Filibuster Avoided

Somebody send a rush package of CALCIUM to the SENATE moderates. And while they're at it, emergency surgery is needed to insert metal rods into their spines. Maybe then the MODERATE republicans and the democrats WILL KEEP A SPINE AGAINST THE neoCON'S WHO DESIRE TO OVERTHROW OUR GOVERNMENT!

Moderates and Democrats...STAND TALL, STRAIGHT, and DON'T give an inch to the neoCON agenda.

I consider this deal a good thing. It saves the filibuster as a weapon in a more important battle, a battle that will take place at a point when Dubya will have become little more than a lame duck President, and the Democrats will have ideally picked up a couple of Senate seats in the mid-term elections.

Historically, Presidents always lose seats in the mid-terms, although 9/11 hysteria allowed Dubya to escape that fate in 2002. But with the mounting problems that the nation faces, most of which are the direct results of implemented Bush Administration and neo-conservative policies, he is unlikely to be so fortunate in 2006.

And Bush has achieved new lows in "popularity".

And in other news, Wayne Allard (Butthead-CO)is still a horse's ass.

A compromise? My hunch says we will win a little, they will win a little. Keep the carrot in front of the religious right for future donations and voter turn out. If they gave them everything they want at this turn, the motivation would be gone. This is about P. O. W. E. R.

It sure is, Truth.

This is "live to fight another day" scenario.

Hard to say right now if that is possible...

REPOST FROM LAST THREAD - O.T., but important~

To be effective with many people you have to give them a primer on how it affects them personally or they cannot relate. Isn't that part of what we took on? Make it relate to the average person. We can blog and call and whip up the choir, but are we doing enough to talk to people in terms that relate to the lives that they live? When tomorrow is over, if the nuclear option has been exploded, won't it be on us to keep on spending time and energy on people who just think these juducial things don't have much to do with them?

Posted by: tutterfly at May 23, 2005 07:11 PM

And, Tutt, it is great to sing with the choir and hang with the choir, but - in order to grow you must start at the grassroots, and educate, educate, educate. I myself readily admit I am a newcomer and have a hunger and desire to learn, and have many questions at the basic Government 101 level. That may seem like a boring proposition to some to teach at a basic level, but it MUST be done. I would bet good money that if classes were offered here at a basic level, and people were encouraged to participate, this place would EXPLODE. It is wonderful to be able to share your wisdom with your peers, your comrades. But in order to grow an effective army for change, I feel it's a must to make it OKAY to be at a basic level of understanding here and be taught much. I believe the DCP is known enough and respected enough that others who come to view what is happening here would be able to see that there are many levels of understanding and learning and teaching going on here. The core here is VERY mature and VERY knowledgeable. I want to learn more so I can teach more myself. And so it goes.....And speaking for myself, if I understood more, I would be effective sooner, and way more active too.

Sorry Casey I am not with you on this one. I practice before the fifth circuit. Maybe you don't care about the fifth circuit up there but I do.

Gonzalez we are told will be the next appointment to the Supreme Ct.Casey so exactly what are we going to stop and what did we accomplish. I am with Linda on this one WE GOT ROLLED and Lieberman and Nelson' facial expressions just told me that. Bork is too old otherwise I would worry about his name being brought back b/c that is what W does.

I just heard Lindsey Graham say that if he doesn't agree with a Dem filibuster the nuclear option is back on the table. So what is it that we won? Owens, Brown and Pryor all on our federal bench, the filibuster is retained as a worthless symbolic shell(relic), and the talking heads all telling us how wonderful,principled, and reasonable the Repubs are on this debate and we won? Linda if you are still out there could you or someone else please give me a logical answer.

Ira, the problem is that Reid was playing a losing hand all along. Short of a spontaneous outpouring of millions of Americans showing up on the Capitol steps, there was no way to change the equation. As far as I can tell, even with the intense coverage being given this issue by the MSM and the blogs, our side was not suitably aroused - not in the kind of numbers that it would have taken to make an impact.

It's great to hear that a major change in our Constitution has been averted but I agree that a compromise is part of the uphill battle that never stops!

Truth Shall Prevail

You have taught things to everyone already because you have a unique perspective that is valuable. We all come from different backgrounds and locales & many of us have lived long enough to have been through quite alot.

