The Republicans simply do not have the backbone to stand up and fight for what they believe in. This wasn't some simple legislative vote that they were defeated in; they allowed seven party members to undermine the other fourty-eight with a backroom deal. Such behavior should never be tolerated within the party, and as soon as it was announced the seven should have been immediately rebuked for those tactics.
Instead, they commend these snakes for their efforts. It's more important for them to maintain the status quo than actually get something good accomplished. When you have 55 members of the Senate, and you can't get even the basic points of the agenda done, you have some serious issues. This was one of the key issues that the Republicans ran on in 2004, and it helped lead to Tom Daschle's defeat. When you still can't get anything done with the widespread victories you obtained in the last election, you truly don't deserve to be in the majority, at least in the Senate.
Can someone explain what the Republicans actually got out of this deal? Owens, Brown, and Pryor were guaranteed a vote, and deservedly so, but that was mere bones thrown to the Republicans in comparison to the long-term ramifications. After the grandstanding by the Democrats - creating an crisis unprecedented in American history - do you honestly think you can trust them to abide by the actual intent of the term "extraordinary circumstances"? Do you think a party that has done everything and has said anything to trash their political opponents has enough integrity at their core to stand by their word?
On top of that, the same Democrats who suckered the Republicans into this deal will still do everything they can to vote these judges down, so it's not a guarantee that all three nominees will sit on a federal bench. The Republicans got hustled, and they were hustled by a handful of their own senators.
On top of that, the same Democrats who suckered the Republicans into this deal will still do everything they can to vote these judges down, so it's not a guarantee that all three nominees will sit on a federal bench. The Republicans got hustled, and they were hustled by a handful of their own senators.
Sooner or later the American people will get tired of giving the Republican Party chances to prove themselves capable of getting something done. Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay have done a great job conducting business in the House. They have been at the forefront of progress in Congress since Bush was elected in 2000. But whether it's been Bill Frist or Trent Lott, the Republican senators have been a complete embarrasment to the principles and values they profess to stand on. I understand you have to "work with these people", but that's no excuse to for conservative Republicans to allow themselves to be railroaded on an issue that has been deemed very important to the electorate and your base.
Two weeks ago, I stated it was time for Bill Frist to prove whether he was man or mouse. I heard a few squeaks on the Senate floor tonight.