Frist and Senate GOP denied by own party
Although President Bush and Bill Frist will get the nominations of Owens, Brown and Pryor passed, the Democrats will still have the option to exercise the filibuster on future judicial nominees under extreme circumstances. Individual Senators will determine what extreme circumstances are. This agreement does very little for the Senate GOP when it looks forward to Supreme Court nominations.
Even the moderate Republicans now are seeing the extent of the attempted power grab by the GOP leadership and are now working to curb it. Watching the CSPAN-2 coverage, it is quite humorous to see the Republicans that were one minute talking in absolutes about all judges receiving a vote are now figuratively joining with their centrist collegues that brokered the deal.
Sen. Frist: If this is such a big issue of principles and a Constitutional one, then please do not let this agreement stop you from having your vote on ending the filibuster. Nothing would make me happier than to see your own party betray you on a vote to change the filibuster rule.
This agreement, along with the moderate-driven stem cell bill is making me feel good about the congressional moderates, especially the Republicans that dare to step off the party line.
(Expect to hear more about filibusters when the first SC Justice retires.)
Even the moderate Republicans now are seeing the extent of the attempted power grab by the GOP leadership and are now working to curb it. Watching the CSPAN-2 coverage, it is quite humorous to see the Republicans that were one minute talking in absolutes about all judges receiving a vote are now figuratively joining with their centrist collegues that brokered the deal.
Sen. Frist: If this is such a big issue of principles and a Constitutional one, then please do not let this agreement stop you from having your vote on ending the filibuster. Nothing would make me happier than to see your own party betray you on a vote to change the filibuster rule.
This agreement, along with the moderate-driven stem cell bill is making me feel good about the congressional moderates, especially the Republicans that dare to step off the party line.
(Expect to hear more about filibusters when the first SC Justice retires.)