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May 23, 2005EXTRA! GOP has Majority…and spines of Jelly. JELLY.UPDATE: Alexander McClure at Polipundit has a completely different read on this, and since he is much in the minority, I thought it fair to put his thoughts up here where they won’t be lost: First, Democrats are forced to let three of the President’s nominees Second, the President did not have to drop, as earlier proposed Third, the decision is an admission of failure by the Democratic Fourth, we can expect a Supreme Court vacancy this summer. With the Fifth, if Democrats continue to filibuster judicial nominees, it gives Republicans a In short, this is the submission of the minority to the will of the I respect McClure a lot so, fair enough. Now that I have vented my spleen, thrown my Traditional Irish Fit and basically had a fine old time being angry as all get out…I’m willing to see if McClure is correct, and if the Democrats have - essentially - been Rope-a-doped. We’ll see. Meanwhile, here is the initial rant and links: It’s gonna be a long cold day before the GNP sees a dime of my money. A long. Cold. Day. Can someone please explain to me why, with 57% support from the nation (under-reported, of course), the GOP caved on this? In the end a compromise was NEVER a good idea for either side. It made the GOP show its majority as spineless, it makes the Democrats lose sight of what is real statesmanship and what is statesmanship. Neither of which serves the nation these people are supposed to be pledged to serve. You’ll just want to go to bench memos and scroll down and bring up the pdf files and just sit there in stunned amazement at the utter uselessness and lack of cujones of the GOP leadership, the fecklessness of the Democrats, and the promise of nothing but more obstruction, more double-dirt and more partisan politicking to come. UPDATE: Interestingly, Sean Rushton is finding a clever loophole that he thinks will help the GOP: The fact that Senate Democrats are willing to allow cloture on Owen, Brown, and Pryor indicates that conservative judicial philosophy cannot be considered the basis for a filibuster, or an “extraordinary circumstance.” As an aside…am I the only one who thinks BENCHPRESS would be a better name than BENCH MEMOS? Just asking. uh-huh, we’ll see. The Democrats have done nothing over the past 5 years that gives us a reason to trust that they’ll be reasonable about anything, including that idea. This is freaking disgraceful. As usual, the GOP gave up, and the Democrats give up NOTHING. Here’s the agreement. It will make you sick. Ed Morrissey has this: Reid: “This is a significant victory for our country…” No, it’s a significant victory for Reid. He just smoked Frist, and now he’s using that hard-won “comity” to blast Bush and Cheney for power grabbing and perverting the Constitution. Yeah, great going, GOP. Reid: Filibusters will continue on Saad and Myers. Frist: Deal will require “careful monitoring”. For what? You just gave away the store! Frist is continuing to spin this into a win for the nominees, but it’s not going to fly. The Democrats blocked at least two of the nominees and made no substantive guarantees to stop their obstructionism. He did say that “All options remain on the table, including the Constitutional option,” but the momentum has clearly been brought to a halt. This, in short, has been a clear victory for the Democrats and a massive failure for the GOP and the White House. The GOP just endorsed the filibuster, and will have no intellectual capacity to argue against its use later on. They sold the Constitution just to get less than half of its blockaded nominees through, and the result will be much less flexibility on future Supreme Court nominations. Staggering. Just staggering. What the hell are Frist and these others thinking? Lindsay Graham? “I changed my vote because we’re at war and kids are dying.” Yeah, that’s right, Senator. Dying so that their families can watch their constitution slowly erode away with moves like this. I am disgusted, disgusted, disgusted. Michelle Malkin leads the pack with links. “John McCain is in full peacock mode.” With that one sentence Ace of Spades nails the feckless headline-hunter-show-me-where-the-camera-is-and-keep-loving-me-cause-I’m-a-Maverick-baby-a-maverick!John McCain. This man has never gotten over being a media darling, and he’s probably salivating over the press he’s going to get- “OUR SAVIOR, JOHN McCAIN” even as he sells his party out and chips away at the constitution. Ugh. It’s too much. Get me a Guinness! UPDATE: Political Teen has the video and for a completely DIFFERENT take on this, Mark at Decision ‘08 says this is a win for the GOP. Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, William Pryor to receive up and down vote; the Democrats pledge not to filibuster future Appeals or Supreme Court Nominees except in ‘extreme circumstances’. Yeah, you keep believing that. Define “Extreme.” No, wait, let me define it for you: WHOEVER BUSH NOMINATES TO THE SUPREME COURT. H/T: Scared Monkeys. Ramesh Ponnuru at The Corner sums it up: Here’s what the Democrats commit to in the future: “Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.” Here’s what the Republicans commit to: “In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress. . .” So: Democrats can filibuster nominees in “extraordinary circumstances,” to be determined according to the “discretion and judgment” of Ralph Neas–I mean, of each individual senator. Republicans, on the other hand, are not getting any wiggle room to vote for a rules change in “extraordinary circumstances”–such as the Democrats’ abuse of their wiggle room. It looks as though the majority party got taken in this deal. Kathryn Jean Lopez sees a dark side for the left, as well: One thing to note, even if the GOP got the short end of the deal: As I said in Bench Memos earlier, the folks at People for the American Way have got to be pretty mad tonight, too. How much time and money have they spent painting Brown, Owen, and Pryor as crazy extremists? Hmmm. That’s some small comfort. Small. Comfort. Again. I’m staggered. I only joined the GOP because of W. This is really making me think I’m going to re-register as an Independent. Mr. Hewitt isn’t sure if this is a “bad” deal or a really bad deal, but he knows it’s not a good one. And the left gets one more break from all of this, too, and that is that this story re Newsweek (link has a problem, so scroll down to read it) will get buried by the headlines about the GOP’s latest cave and John McCain’s latest knife to the back of the president. Jimmie at Sundries Shack has the latest. Just reading Reid makes my blood boil. Frist, too. http://theanchoressonline.com/2005/05/23/extra-gop-has-majorityand-spines-of-jelly-jelly/trackback/ 34 Responses to “EXTRA! GOP has Majority…and spines of Jelly. JELLY.” |
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:33 pm
This is a joke! Amen, Sister to not sending another dime to the Senate. They get nothing from me until they grow spines. John McCain will never get my vote. He betrayed his party, President and most importantly, the Constitution he swore to uphold.
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:34 pm
This is no win - the Republicans just threw it away. How do you define “extraordinary circumstances”.
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:50 pm
The Reaction Continues to Pour In…
Punditish is cautious, but feels that, on the surface, the deal favors the Democrats…
Michelle Malkin is, as usual, putting up a great roundup…but so far, it’s all negative…and Michelle says, “My two cents: Ditto to all of the above. The GOP…
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:51 pm
I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to wake up.Ever since that Ole Miss cheerleader, Lott, not only let the raping-woman beating-lying under oath- seller of Arlington Cemetary plots for campaign donations go free, he sabotaged the House’s case in its prosecution of it.That’s! when I closed my pocketbook and made the switch to the part of backbone, cajones and principles: Independent.
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:53 pm
ps.
Hope you’re feeling better physically cuz I know you’re sick to your stomach otherwise.
May 23rd, 2005 at 8:55 pm
Deal Reached On Senate Filibusters
An agreement has been reached between Republicans and Democrats regarding judicial filibusters. More details to follow… UPDATE: The deal: Pyror, Brown, and Owen will receive cloture. Filibusters only for “extraordinary circumstances…” Nothing in …
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:14 pm
The Dirty Deal…
…done dirt cheap, as far as Democratic concessions. Thank you, John McCain, for continuing to care so much about liberal media opinion and for continuing to suffer under the delusion that we’re going to allow a Napoleon-complexed strutting peacock l…
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:23 pm
Hey guys, Frist didn’t have the votes. It’s that simple. He played chicken and lost.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:26 pm
Filibuster Deal Reached?
FoxNews is reporting that the Senate has reached a compromise on Judical nominees. It looks like a lousy deal and lets the Democrats off easy. Under the terms, Democrats agreed to allow final confirmation votes for Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown …
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:28 pm
No “Nuclear Option”. Filibusters to Continue Apace.
