Frist threatens nuclear option? I say good, go for it Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday he is prepared to strip Democrats of their ability to filibuster, if they try to stall Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

If the republicans invoke the nuclear option on the Scalito nomination they will be hurting only themselves.
When they go down in 2006 The democratic leadership has a powerful weapon to use against them.
They will be denied the opportunity to filibuster the democrats.

I know ultimately the nuclear option is a bad thing for our system of government and should not be used but I can't help thinking that if they pull the nuclear trigger we will make them regret it in the years to come!

That is if they are all not already in prison by then.

it sounds too risky to me. i understand what you're suggesting, i'm just too afraid that it would backfire.





postscript:

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4430590

If they have the votes to eliminate the filibuster, it would be preferable to eliminate it overtly than covertly. I can't see how covert elimination of the filibuster (through intimidation about ending it overtly) does anything other than to show the republicans that they haven't quite hit the limit of how hard they can push the Republic around.

If they don't have it, lets see the cards laid on the table. I think Frist is bluffing, and an Alito filibuster, centered on ethics questions and a few sound-bite philosophical issues, would succeed in holding 41 senators together, and in holding 51 senators together in the belief that it's not an unreasonable thing to do.

Democrats have to make every Republican pay a political price for rolling back our personal freedoms...Roe v. Wade, Patriot Act, this war...we have to be united and on the right side of the issues in 2006.

i just wish idiots like joe lieberman did.





postscript:

i apologize in advance if this is against some rule i'm unaware of, but i'm going to plug my thread. i have started a thread suggesting a new DU group for career advice, and job seekers. if you're interested please check out this thread and reply:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x4430590

Last time, they got their cake and got to eat it too. i.e. The dems gave the repugs what they wanted, and didn't make them pay for it. Letting this thing blow up will illuminate the total loss of checks and balances. They names of those voting to blow this up will go down in history as those who fire the last shot, killing a democracy.

bottom line: Democrats have to get together on whether Alito passes muster, then stand by it, come what may. If Frist nukes--there is a lot of gray area as to whether it's even constitutional, and a real possibility SCOTUS could get involved. There will be major ramifications and some likely beneficial.

Most important: Democrats stand together.

the decision?

Empty sabre rattling, it seems to me.

The one thing that the Republicans have not been able to hide from John Q Public is their thirst for power. This type of power grab will be seen as an egregious abuse of power. Even casual observers of politics understand what an important tool the filibuster is. To invoke the "nuclear option" would ensure that the republicans are seen as power mad dirty tricksters.

While the freepers and foxies will be jumping for joy, the general public will see this for what it is.

I hope they do it.

In the words of Commander Bunnypants, "bring it on".

and majority Democratic Senate.

If they are in the minority after 2006 they can still filibuster legislation, and Bush ultimately has a veto pen.

As long as there is a Republican president the nuclear option helps them, because it would only take 50 votes+VPOTUS for confirmation of appointments.

grow some balls and fillibuster Alito. I think it would shut down the senate and slap Frist right in the face.

Am I wrong when I say Frist has lost the backing and bitchiosity he once thought he had? To me he's beginning to resemble a little weasel.

He was practically in tears from being "slapped in the face" by Harry Reid when he called for the closed session.

the dems have to attack with the fillibuster. The dems have a hard time keeping the pressure on somebody that they've bitched slapped and got good response out of it. They have to slap the other side while it's still hot instead of walking away. Yhey lose focus to easilly.