WV is a very conservative state where social issues are concerned

that's why I left there when I turned 21.

[AZBlue]

129. I'm surprised it's not more liberal overall because of workers' issues.

The mining accidents only highlight the problems with Bush & Co's corporate favoritism.

[Sydnie]

139. It is still relatively a rural state

and ideas don't travel very fast there. Tradition does, however. Most of us, with a liberal bent, move to the college towns and then move out, unfortunately. Not many of the kids I graduate from high school with still live there. The few that have stayed are staying more for family and that tradition than any other reason.

[dchill]

126. His state is 90% pro-Alito...

Why? They're convinced he'll overturn Roe v. Wade. Byrd just wants to be re-elected. He needs to stop pulling that Constitution out of his pocket. Now.

[gkhouston]

128. maybe he should read it the next time he pulls it out

or remember that he swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

[dchill]

137. all enemies,

foreign and DOMESTIC. Yup.

[Kurovski]

118. Salazar is voting against!

[Kurovski]

125. Senator from Colorado. (nt)

[dchill]

130. Salazar's a Democrat.

[Kurovski]

135. Oops! My mistake

Thanks.

Why did I think he was an R? I'll edit post to avoid confusion.

[Freddie Stubbs]

140. Typical DLCer

;)

[EFerrari]

120. Salazar is moving left. He should be called, too.

I had expected him to vote with the DINOs but look at him!

[Blue Poppy]

121. WOW...Salazar is voting NO

I remember him playing nice with his involvement in the 'gang of 14'.
Salazar's performance has been iffy. But I guess he is better than the other candidate we had to choose from--Pete Coors.

[Kurovski]

127. Welcome to DU, Blue Poppy!

Glad to see you! :hi:

[Blue Poppy]

136. Salazar is a Dem

Dullard (Allard) is the repuke from CO

:hi: Thanks for the welcome!

[CornField]

132. New Thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x250159

[Name removed]

133. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Avalux]

134. Can't lock - but go here to continue discussion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x250159