Some US Senators have reached an agreement to prevent the so-called “nuclear option” and to prevent filibusters on judicial nominations except in “extraordinary circumstances”.
Here is the gist of the agreement. Nominees Rogers-Brown, Pryor, and…
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:30 pm
lets not quit!
Believe me, thes: these moderates are going to hear from us for failing to live up to the principle of getting a vote for these nominees.
First, demand that Frist and the f…lazy Republicans demand breaking the filibuster, 24 x 7 throughout the night all through the Memorial weekend until the Dems cry mercy and if everyone collapses in exhaustion…
Second, Bush should install these nominees with a recess appointment and make a statement that the Senate is the most undemocratic institution of our Government.
Third, find the most conservative Michigan Judge you can find and make the DEMs wish they had accepted Saad.
Fourth, Frist should attempt to change the rules to allow the Filibuster but only require 55 to break cloture. It is within the spirit and letter of the agreement.
I actually think this has shown Conservatives something about Frist and McCain. We know where each stands. Frist can’t make these freaking peacocks vote his way. I have more respect for him that I did a few months ago.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:33 pm
And apparently, the Democrats didn’t have the votes to stop Owens, et al, no matter how brutally they caricatured them. What a world. What a way to govern. This is not statesmanship.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:36 pm
I hope the Senators are relaxing with a nice cocktail at some swanky restaurant. Naturally, it will be at taxpayer expense. I am so disgusted with this deal. My family put their heart and soul into the last election. NOT ONE DIME. I don’t care if Demcrats win anymore. Republicans don’t deserve the majority. I think we should start a term limits drive & get EVERYONE out. Let’s start over.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:57 pm
“continuing commitments” …sounds to me like as soon as the dems filibuster a nominee their commitment has ended and the GOP can change the rules, but what do I know, I’m just a girl.
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:57 pm
Wannabe-Moonbat McCain spearheads filibuster compromise deal
US Senator John McCain (R, but not really-AZ) was at the front of the line when more than a dozen Senators from both sides of the aisle came together on a compromise aimed at avoiding the “nuclear option” showdown set…
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:06 pm
Remember the Red Sox win over the Yankees in last year’s ALCS? The Dems just topped that feat…
If I were President Bush, I would give both Saad and Myers, who are being hung out by the GOP jellyfish, recess appointments this summer when the Senate goes home.
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:08 pm
[...]
It’s Official: Religion is less nuts than politics! [...]
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:17 pm
Well, I don’t know, it’s unclear to me who has really backed down here. Suddenly a bunch of moderates are saying that the “terrible three” are not radical extermists. That ain’t nothing, and it seems like a very major backdown on the part of the Dems. If they could’ve blocked those three, they would’ve. They couldn’t so they won’t. Is it possible some folks are more interested in an immediate scorched earth humiliation of the enemy than an actual important victory that still leaves open the door for torching these Dem punks if they try to pull something? How do we know that this isn’t just the Dem’s way of slinking away mortally wounded? Do we also have to do a victory dance and put their heads on pikes along the city walls? I’m not saying I know any of this to be the case, but I’m just askin’.
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:19 pm
GOP Senators Just Bought Bridge in Brooklyn
There are bad deals, and there are stupid deals, and then there are really incredibly-stupid, outrageously-bad deals, and then there is the deal that went down in the U.S. Senate today, which dwarfs them all in badness and stupidity!
It’s incredibl…
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:19 pm
As I said on my blog, As Of Tonight, I Am Done With The GOP.
I do not have the energy or the will power to continue working for a party just to see every potential victory turn into a defeat. We built a 55-seat majority, and defeated the sitting Senate Minority Leader for obstructing judicial nominees, for Pete’s sake, and it still made no difference.
I just don’t have the energy or mental health to care anymore. I’m done.
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:20 pm
Filibuster Compromise?
I haven’t been following the news today. What is the filibuster compromise? Must be bad news.
