tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911506.post113081157240111380..comments2023-11-05T04:29:40.867-08:00Comments on Choosing Hope: Anticipating the FirestormWalkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07043584417557166784noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911506.post-1130997856878512392005-11-02T22:04:00.000-08:002005-11-02T22:04:00.000-08:00It looks like the Dems are going to be able to pus...It looks like the Dems are going to be able to push this one back until January which will give the special interests all kinds of time to mount their campaigns. I am afraid it will be ugly. It's a shame, because I have no desire to denigrate the man, who is likely a reasonable enough fellow on a personal level, very intelligent, and knowledgeable about Constitutional law. But he is likely to render opinions which I and a majority of others would find not in the best interests of the common people, and given that these are lifetime appointments, the Senate ought to have the ability to deny the choice without crucifying his character. The fact is, though, that the Democrats are the ones right now with more political capital, and I don't think the Repubs would dare to go nuclear. My political half just wants them to filibuster to exercise that power. It's pretty close to a toss-up as to what will actually happen, and there's hardly any result that would really surprise me.<BR/><BR/>As far as I know, Ben Nelson from Nebraska is the only Democrat (one of the 7 signees) who has spoken strongly in favor of Alito, and given his voting history and his upcoming reelection campaign in a very red state, that is hardly surprising. Only 41 Senators are needed for a filibuster, though, so Nelson isn't critical.<BR/><BR/>Feingold will be telling on this, and though he is quite liberal, his typical inclination is to provide a lot of deference on appointees, with a strong disinclination to play politics. Since he is on the Judiciary, along with Leahy who has the same tendencies, we will get an early indication in committee as to how it might go.Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07043584417557166784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6911506.post-1130834795290132292005-11-01T00:46:00.000-08:002005-11-01T00:46:00.000-08:00Well, I hope you're right but I don't believe it. ...Well, I hope you're right but I don't believe it. A whole bunch of Democrats have already voted yes for him and I don't think the Gang of 14 Democrats will go for a fillabuster. He will be confirmed by something like 65-35.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01318200407710689317noreply@blogger.com