As for people and "education," I always have to remember what my son learned in a political science class about influencing people toward a position or cause or candidate - "Tell them something they don't know." & what is education but seeing more, or seeing the same things in a new light or from different perspectives and then having to weigh them! It is the last part that is hard, as we are not encouraged to think for ourselves or use our "free will." It's easier to impose the same authority on everyone, but that is not the best purpose of religion or philosophy and certainly not by imposing it through law!

That is why it is hypocritical when high level members of our administration (or their family members) travel and point out that others (such as women) should have more freedom, more liberty, more democracy - while undermining it at home. It is the ultimate irony. & people continue to fall for it. There is alot of education we can all do, without being pedantic or superior.

Ira

Public opinion seemed to be that judicial matters were not so important as the Senate getting back to its usual business (Pew poll). I don't think most people realize the importance of putting judges on the bench for life (or long terms) & how this undermines checks & balances between the 3 branches of government. (Whereas in the executive branch you have "term limits" and in the legislative branch you at least have 6 year terms & need to be re-elected).

I did ask 9 co-workers at a table, 6 of which had Master's degrees - How do you feel about this filibuster thing? No one had heard about it (this was 2 weeks ago) and one admitted to having no idea what a filibuster was.

So we have also been talking about education. Amidst all the activism, there is still alot of political apathy. I see people caring about housing prices, gasoline prices at the pump, car prices, education prices (for their children), health care (but they blame their employer) - and NOT connecting the dots as far as WHY these prices fluctuate. One told me, "I don't follow any of it. It's too depressing."

It's no wonder such people are easy to manipulate just be mentioning terror or a controversial social issue!

I think that the situation we just went through in the Senate is known as a "double bind."

Ira,

I know you care about the Fifth Circuit and I don't mean to imply otherwise. I sincerly apologize. I apologize if that was insensitive, because I just said to ABQ john in the IRC that this totally sucks for Ira because he practices in Owens Circuit.

What I MEANT to say, but screwed it up, was that what concerns me is Brown in the Ninth and making THAT court more closely divided than ever.

And on its face, things can certainly and rationally be viewed your way, no question about it.

But i am thinking that it's a little too early to tell, and I also think that in five months, we will all be here again, and in the meantime, I get to organize the lawyers in my area which I didn't have time to do on this go around.

Also, I have enough hubris to think that they aren't going to get much better in the intervening time, but the Dems will because they have more room for improvement.

Again, Ira, my professional and personal apologies to you.

Cyrano: Reid just said the only comment I have heard in the last 2 hrs that makes any sense. That this so called compromise sends a strong message to Bush and Cheney to stop trampling on our Constitution. Reid played this brilliantly, I don't blame him. I blame so called moderates like Specter and Collins who I have not trusted or respected since the Anita Hill disaster and Bill Cohen was replaced with Susan Collins. They are dirt bags clear and simple that parade as so called moderates.

We at the dcp keep talking about principles and how impt they are. Apparently symbolic principles like saying we support the filibuster means more than the actual legislative reality of allowing those 3 on the bench. That is a reality. We now get to keep the shiny relic called the filibuster but effectively it is as of tonight a useless relic. If we bring it on the floor of the Senate to actually use we are right back where we started with Ownes, Brown and Pryor on the federal bench and Frist and the Repubs seen as the winners and the reasonable folks.

I will draw you guys an analogy. Texas Dems did everything right to stop ReDistricting. We bragged how we won and that DeLay didn't get the congressionally boundaries he wanted in the end. In the end we lost 5 of my friends including Chris Bell as my personal Congressman. Just like having Owens on the fith Circuit. That is a reality..

Sorry I would have much rather we lost tomorrow 51/49 and had the exact same results with this compromise and then run on that tyranny next Nov. That's why we keep losing election, stunts like Lieberman and Nelson's tonight. And I am usually very calm, and moderate about such compromises which are usually in this country's best interest, not this time.

Unfortunately Bush/Cheney are reading this that they played hardball unlike Clinton with his nominees and they will get every judge on the bench they want. I think it sends the wrong message to Bush/Cheney, that we can be rolled.
I am sure that Rove/Bush/Cheney are smiling a lot tonight.

nice typo, ABC news ..

Senate Majority Leader Bill First,

-- I remember hearing during election year that there was a plot to redistrict on the west coast - to get more conservative judges in.

