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April 26, 2005
Why a Bad Compromise?
In a post below, I express my disappointment and frustration (again) with the leadership of Senator Bill Frist. If he goes through with the compromise plan that's being reported, it will be a capitulation of Chamberlain proportions.
Maneuvering in advance of a Senate floor showdown on judicial nominees intensified Monday as Senate Democrats prepared a compromise offer to Republicans that would allow votes on some judges and showcased new tactics for confronting Republicans should filibusters be barred.No. This isn't about particular candidates. This is about the expectation that each nominee will receive an up or down vote in the Senate - no exceptions.Congressional officials said Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, could make a proposal as early as Tuesday to allow votes on two of three Michigan nominees for a single appeals court. It could be coupled with other guarantees to Republicans, potentially including a vote on one of four candidates drawing the deepest opposition. In return, the majority would have to forswear any rules changes that prevented filibusters.
The deal should be - no more filibusters, and we won't change the rules. But provide more debate time on each nominee so the Democrats have their chance to make their case and try to convince other senators to vote against confirmation. Frist is allowing the minority, who is breaking with Senate tradition and the Constitution, to dictate terms to the majority. It's not up to Harry Reid to decide which nominees should receive a vote and which should not - the president, not the Senate minority leader, makes nominations to the federal court.
If Reid wants to keep a particular judge off the bench, then let him make his case to his fellow senators and to the American people. If the Democrats want to act as the majority, they've got to start by winning elections.
UPDATE - Frist says no compromise, but the story includes this: "But he also said he was continuing his closed-door discussions with Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid in an effort to avert a showdown over filibusters."
Pardon me if I'm still skeptical of Frist's ability to grow a backbone in the next few weeks.
Posted by slublog at April 26, 2005 09:05 AM
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