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[Willco]

Here are some key excerpts from The Washington Post article SEEN HERE...

Republicans say that Democrats have abused the filibuster by blocking 10 of the president's 229 judicial nominees in his first term -- although confirmation of Bush nominees exceeds in most cases the first-term experience of presidents dating to Ronald Reagan. Describing the filibusters as intolerable, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) has hinted he may resort to an unusual parliamentary maneuver, dubbed the "nuclear option," to thwart such filibusters.

... with West Wing aides said they see indications that Bush is headed toward nominating what one called a "strong ideological conservative" rather than accommodating Democrats with a choice who would be confirmed with little controversy.

At issue is a seldom-used, complicated and highly controversial parliamentary maneuver in which Republicans could seek a ruling from the chamber's presiding officer, presumably Vice President Cheney, that filibusters against judicial nominees are unconstitutional. Under this procedure, it would take only a simple majority or 51 votes to uphold the ruling -- far easier for the 55-member GOP majority to get than the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster or the 67 votes needed to change the rules under normal procedures.

It would then take only 51 votes to confirm a nominee, ensuring approval of most if not all of Bush's choices.

[INSERT BANNED GAF CLICHE HERE!]

 

[xsarien]

Leave it to the GOP to have a lack of foresight. The next time a judge is up for approval, and there's a Democrat in power making the choices, they won't be able to do anything.

 

[maharg]

A real nuclear option would be to, you know, reach across the aisle like they promised to and compromise.

 

[MetatronM]

Yeah, I saw this last night. I forget who it was, but a couple Democratic leaders basically said "if they do this, they will rue the day."



Ah, here it is...

"If they, for whatever reason, decide to do this, it's not only wrong, they will rue the day they did it, because we will do whatever we can do to strike back," incoming Senate Democratic leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) said last week. "I know procedures around here. And I know that there will still be Senate business conducted. But I will, for lack of a better word, screw things up."

Gee, this sounds like a great idea. Way to bridge the divide, GOP!

 

[Willco]

I hope this whole thing devolves into those crazy food fights the Taiwan government (I think) always manages to get involved in.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

when you guys say nuclear......? i mean, it's the republicans we're talking about........

 

[Willco]

when you guys say nuclear......? i mean, it's the republicans we're talking about........

... Tit- OH. MY. GAWD.

It's coming true! Everyone to the bunkers, and don't forget your obsolete computer equipment!

 

[xsarien]

I hope this whole thing devolves into those crazy food fights the Taiwan government (I think) always manages to get involved in.

Yeah, right. The best we can ever hope for is UK-esque shouting matches and insults.

 

[videogamer]

Gee, this sounds like a great idea. Way to bridge the divide, GOP!

Among the retarded things Bush has said, the "uniter not a divider" campaign promise strikes me the most. It's more like "do it my way or get Daschle'd".

 

[boredJonathan]

Can't wait to hear more of George Bush butchering the pronunciation of the word nuclear. Good times..

 

[explodet]

Leave it to the GOP to have a lack of foresight. The next time a judge is up for approval, and there's a Democrat in power making the choices, they won't be able to do anything.

They can just change their minds - like that indictment thing.

 

[iapetus]

Yeah, right. The best we can ever hope for is UK-esque shouting matches and insults.

Hah. You dream of having our level of cut-and-thrust political debate.

 

[MrPing1000]

Nazism your friend and mine

 

[Triumph]

Meh. Fuck em all.

When the Revolution comes and they're all up against the wall one day, I'm gonna make it a special point to fiddle as the Congress building burns. And I can't even fiddle!