Is there a secret deal going regarding Alito?

[TheBaldyMan]

It strikes me as illogical not to have a filibuster over Alito's elevation to the SCOTUS.

Do the Dems think that they have a limited amount of political capital that they can expend on a filibuster or an impeachment but not both?

Behind the scenes are representatives horse-trading? Alito's confirmation being the quid pro quo for the President's removal from office.

Surely it is the duty of congress to keep those unfitted for office out of government, it is not something that can be enumerated. Instead it is properly decided by the question: Is this a fit person for the post? If they don't measure up they are not appointed, if already in office they are removed.

Alito does not meet the standard neither does George W. Bush.

[Moochy]

1. Mortified of failure

If they filibuster and are clotured, they fear they will look worse, so in defeatist terms, it's better to just confirm the "closet bigot" :shrug: fucking appeasers. The PRO-WAR pack of weasels on both sides of the aisle have abandoned their duty to the constitution, these hearings are further evidence of this sad fact. I suppose that this should come as no suprise.

[Teaser]

2. Don't quit!

this diary at dailykos has given me some new fire:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/15/142235/901

[Moochy]

7. I read this this morning it is good

"There are millions of us, yet we get crestfallen when one of 246 Democrats backs down. But it is our duty as citizens and liberals, when we see hesitance on the part of our leaders, to push them back in the ring. It's our hands--millions of them--which should be pressing upon their backs, forcing them to confront the fight which must be fought."

I even emailed Difi and restrained from name-calling in the email. That took alot of restraint, but I did it for the republic! :D

[John Q. Citizen]

9. Me too! n/t

[Wordie]

13. Amen...thanks for finding that. Here's a link to Senator's contact numbers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x122095
Above is a DU thread with FAX numbers for both Dem (in OP) and Republican (first reply) Senators (with thanks to DU poster longship, who posted them in GD).

And here is an all-purpose Senate contact link (thanks to DU poster bettyellen for this). Just put in your state in the drop-down box, and you can email them directly from there. (No need to even open up your email program, if you are looking for super easy and fast.) You can get their phone numbers here too, if you prefer to call them:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Do it NOW!

[ananda]

3. No, all they have to do..

.. is shut down the government then.

Stand up, Dems.

Filibuster Alito!

Sue

[Moochy]

6. I Agree, and something about constiutionalist republicans

I know that Reid and others could use endless parliamentary procedures to stop the vote, to filibuster the nominee, and in the case of a republican rules change, they could likely shut down the nuclear option as well. Let's see how many repubs would vote for cloture on the rules change to eliminate the filibuster.. My guess is that both sides know that (R)'s woudlnt have the votes to make the change. I think that the reason that Frist and others won't exercise the "nuclear option" is they wouldnt win. Reid has been described as a consummate parliamentarian, who knows the rules inside and out.

I *DO* find it interesting sepculation that constitutionalist republicans may be in deals with Reid and senior democrats over bush's NSA Spying and other issues, and maybe it's just wishful thinking but if so, it's a hopeful image to picture some republicans with a soul, and a spine, horsetrading their nominee in exchange for the freedom of the republic.

[TheBaldyMan]

10. his appointment would be very harmful to the US?

remember that my OP is speculation, having said that;

Alito in office would be harmful in the extreme to the democratic process. Would this be a price worth paying?

Why not at least try to block Alito's appointment, even with the inevitable MSM bawling and crying foul. At least they could point out that his appointment would put a man who supports limitless powers of the president before the rights of the people.

Even if there were deals done, what guarantee is there that Republicans would stick to the bargain? On their track record they have reneged on every deal, gone back on every promise then lied when challenged about their two-faced actions.

If the Dems can't keep Alito out of office now how will it be easier to remove Bush from office? After the '06 elections - maybe.

I still can't figure out myself - I'd be fighting like a wildcat on PCP if I were in their position.

[Moochy]

12. Deals Struck with whom?

The wild speculation I've read elsewhere about deals between Reid and "constitutionalist republicans" are intriguing, and appeal to my sense of the world. I don't think that there is any guarantee from the current house/senate republican leaders, they(Delay et. al) are all rats on the sinking SS Abramoff it appears.

Another Remedy in 2008 is that a (D) president can add more judges to the bench. :evilgrin:

I agree the (D) should filibuster, shut it down, and lets see some senatorial speechifying until the cows come home. Got the votes for cloture? bring it on thugs. I doubt the rethuglicans have the appetite for the nuclear option.

[Wordie]

15. Wouldn't constitutionalist republicans be wary of Alito anyway?

...regardless of any "deal"? Wouldn't they be worried about the usurpation of legislative and/or judicial powers in favor of the president if Alito gets confirmed? That's what I'm holding out hope for.

[Moochy]

16. I don't know if those (R) see Alito in that light

But you are right, if they fear an enlarged executive branch, with emperor like abilities, then Alito would be worth opposing.

I say Reid, make some deals, Cheney and Bush for Alito. It's a fair shake. Then let a president Warner sign an executive order adding 3 more seats to the supreme court bench on January 16th 2008. Take that Conservative movement! :D

[Wordie]

17. Nah, Bush is for 2 more years; Alito is forever (almost). We should

contact those Republican Senators who might be able to see the threat to their legislative powers that is posed by Alito. And three more seats might happen, (or more likely) might not. It's not something to rely upon.

[Quakerfriend]

4. I have been wondering the same thing.

Are final deals being made before the fallout from Abramoff et al.?

I am disgusted beyond belief.

[Orangepeel]

5. No.

The Dems won't have a filibuster because they don't have the votes to sustain one.

[TheBaldyMan]

11. What can be done to block his appointment? n/t

[peacetalksforall]

8. The Republican regime always takes short cuts. If given a choice

between long term and short - they take short. A choice between George and Alito is a VERY BAD SHORT TERM trade. The longer it takes to get George out, the more George will ruin things for Repubilcans and fill his mouth with his foot. George is a matter of months or years. Alito is decades. It doesn't matter that Alito is backed by the Fed Society and they with PNAC and the corporations, reverends, and barons will still be around and still be trying to resurrect a Republican WH, Congress, and Court ... it matters that their hands and litagations and declarations are tied up or slowed down with a fair court. Alito on the court is not a FAIR DEAL for citizens.

[Little Star]

14. He's a friggin liar

They just gonna allow a friggin bigoted liar on the supreme court with out calling him on it? If they do that then they are real losers.

[BigYawn]

18. Failure to smoke out Alito is the reason there will be no filibuster?

[TheBaldyMan]

19. You mean it isn't plain as a pikestaff that Alito is unfit for office? n/t

[BigYawn]

20. Does not look like it is obvious to enough senators, sigh......n/t

[TheBaldyMan]

21. but given his record of extreme judgements there can be no ...

objection to a filibuster, I'd say that there was a duty to stop his appointment.