Senate RINOs Betray GOP
By Carol Devine-Molin (05/24/05)
Ultimately, Republicans caved and 214 years of Senate tradition have been cast out the window. It appears that “judicial filibuster” is here to stay. In a deal struck with Senate Republicans, Democrats will be permitted to engage in filibuster of future judicial nominees under “extraordinary circumstances”. Well what does that mean? It means that the Senate Democrats will utilize the judicial filibuster liberally and will continue in their obstructionist mode. The “nuclear option” - that would have banned judicial filibusters - was averted. Never mind that all decent Republicans felt that it was imperative to implement the “nuclear option” or “Constitutional option” as it’s frequently dubbed.
Senator John McCain claims that this compromise with Senate Democrats was in the "finest traditions of the Senate." Personally, I’m sickened. That characterization is sure to sicken most grassroots Republicans as well. We know when we’ve been knifed in the back. Yep, this is the so-called bi-partisanship that the RINOs pride themselves on achieving. To these RINO Senators I ask, where are your principles? And is “judicial filibuster” even in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution and “advice and consent” of the Senate? I think not.
The GOP is often its worst enemy. Regarding this “deal”, most Republicans are beside themselves, while Democrats are elated. Here are the RINO Senators, one and all, who have betrayed the GOP: Senators McCain, Chafee, DeWine, Graham, Warner, Collins and Snowe. The Republican grassroots really should extract a price from this motley crew in some shape or manner. These “elites” have now provided the Senate Democrats with a powerful weapon to be used to derail President Bush’s judicial nominees and, most importantly, his forthcoming Supreme Court nominees. And, of course, this was always about the anticipated fight surrounding Bush’s Supreme Court nominees in the not too distant future, where the rubber will truly meet the road as they say.
I’ve always wondered why Republican bigwigs often sell out the grassroots of the party. In contrast, Democratic leaders are faithful to their ideological base, consistently play hardball, and wield their power to the fullest. The Democrats have always understood the use of power. In contrast, the GOP still does not know how to act as a majority party. It’s a pity. For Republican compliance with the “deal”, they essentially received assurances that judicial nominees Janice Rogers Brown, William Pryor and Priscilla R. Owen will get floor votes. There was nothing for nominees William Myers and Henry Saad. Was it worth it? No, absolutely not! Where are the up-or-down votes on ALL Bush judicial nominees? That’s what Republican Senators should have insisted upon in any negotiations with Democrats.
The only positive note is that Senate majority leader Bill Frist has stated that "bad faith and bad behavior" on the part of Democrats would force him to bring back the “nuclear option” into play. I hope he’s sincere. Clearly, Frist was disappointed by this atrocious brokered agreement that primarily benefits the Democrats.
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