March 17, 2005

Democrats threaten shutdown

Democrats yesterday said they will halt all Senate business except essential operations and national defense if Republicans use the "nuclear option" to unclog President Bush's judicial nominees.
[...]
 "Senator Reid is not only fighting against the Constitution, but basic fairness and common sense," he [Sen. Coburn, R-OK] said. "I don't know many people in Oklahoma, or any part of the country, who believe a majority of 100 equals 60 instead of 51."
[...]
 Sean Rushton, executive director of the conservative Committee for Justice, called the Reid press conference an elaborate ritual -- "kabuki theater for wealthy, liberal, Democratic financial supporters" who want to see Democrats stand up to Republicans.
[Love this description: hilarious and apt!--Jen]
He said making good on their threat would be "political suicide."
[That's never stopped them before--thank God!]
    
"Smart Democrats want the Republicans to take the filibuster away from them," Mr. Rushton said. "They know judicial filibusters are hurting them politically."
    
Mr. Coburn added,"Senator Reid's threat may inspire the Michael Moore wing of his party, but it will anger and confuse mainstream Americans."

I think they're just using idle threats, too, but even if they aren't, we're ready to "suffer" a shutdown to get our judges confirmed the normal way!
This Dem use (really abuse) of the cloture/filibuster has got to end!
Remember, voters, that the Dimocrat Senators did this in wartime (even if they said they'd attend to matters of "national defense"), but remember, above all, that they pulled this childish stunt at any time at all come Nov. 2006 and Nov. 2008.