Dogger Wrote:Fair,

Did you google that Middle East proverb about my brother and I against our cousin?? I'm always looking to expand my thinking. I'm liberal remember!!!!

Directed toward me?

If so, I'm unsure of your reference.

No, it wasn't directed towards anyone in particular, we were debating Iraq. I cited this proverb for people to get a better understanding of the area.

Bush does need to compromise. The dems can fillibuster any nominee they want. This includes supreme court. As far as legilation that can be fillibustered also, I think. Basically, the repubs did not win enough seats to rule the roost. You can bet this will be considered in the next election for congress and senators.

JTiger Wrote:Bush does need to compromise.  The dems can fillibuster any nominee they want.  This includes supreme court.  As far as legilation that can be fillibustered also,  I think.  Basically, the repubs did not win enough seats to rule the roost.  You can bet this will be considered in the next election for congress and senators.

We'll see. In the past the filibuster was effective because the Republicans couldn't find more than 55 votes, give or take. That is when the Senate was split 51/49. Now the split is 55/45. All they have to do is find the same 5-6 Democratic Senators to vote with them, which wasn't difficult in the past, and the filibuster is ended in a flash. So, I wouldn't be leaning on the filibuster crutch too hard. It's not going to prop you up everytime.

I forgot to add that all the Republicans have to do is appeal to the President of the Senate and claim that it is unconstitutional to filibuster a judicial nominee. Then the Senate Pres can rule in their favor and kill the filibuster. If the Dems try to block that, the Republicans only need at simple majority to block them and kill the filibuster. :ownd:

ccs178 Wrote:

JTiger Wrote:Bush does need to compromise.  The dems can fillibuster any nominee they want.  This includes supreme court.  As far as legilation that can be fillibustered also,  I think.  Basically, the repubs did not win enough seats to rule the roost.  You can bet this will be considered in the next election for congress and senators.

We'll see. In the past the filibuster was effective because the Republicans couldn't find more than 55 votes, give or take. That is when the Senate was split 51/49. Now the split is 55/45. All they have to do is find the same 5-6 Democratic Senators to vote with them, which wasn't difficult in the past, and the filibuster is ended in a flash. So, I wouldn't be leaning on the filibuster crutch too hard. It's not going to prop you up everytime.

I forgot to add that all the Republicans have to do is appeal to the President of the Senate and claim that it is unconstitutional to filibuster a judicial nominee. Then the Senate Pres can rule in their favor and kill the filibuster. If the Dems try to block that, the Republicans only need at simple majority to block them and kill the filibuster. :ownd:

Let's also remember that the rules for the Senate are set at the beginning of the new terms. In January the Republicans could push through new rules that change the cloture requirements when hearing judicial nominations.

We can hope, anyway.

If the repubs change the rules, it could backfire on them down the road. Let's just suppose the dems get the slim majority in the senate and a dem in the white house. With the country basically 50-50 it's not impossible. These same lack of filibuster rules could backfire on the repubs allowing the dems in control to rule without anything in the way. I hope that Frist thinks about this long term.

JTiger Wrote:If the repubs change the rules, it could backfire on them down the road. Let's just suppose the dems get the slim majority in the senate and a dem in the white house. With the country basically 50-50 it's not impossible. These same lack of filibuster rules could backfire on the repubs allowing the dems in control to rule without anything in the way. I hope that Frist thinks about this long term.

Notice I said "when hearing judicial nominations". The change wouldn't apply to all filibusters.

lol