Reply #7: Two points:

[salin]

I think that protest votes (ala opposition) are valuable - esp if/when awful things happen later under their watch (and given the track record of these two particular nominees, it seems pretty likely that they will - in their sycophant roles that they have already demonstrated that they play - preside over some pretty awful policy blunders.)

The news coverage (which is getting harder and harder to come by for those that criticize bushco) gets some of the issues/concerns out into thte public psyche NOW. No opposition - no story to cover.

However, I think that the pillorying of Obama or others over these votes - given the "likely pass" nature - is over the top. That is - I agree that your concerns per the derision heaped on those who don't oppose - esp Obama) is illconceived. But I don't agree that there is no value in the opposition votes on these two particular nominees.