GOP sees momentum in ending judicial filibusters

[papau]

Senate Republicans think they have enough votes (53)to close the door on filibusters of judicial nominees — are pushing their holdout, Majority Whip/Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who evidently is concerned that there's not enough of a clamor to go nuclear, to get on board - and claim a need to get the change done next month on a federal bench nominee, so it's settled by the time a Supreme Court nomination is on the table (and George Will is moving from his opposition to the rules change).


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/03/15/gop_sees_momentum_in_ending_judicial_filibusters/


GOP sees momentum in ending judicial filibusters
By Charlie Savage, Globe Staff | March 15, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Republicans believe they have enough votes to end the filibustering of judicial nominees, a landmark change in Senate rules that would clear the way for President Bush to get conservative judges confirmed but could draw a forceful reaction from minority Democrats, who have threatened to use procedural moves to shut down the chamber in retaliation.

Republican activists working on the issue say they have one last obstacle to making the change -- their second-ranking Senate leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is said to be reluctant to take such a radical step. As majority whip, McConnell wields considerable power over the Republican caucus and members would be hesitant to proceed without his approval.

Supporters of the change say McConnell has argued in closed-door leadership meetings that there was not sufficient public clamor for the change. Conservative leaders plan to pressure him while activists work to raise grass-roots anger at Democratic filibusters, procedural maneuvers that have blocked votes on 10 of Bush's most conservative nominees to federal appeals courts.<snip>

''We think we have 53 votes," said Miranda, who joined the Heritage Foundation and now leads a regular conference call among conservative groups building support for ending Democratic judicial filibusters. ''The question now is not if but when."<snip>

[74dodgedart]

1. Myth of the liberal judiciary

More active judges appointed by Republican presidents than Democrats:

877 Total

42 vacant

203 W
131 Bush Sr
113 Reagan
4 Ford
5 Nixon
Total = 456


348 Clinton
30 Carter
1 Johnson
Total = 379


What are the Cons complaining about ?

[papau]

2. They want total control! :-)

:-)

[ohtransplant]

3. Dems need to keep the pressure up too!

And if this comes to pass, it needs to be on strictly party-line basis. Dems need to make it clear they're united against this and hold the pugs responsible in 2006!

Any Dems who even consider crossing over on this one should be expelled from the party! Rethugs up for election in 2006 need to be clear this will be a campaign issue!

[w4rma]

4. Filibuster the anti-filibuster rule.

Could that article be anymore biased towards the Republican leadership? It avoids ANY Democratic quotes or positions. It avoids facts that do not back up the Repugs' plan.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Is anyone planning on calling McConnell's office?

[Mithras61]

6. I'd like to remind them one more time

What goes around, comes around. You won't be in charge of Congress, the Senate and the White House forever.

If you do this, and when you loose them (and you will loose them sooner or later), don't waste your time crying about how you're being railroaded by the Democrats, because that's exactly what you're trying to do to us.

If you really want to play by these rules, we'll be happy to play by 'em too, but remember this when you are the minority party and are treated as you are treating us now.