Friday, January 27, 2006

Kerry Spearheading Effort to Filibuster Alito

Well, never let it be said again that Kerry won't stand behind his beliefs. At least someone in the Democratic Party has the balls to stand up and say enough. Far too many of the party members are like Mary Landrieu:

"Because we have such a full plate of pressing issues before Congress, a filibuster at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive."

Yes, because the future of human rights and the balance of power in the United States is less important than apportioning funds to some farmer in Iowa. What a sad state the Democratic Party is in.

John Kerry Calls for Filibuster of Alito

Kerry is trying to gather support for a filibuster of Alito's nomination.
Washington - Sen. John Kerry will attempt a filibuster to block the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, CNN has learned.

Kerry, in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum, was marshaling support in phone calls during the day, he told CNN.

Kerry said he told a group of Democratic senators Wednesday, and urged that they join him. Kerry said he has the support of fellow Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Some senior Democrats told CNN they are worried that the move could backfire.

Republicans would need 60 votes to overturn a filibuster - a procedural move that extends Senate debate indefinitely, effectively blocking a vote. Senior White House officials said the move would make the Democrats look bad, and that Republicans believe they have enough votes to overcome any filibuster attempt.

Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, scheduled a vote to end debate on the nomination - called a cloture vote - Monday at 4:30 p.m. If that vote is successful, the final vote would be Tuesday morning.

Nearly all 55 Republican senators have said they will vote for Alito. Only three Democrats - Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota - have said they will vote for the nominee.

Posted by crimnos @ 8:03 AM