The Compromise
On first hearing, I admit that yesterday's compromise had a feeling of Democratic "battered wife syndrome"; I couldn't really get why such a compromise would be worth having.
The odious Patricia Owen, the horrible Janice Rogers Brown, and the disgusting William Pryor, all guaranteed a vote. No withdrawal of the other nominations. Filibusters only under "extraordinary" circumstances (like these aren't?) and all just to keep the wild-eyed zealots from attempting to destroy the Senate, and avoiding whatever public blame might fall on the Democrats for shutting the place down.
Upon reflection, I see this as a huge win for the Forces of Good and the Republic. (Forgive me, I saw the Star Wars film last night.)
But seriously, the big win for Democrats and other sane people in this deal is that, at long last, the moderates in the Republican party have said "We're not going to take it anymore." Republican moderates have finally stood up for the good of the country, and defied not only the Senate leadership, but the White House, and the phalanx of extremist right-wing groups that were salivating at the prospect of total power. At the last possible moment, a few remaining sane Republicans said, "We will not destroy this country."
Yes, we'll have to live with some horrible judges getting confirmed. But, the text of the agreement features a nice passage defining the meaning of the "advice" part of "advice and consent", suggesting the President should consult with Congress before nominating, reasserting the Senate's constitutional status. It also disposes of the Fristian assertion that the only role the Senate plays in the process is an up-or-down vote.
Besides, as others have noted, Priscilla Owen won't make the already awful 5th Circuit that much worse. And there are hints that, while they will vote for cloture, some of the moderates may not vote to confirm. We can hope.
On the other hand, a serious fissure has opened up in the Republican party. The zealot brigade is already howling loudly, as kindly cataloged by Crooks and Liars. Some are saying Frist has lost any chance at a 2008 nomination. Others are calling it "surrender", "capitulation", "sellout", and several different kinds of rape. (Never let it be said the zealots are shy about their rhetoric.)
Mullah Dobson of Focus on the Family has already issued his fatwah, saying "I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust." He suggests that, under this current deal, Scalia, Thomas, and Rehnquist would never have made it to the Supreme Court, reasoning I can't follow, since the deal merely allows the rules to remain as they were during their confirmations. (But this isn't the first time I couldn't follow Dobson's thinking.)
Comments on some blogs suggest that disgusted foot soldiers are considering walking away from the Republicans, becoming Independents, and taking their groundwork and fundraising with them. If the moderates can hold their ground, the Party will have to cope with a lot of disappointed Christianists, who feel they were promised power.
That is something far more important to have than the defeat of a few bad judges.
But it's still early days. I'm uncertain how long this deal can last. Whether it is the beginning of a moderate resurgence, that might lead on to a Bolton defeat and so much more, or merely a pause on the descent to hell, remains to be seen. But, today, surprisingly, it seems like a day to celebrate.
The odious Patricia Owen, the horrible Janice Rogers Brown, and the disgusting William Pryor, all guaranteed a vote. No withdrawal of the other nominations. Filibusters only under "extraordinary" circumstances (like these aren't?) and all just to keep the wild-eyed zealots from attempting to destroy the Senate, and avoiding whatever public blame might fall on the Democrats for shutting the place down.
Upon reflection, I see this as a huge win for the Forces of Good and the Republic. (Forgive me, I saw the Star Wars film last night.)
But seriously, the big win for Democrats and other sane people in this deal is that, at long last, the moderates in the Republican party have said "We're not going to take it anymore." Republican moderates have finally stood up for the good of the country, and defied not only the Senate leadership, but the White House, and the phalanx of extremist right-wing groups that were salivating at the prospect of total power. At the last possible moment, a few remaining sane Republicans said, "We will not destroy this country."
Yes, we'll have to live with some horrible judges getting confirmed. But, the text of the agreement features a nice passage defining the meaning of the "advice" part of "advice and consent", suggesting the President should consult with Congress before nominating, reasserting the Senate's constitutional status. It also disposes of the Fristian assertion that the only role the Senate plays in the process is an up-or-down vote.
Besides, as others have noted, Priscilla Owen won't make the already awful 5th Circuit that much worse. And there are hints that, while they will vote for cloture, some of the moderates may not vote to confirm. We can hope.
On the other hand, a serious fissure has opened up in the Republican party. The zealot brigade is already howling loudly, as kindly cataloged by Crooks and Liars. Some are saying Frist has lost any chance at a 2008 nomination. Others are calling it "surrender", "capitulation", "sellout", and several different kinds of rape. (Never let it be said the zealots are shy about their rhetoric.)
Mullah Dobson of Focus on the Family has already issued his fatwah, saying "I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust." He suggests that, under this current deal, Scalia, Thomas, and Rehnquist would never have made it to the Supreme Court, reasoning I can't follow, since the deal merely allows the rules to remain as they were during their confirmations. (But this isn't the first time I couldn't follow Dobson's thinking.)
Comments on some blogs suggest that disgusted foot soldiers are considering walking away from the Republicans, becoming Independents, and taking their groundwork and fundraising with them. If the moderates can hold their ground, the Party will have to cope with a lot of disappointed Christianists, who feel they were promised power.
That is something far more important to have than the defeat of a few bad judges.
But it's still early days. I'm uncertain how long this deal can last. Whether it is the beginning of a moderate resurgence, that might lead on to a Bolton defeat and so much more, or merely a pause on the descent to hell, remains to be seen. But, today, surprisingly, it seems like a day to celebrate.
posted by Paul at 8:03 AM |
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