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My personal musings about anything that gets on my radar screen--heavily dominated by politics.

2005-04-08

This Must Have Them Worried

At a time when it was beginning to look like the "nuclear option" was losing steam, the Wash Post comes out with a laughable editorial against changing the filibuster.

WITH BOTH parties furiously mobilizing their bases, the war over judicial nominations seems headed for an apocalyptic showdown. Republicans, incensed at Democratic obstruction, threaten the "nuclear option": a procedural trick to abolish the filibuster for nominations. Democrats threaten to retaliate by bringing the Senate to a standstill. Were President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) inclined toward statesmanship, they could tamp down the crisis. They have shown little such inclination, though this week has seen encouraging signs from Mr. Frist.

As a rule we are not fans of tactics, such as the filibuster, that are intended to prevent up-or-down votes on judicial nominees. Decency demands that nominees receive reasonable and prompt consideration; the Senate owes the presidency and the judiciary timely votes as well. But Republicans are wrong to single out the filibuster as an abomination that must be placed out of bounds in all circumstances. It is one of various procedural hurdles senators can use, but historically have used rarely, to slow a nominee's progress. These obstacles can be abused, but they can also encourage consultation between the White House and senators.

"Were President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist inclined toward statesmanship....?" That's pretty harsh, don't ya think? As if Ted Kennedy's goofy rantings about the founders or Robert Byrd's invoking the "Nazi" charge were so high-minded and statesman-like. And note, the only hint of ceding "statesmanship" is when a Republican seems ready to cave in.

"It is one of various procedural hurdles senators can use, but historically have used rarely, to slow a nominee's progress." No, actually, it is a procedural hurdle that has NEVER been used, and if it was used to slow a nominee's progress, this is still different because the Dems are using this to STOP nominees' progress. Little bit different ballgame.

The only thing I can think is that the WaPo must have some sources that indicate the GOP would be successful in changing the rules in this fashion. Otherwise, why bother? Leave this issue alone and return to your regularly scheduled program of Bush bashing.
Posted by: Michael / 4/08/2005 01:52:00 AM

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