(Click thumbnail to view)
NO CLEAR WINNER HERE . . .
I'm impressed that several Republican "moderates" demonstrated political courage in standing up to Senator Frist and the Dobson/Theocracist wing of the party; yes, a handful of Republicans wrested control on the "nuclear option" from the leadership - for the time being, anyway.
I believe that the Republicans who stood on the stage with John McCain last night are sincere in their belief that their cause is just and necessary. As usual, Ohio's Senator DeWine stood up long after Ohio's other Senator Voinovich had slipped into the shadows. I enjoyed seeing McCain step in front of the bi-partisan group to draw the spotlights and flashbulbs, although the others had been more heavily involved in cobbling together the "truce". McCain sucked a lot of oxygen out of the room, but he will also reap most of the hateful reprisals from the rabid religious right.
WAS THIS A GOOD DEAL FOR THE DEMS?
I believe they got all they could - basically, a truce - an opportunity to fight another day. Senator Russ Feingold - who may be our next President - said:
"This is not a good deal for the U.S. Senate or for the American people. Democrats should have stood together firmly against the bullying tactics of the Republican leadership abusing their power as they control both houses of Congress and the White House. Confirming unacceptable judicial nominations is simply a green light for the Bush administration to send more nominees who lack the judicial temperament or record to serve in these lifetime positions. I value the many traditions of the Senate, including the tradition of bipartisanship to forge consensus. I do not, however, value threatening to disregard an important Senate tradition, like occasional unlimited debate, when necessary. I respect all my colleagues very much who thought to end this playground squabble over judges, but I am disappointed in this deal."
While I love hearing all the moans and wails over on the right side of the body politic, I fail to see what they think has been changed so radically by this "deal". I must be missing something - but it's fun to watch Michelle Malkin frothing all over her bee-stung lips and lashing out at the "moderate" GOP-ers:
"The GOP parade of pusillanimity marches on. With this pathetic cave-in, the Republicans have sealed their fate as a Majority in Name Only."
The Buzz Blog was damn near apoplectic:
"The Senate Leadership and President Bush have been sold down the river by these seven Republicans. This so called "deal" was a retreat from earlier claims that Democrats were willing to approve five of the seven filibustered nominees. Talk about bad negotiating tactics -- McCain and company actually lost ground when the GOP held all the cards. This is a sad day for the Republic."
Still, as I see it, won't the very nominees (Owen, Brown and Pryor) that the liberals have been howling about now get a vote on the floor of the United States Senate? Try to distill all this onto a T-shirt. I'd really like t' see THAT!
(Click thumbnail to view a practical campaign
tchatschke - touting a pragmatic politician!)
Good fortune. Please spread the meme.
COMMENT! Don't smoke in bed . . .
