| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Cheney Vows to Cast Senate Tie-Breaking Vote vs. Filibusters |
| 2005-04-23 |
| Vice President Dick Cheney warned Democrats Friday that he will cast the tie-breaking vote to ban filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominees if the Senate deadlocks on the question. Republicans are moving the Senate toward a final confrontation with Democrats over judicial nominations. Internal GOP polling shows that most Americans don't support Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's plan to ban judicial filibusters - a tactic in which opponents can prevent a vote on a nomination with just 41 votes in the 100-member Senate.snip Now that Texas judge Priscilla Owen and California judge Janice Rogers Brown have been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, Frist has two nominees to push forward in a battle that conservatives hope their allies will rally around. "We have now the vehicle. We have two qualified women. They have met every test," said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. An internal Republican poll showed that Frist's plan to ban judicial filibusters might not be as popular as they had hoped. Frist, strongly backed by conservatives in and out of the Senate, has threatened to employ a parliamentary tactic - requiring only a majority vote - to change Senate practices on judicial filibusters. Republicans hold 55 seats in the 100-member Senate, and Cheney would be available to break a tie if necessary. Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada commands a solid block of 45 votes against the proposal, and Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island have publicly stated their opposition as well. A few GOP lawmakers are uncommitted, and Reid said this week that if Frist calls a vote, "it's going to be very close." GOP polling shows 37 percent support for the GOP plan to deny Democrats the ability to filibuster judicial nominees, while 51 percent oppose, officials said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Several officials who attended the polling briefing said the survey also contained encouraging news for Republicans. The poll found more than 80 percent of those surveyed believed all judicial nominees deserve a yes-or-no vote. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, noting the survey data has not been made public.snip |
| Posted by: trailing wife |
| #5 Thanks OS. And remember to safety your Zuni. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-04-23 3:11:48 PM |
| #4 McCain should just go ahead and change panties. |
| Posted by: Glosing Slang5997 2005-04-23 1:37:15 PM |
| #3 but now they have to vote and let everyone know where they really stand...I think this is great. Janice Brown - a black woman - maybe the Kleagle can lead the charge against her? Let's see where the chips fall, but I feel good about this. Quit the f&*king dithering and let's get it on |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-04-23 1:33:16 PM |
| #2 McCain shoudl just go ahead and change parties. He is as sanctimonious an ass as has ever served. in the Senate with an (R) next to his name. He plays on his POW time for sympathy. Sorry John, you F'd up and got shot down. You were brave in captivity, but that doenst excuse your actions now. McCain, if you look at this actual deeds, and the words and actions takean against POW/MIA groups, has been a total tool. Ditch the ass. Same goes for Chaffee and Snow - RINOs. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2005-04-23 1:16:46 PM |
| #1 Sounds like the GOP has gone to DefCon 2.Good. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-04-23 10:20:28 AM |