Irate bloggers: Michelle Malkin (Update), Captain’s Quarters (live-blogging), GOP Bloggers, Power Line, Crooks and Liars (this liberal tells the truth), …
May 23rd, 2005 at 10:59 pm
I remind you that filibusters cut both ways. This week the House of Representatives may vote on HR 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. This bill would require HHS to fund research with human embryonic stem cells derived from so-called “excess” embryos from fertility clinics. The House bill has 200 co-sponsors, which is nearly enough votes for passage. The corresponding Senate bill, S. 471, likewise has bipartisan support. This is a situation in which I would like to see a pro-life Senator stand against the majority and filibuster to prevent a Senate vote on the bill. But if judicial filibusters had been taken off the table, the weakening of this Senate tradition would have made it more difficult to take such a stand.
May 23rd, 2005 at 11:12 pm
There’s a difference, in my opinion, between filibustering legislative items like a bill to fund stem cell research and filibustering a President’s judicial nominees.
May 23rd, 2005 at 11:13 pm
This is so disappointing. I was hoping to see the GOP Senators stand their ground for once and see what they can do with a majority. The President does. He goes for what he discerns is right and damn the consequences. (Chief Two Stones.) That why people freakin’ re-elected him. This ends my straight GOP ballot, which was really only in function last election. I am watching very closely who does what now.
May 23rd, 2005 at 11:15 pm
Cowards, Quislings, Losers, Liars
McCain just dug his grave. He will never be President now.
McCain’s glee in the conference is reminiscent of nothing less than Chamberlain’s “peace in our time” capitulation over Czechoslovokia. “The Senate won and the country won.” No, John, …
May 24th, 2005 at 12:37 am
Don’t leave us, Anchoress, we have so many battles left! If I’m wrong about this, I’ll be eating a lot of crow, but I really do think the Democrats won’t like this deal much once it’s had time to settle…after all, three of their least favorite people are most likely heading towards confirmation…Keep up the good work, even if we lost the battle, the war will yet be ours (patriotic music swells in the background)…
May 24th, 2005 at 1:50 am
More Commentary On “The Deal”
ABP’s analysis of “the deal” is definitely worth a read. I agree with most, if not all, of Bulldog’s analysis, but I can’t help but be happy to know that some of the “extremist” nominees will be sitting on the bench very soon. I don’t like ho…
May 24th, 2005 at 7:19 am
[...] olitical Teen has the video of the presser. Scared Monkeys has a round up. The Anchoress isn’t pleased. As usual, the GOP gave up, and th [...]
May 24th, 2005 at 7:56 am
[...] ore on the Republican Implosion
Filed under: General — @ 7:56 am
The Achoress has a wonderful post on this topic. She se [...]
May 24th, 2005 at 9:32 am
Beware of Democrats offering Compromise
They’ve said it best: Michelle Malkin, Captain’s Quarters (also here), Outside the Beltway (also here), La Shawn Barber, WizBang, Blogs…
May 24th, 2005 at 11:51 am
McCain needs to find a new home (independents) and hopefully a one in Arizona where he can do the least amount of damage. He may have supported W. last fall and we short memory elephants felt he was finally walking the Party line. He will never get my support.
May 24th, 2005 at 3:32 pm
You nailed the simplicity of the isssue…Why trust Democrat Senators? Never deal with scoundrels and devils, and here we’re dealing with both.
For all the recent straw arguments about majority power, minority rights, and checks and balance, what Fourteen Senators gained for themselves last night was the usurpation of concentrated Senate authority that effectively establishes a kleptocratic legislative star chamber with despotic control over every other Branch of American government.
May 24th, 2005 at 8:51 pm
Republicans cave, John McCain, leading caveman
John McCain has done what John McCain does best…
May 24th, 2005 at 9:14 pm
About that Senate compromise
So the Constitutional option to stop the filibuster of judicial nominations has been avoided, for now. My first reaction was outrage and I was prepared to just rant against the RINOs and MSM boot licker once again. However, I decided to take my time …