Last night, "maverick" John McCain and 13 other Senators announced a compromise on the judicial nominees, which will prevent a show down on the "nuclear option" - at least for now. The reactions from both leading and long tail bloggers is primarily dissatisfaction with the deal. But there are some exceptions. Here is the actual deal itself.
The GOP parade of pusillanimity marches on. With this pathetic cave-in, the Republicans have sealed their fate as a Majority in Name Only.
Powerline's Hinderaker thinks he's going to be sick:
What a hideous deal! The Democrats have agreed to cloture on only three nominees, and they have made no commitment not to filibuster in the future, if there are "extraordinary circumstances." Of course, the Dems think any nominee who is a Republican is "extraordinary." The Dems have just wriggled off the hook on some of the nominees that, politically, some of them did not want to be seen voting against.
John McCain --a great American, a lousy senator, and a terrible Republican-- took himself out of serious contention in the GOP primaries of 2008. The McCain Caucus showed itself last night, and is united not by "moderation" but by enormous, towering ego.
The Political Teen has the video of the presser.
Scared Monkeys has a round up. So does PME.
The Anchoress isn't pleased.
As usual, the GOP gave up, and the Democrats give up NOTHING. Here’s the agreement. It will make you sick.
But Mark, at Decision '08, thinks it's a good thing for Republicans:
Why is this a big win? Take the half-full view. These three judges are like poison to the Left; they will be confirmed, and a precedent will be set for what is or isn't acceptable for the Supreme Court fight down the line, a much more conservative precedent than existed before this deal...
Polipundit's McClure also puts a positive spin on it. Rather than steal his entire post here (though it's so good I was tempted...) click through and read his five arguments.
Unfortunately, some of my conservative brethren are screaming that Republicans caved in, that it is time to stay home on election day, or perhaps join a new party.If these Republicans would look at settlement rationally, they would recognize that it is a complete victory.
First ...
Congratulations. With the deal agreed to in the Senate, the Republican party just lost any money I was going to give next election season, and Senator Snowe has lost my vote.
DadaHead calls Slublog a wingnut for the picture he posted. The Therapist says the Republicans have been date raped.
These RINO's will undoubtedly be hailed by their real constituency, the MSM, as brave. But we know them for what they are - spineless cowards. Think about it - who is happier with this deal - Bill Frist or Harry Reid. There was only one way to judge the winners and losers here and that's by asking this question: Will every judicial nominee get an up or down vote? Since the answer is "No", we lose.
Article comments
1 - Convex
Am I the only one that sees this as a straight loss for the democrats? Look to the beginning to put this in perspective: if you accept that the fillibuster SHOULD be there, than the democrats have effectively approved 3 controversial nominees in order to preserve power base. Nothing is lost by the GOP. Sad day.
2 - Mark Saleski
yep, i think they caved (again)....knocked over by the republicans endless stream of "up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote, up or down vote"
3 - Dave Nalle
It's a loss for the Dems, but not because of the three nominees. There's nothing at all controversial about the people that are getting confirmed. All 3 of them are more moderate than some of the judges Clinton appointed. If you think they're controversial you've been reading silliness from moveon.org.
The reason it's a loss for the Dems is that they've basically agreed to give up the filibuster on the next supreme court nominee, so now Rehnquist can retire and Bush can appoint a moderate Republican from the appelate court and they have to shut up about it.
And it's not a sad day. It's a victory for reason and compromise over partisanship and greed.
Dave
4 - Convex
I find your definition of the word "basically" amusing. In this case it means "not". If Bush tries to appoint a moderate (which is unlikely) then they may not fillbuster, just as they haven't for several of Bush's other appointees.
But if not, it all comes down to the definition of "extraordinary circumstances".
And who is saying Clinton's appointees haven't been controversial? As I recall, some of them had been stopped by republicans.
Stop building up these straw men that you can knock down. Stick to the issue.
5 - RJ
Oh, just great.
The GOP, in complete control of the Senate, the House, and the White House, blows its one and only opportunity to get actual CONSERVATIVES on the USSC.
Souter as Chief Justice? Maybe. Because the Dems sure as hell won't allow Scalia or Thomas to get that position...
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