It's not about winning, it's about principle.

Up until the last person casts their vote we should strive for the Democrats and moderate Republicans to filibuster Alito. However, the reality of the matter is that Alito is highly likely to get nominated. That's just the reality of the situation.

However, it isn't about winning. It is about principle. It's about telling the American people, "Look, we did our best, we did everything we could do and we opposed Alito." It's about being able to stand on the moral high ground later on. It is about standing up for DEMOCRATIC VALUES.

I never had high hopes for blocking Alito's nomination. In fact, until the Democratic party proves to me otherwise I rarely have high hopes for the party in general. Still, this is an extremely important issue that should not be under rated or ignored.

...and more importantly than everything I stated above there needs to be consequences for ones actions. If a Democrat votes to support Alito or fails to come out in support of a filibuster then it is our duty as true Democrats to hold them accountable. It is our duty to send out a strong message, telling them that actions like this are not only NOT acceptable, but will not be tolerated.

We need a list of every Democrat who fails to publicly announce support for a filibuster of Alito, and if they fail to comply, then we must find someone in their districts to run against them in the 2006 elections. If they will not represent us, they do not deserve to have a place in Congress. It is their duty to serve the will of the people, and the will of the people and of the Democratic Party is to bar the nomination of Samuel Alito. It does not matter if we fail, it only matters that we took a stand.

:yourock:

Peace.

I hate the way everyone wants to prophesy, especially newspapers. Why not report the news instead of trying to report what will "probably" be news next week? Tell the public something about Alito instead of pushing for (predicting) a fait accompli.

Also the whole "don't filibuster because we won't win" seems ridiculous. Might as well tell a baseball player "don't swing at Randy Johnson's pitches because you won't get a hit." Well, you aren't going to get a hit by not swinging. That I feel free to prophesy.

Without a filibuster, Alito gets confirmed. With one, there's at least some chance that he doesn't. Something is better than nothing isn't it?

you need to win elections

thats what matters in the end

i'll tell you what is better than filibustering

winning elections and making appointments

Filibuster now, win elections in November and in 2008, when they come up.

Is any incumbent Democrat going to lose if they filibuster? Only if we let the Republican noise machine carry the message. If we can sell our opposition as opposing a "unitary executive" then I would expect that to have very solid support in even the reddest state.

And of course I hope against all hope that he is not confirmed. I just wouldn't hold my breath. It's very realistic to say that the odds are not in our favor. I am simply saying, that it doesn't matter if we don't "win", it only matters that we tried. It's about standing up for our principles and values. If our elected leaders aren't willing to do that, then they aren't fit to serve in Congress. Simple as that.