February 11, 2003

WELCOME TO JONESTOWN:

Dems Say They Can Block Vote on Judge (JESSE J. HOLLAND, 2/11/03, Associated Press)
President Bush appealed to the Senate on Tuesday to stop talking and start voting on his nomination of Miguel Estrada to the federal appeals bench, but Senate Democrats said they had the votes to block an immediate confirmation vote.

After threatening a filibuster for weeks, Democrats emerged from their weekly policy luncheon Tuesday with enough support within their ranks to take on the White House and the Republican Senate majority in an increasingly contentious battle over Estrada's nomination.

Senate Republicans, meanwhile, threatened to force the Democrats to stay in session until a final vote was taken.

"If they want to stay through the weekend, we'll stay through the weekend,'' said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.


The GOP really needs to not squander this golden opportunity. Keep them in session. Have the President mention it every day. And if the Democrats eventually do hold together, make Mr. Estrada the next Supreme Court nominee. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 11, 2003 8:43 PM
Comments

The Dems absolutely must dig in on the Estrada nomination. Everyone knows what is going on: the Clarence Thomas gambit. If the Black seat and the Hispanic seat are both held by conservatives, the Dems would never be able to but thier organized constituents hand-picked people on the Court. It's almost fun to watch: live by the racial sword, die by the racial sword.

Posted by: Lou Gots at February 11, 2003 9:00 PM

I was highly critical of Trent Lott's ineffective leadership, but I must admit that I've wondered how the seemingly accommodating doctor would respond when there was a need to get tough. So far, he's looking excellent. I'm with Orrin -- keep the pressure on the Dems for a change.

Posted by: Kevin Whited at February 11, 2003 10:29 PM

Are you kidding? The only group in the world to have surrender more times without a fight than the French is the Senate Republicans. The Stupid Party is going to find some reason to accomodate the Dems, so as to avoid the appearance of actually standing for something.



I sure do hope I'm wrong.

Posted by: Raoul Ortega at February 11, 2003 10:37 PM

I'm afraid Raoul is right but perhaps the Doctor has more spine than Lott and Bush will keep the Senators spines up as well.

Posted by: AWW at February 11, 2003 11:41 PM

Hey, after years of Impo-Trent's leadership (and the Tax Collector for the Welfare State before), a Texas boy can hope for better things, can't he? :)

Posted by: Kevin Whited at February 12, 2003 10:39 AM

Remember what happened when Gingrich shut down the government? If Bush, Rove and Frist can't tar the Donks with that obstructionist brush, they aren't even trying.

Posted by: Billy Hank at February 12, 2003 7:55 PM
« STRANGE SORT OF EMPIRE: | Main | IT CUTS DOWN ON RECIDIVISM: »