Deal on the filibuster rigamarole...maybe

[Reeder]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050523/ap_on_go_co/filibuster_fight

WASHINGTON - Centrists Republicans and Democrats reached a compromise Monday night to avoid a showdown on
President Bush’s stalled judicial nominees and the Senate’s own filibuster rules, officials from both parties said.
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These officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agreement would clear the way for yes-or-no votes on some of Bush’s nominees, but make no guarantee.

Under the agreement, Democrats would pledge not to filibuster any of Bush’s future appeals court or Supreme Court nominees except in “extraordinary circumstances.”

For their part, Republicans agreed not to support an attempt to strip Democrats of their right to block votes.

Hell…I was hoping they would go nuke. The Dims threatened to read every bill out loud.

It would probably be the only time any of our congress critters would have read or heard all of any bill before them.

[rjung]

I would’t trust Bill Frist to keep an agreement any farther than I can throw a pickup truck.

[Reeder]

It looks to me like Frist can’t do squat. The vote goes on as called by Frist but there won’t be enough votes to pass it.

[askeptic]

What kind of fucking compromise is this. The Dems are just caveing in. The agree to allow an up or down vote that the Reps will win in exchange for a promise they can’t enforce in the future. When the Dems Filibuster the impending rightwingnutjob that is going to be nominated to SCOTUS the Reps will bring out the nuclear option once again.

[EddyTeddyFreddy]

There may be more at work here than reaching a solution for the filibuster. Today’s Boston Globe had this article about the coalescing of a moderate power center in the Senate, embracing both Republicans and Democrats.

Here’s the first few paragraphs of the story:

With Democratic and Republican leaders locked in a fierce battle over judges, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers has begun to form a new power center in the Senate, with implications that could extend far beyond the current debate.

The group of about 15 senators has been quietly forging a compromise even as their more partisan colleagues bludgeon each other daily on the Senate floor. They comprise at least six members of each party, the current margin of power in the Senate, and thus could decide any vote that falls along party lines.

Close Senate observers say the coalition’s work could shift power from the majority and minority leaders and revitalize the political middle, with moderates who have found themselves out of the mainstream of their own parties enjoying heightened influence on major legislation.

If they are able to work productively together on other issues, their influence could expand, with the docket including such contentious issues as Social Security, stem cell research, reauthorization of the Patriot Act, and John Bolton’s nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations.

''Any time you have a middle that is willing to vote with either side – that will look at cross pressures as well as partisan pressures – you have power there," said Mark Hurwitz, a political science professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. ''It says a lot about what the Senate is going through, with its increased polarization, that this group has formed."

[Harborwolf]

I’d love to believe that this is a step up by the moderates, but all I’m seeing is the caving of the opposition party.

[BobLibDem]

Give the mad elephants most of what they want now and tough it out for two years. After the 2006 elections, the GOP majority will be reduced or eliminated. Good move by the Dems.

[John_Mace]

@rjung

I would’t trust Bill Frist to keep an agreement any farther than I can throw a pickup truck.

Did you actually read the article, or just come in with a canned reply? This deal isn’t about Frist-- it actually goes against his wishes. At any rate, it sure looks like the McCain '08 presidential bid is underway. He’s showing the country who runs think in th Senate.

[John_Mace]

He’s showing the country who runs things in the Senate. :smack:

[Squink]

who runs things in the Senate.

That too. Nice hole he put in Frist’s hull.

[Reeder]

@Squink

That too. Nice hole he put in Frist’s hull.

It couldn’t happen to a more deserving fella.

[John_Mace]

@Squink

That too. Nice hole he put in Frist’s hull.

Interestingly, though, this is one of those rare times when principle and ambition can walk hand in hand. It’s the right thing to do, and gives McCain a great little boost in the eyes of the electorate. With the TV movie made from his book coming out this weekend, he’s probably wishing the next presidential election was this November!!

[Merijeek]

@John Mace

Interestingly, though, this is one of those rare times when principle and ambition can walk hand in hand. It’s the right thing to do, and gives McCain a great little boost in the eyes of the electorate. With the TV movie made from his book coming out this weekend, he’s probably wishing the next presidential election was this November!!

I dunno, I’ve got a bad feeling about McCain’s health four years from now. I just have a feeling on this.

As for the rest, all of the “moderates taking more control” is just more wishful thinking. It’s just another one of those “The RR is finally losing control of the GOP” or “The Dems have finally grown balls” wishfests.

I have to agree with those above - this is just the Dems caving. When it comes down to it I think they’re doing it because they have no choice, but it’s still sad. If the opposition won’t even put out some effort to, you know, oppose…

-Joe, opposite of opposing opposites

[danceswithcats]

I applaud any bipartisan effort at compromise, as opposed to a protracted pissing contest. Let the elected representatives get back to doing what they do best-spending our money and lying to us about how and why they do it.

[Ludovic]

Well, you got another think comin’

[Bricker]

@BobLibDem

Give the mad elephants most of what they want now and tough it out for two years. After the 2006 elections, the GOP majority will be reduced or eliminated. Good move by the Dems.

No, the GOP will gain at least one net seat in the Senate. I guarantee it.

[Reeder]

@Bricker

No, the GOP will gain at least one net seat in the Senate. I guarantee it.

They are going to have to gain at least 2 seats to do that.

Frist ain’t running.

Unless his ship sinks of course.

[elucidator]

Speaking on behalf of sentient pustules across the nation, James Dobson is pissed.

@The Afforementioned Pustule

…This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats…

He goes on in a batshit pizza rant about

…We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans…

Goody. Dobson is shitting his pants.

[E-Sabbath]

I’ll take that bet, Bricker. I see a relative loss. Even considering the lack of a Jeffords.

[Mr.Moto]

Can I get in on it? Because the planets would have to align just so for Democratic gains, and their planets haven’t been with them lately.