-- The case for WA Governor also went to trial today & the trial will last 2 weeks & then could go to state Supreme Court. The Republican has three tables of lawyers & there is involvement up to Ken Mehlman.

They are in it for the long term (the conservatives). The 2 coups, now the courts.

My friend went to the Star Wars movie - he said there is a part where the bad guys "control the Senate, control the Courts." It's supposed to be fiction.

I am sure that Rove/Bush/Cheney are smiling a lot tonight.

Posted by: Ira at May 23, 2005 09:14 PM

No kidding. Democrats run scared yet again. Every time they call us names, we say "okay, okay." If they point fingers and "blame" the Democrats, say, for holding us government business, we back off. We need everyone to like us, or we just can't stand it. WTF Why bother fighting? All the Republians are going to be right on script with this. Mark my words. Every one of those incompetent judges will be appointed.

Frankly, I don't see how this saves the filibuster, anyway. The neocons will just do the same thing when it comes to filling the supreme court vacancies - threaten the nuclear option. Who could possibly think we'll win more seats midterm, when the elections are set to be as fraudulent as ever?? LOFL

This allows the extremists the judges they want now. And they still hold all the cards for later. Democracy is toast.

This is NOT a good deal! What this is about is the reps looking good to the people as being non-partisan for the next election and the dems.....(AGAIN )look like wimps. This filibuster means if the dems want to filibuster it will have to be approved by the reps (ahhem) and if you believe the reps will approve anything we want to do we haven't learned anything yet!!! It's also about the village idiot getting what he wants ...including SS...wake up people!!
No wonder I can't get well!

Ira...take it easy on yourself for goodness sake man...you did all you could. PPLease join us in the IRC Chat Ira...

Oncall...you too...get thy burned out butt in here!

Ira, to me, we lose elections because the other side has a much more effective way of communicating, and motivating, it's core voters.

I hadn't been in a church for a number of years until Karen dragged me into Bob Holum's Luther Place church DC last month. As I sat throughout the service, I realized just how powerful a political tool these churches can be.

Between their church connections, and the overwhelming impact of conservative talk radio and Cable TV, the Evil Empire simply enjoys a tremendous advantage over our side. It doesn't matter that their ideas don't hold water, and have failed every time they've been tried.

I never imagined that a Democratic candidate could get Bruce Springstein out there on the campaign trail, and still lose an election. We're simply going to have to find ways to starting reaching people on a human level, one person at a time. I personally don't think it has a lot to do with compromise - although it may also have a bit to do with inept propagation of ideas.

Does this mean FOR SURE that we CANT filibuster Owens, Brown, and Pryor?

We are a minority - sometimes we lose, sometimes we compromise. Yes it does suck.

There are some who say leaders should stand up & tell the truth, stand up for what they believe in. Yet when they do, and some people are inspired, it's usually not enough to make a big difference.

Neither of these positions (compromise) (stand up and fight) seems to be working. I'm with Amy on the election fraud. That's really scary.

Casey I consider you a friend so don't be defensive about Owens we are both on the exact same side of this battle.

Casey these are the battles that Rove/Bush have won that frighten the h*** out of me.

1.Stealing the Whitehouse;
2.Stealing the Governor's Office in Ca;
3.Stealing 5 Congressional Seats here in Texas;
4.Imposing the Excutive Branch's Dictates on the Judiciary and Stacking the Courts;

I see now that Arnold is siding with W and imposing the same right wing philosophy in Ca.towards teachers, nurses and immigrants and that frightens me.

This is all part of a grand plan state by state, policy by policy by Rove to turn this country back to the 1950s. To send our young women to the back alley for abortion, undo the New Deal Deal, The Great Society, Civil Rights, any type of Progressive taxation and end all government regulations.

Maybe I am alone here in being fixated on Tom DeLay, Congressional ReDistricting and the unseating of Governor Gray Davis by what other generations would have seen as revolutionary tactics. And to my friends in Washingt on State I see the same tactics being used. Again I view myself as a moderate who likes to reach reasonable compromises with our advesaries. I just don't see how we can keep doing that and expect voters to see us having principles. I think Repubs learned in the 1960s that sometimes it is better to put up a fight and lose on principles then to reach a compromise which I see this compromise as basically a lose/lose scenario and totally abandon principles.

I am old enough to remember what this country went through in the 1960s and 1970s to move this country forward and which I now see disappearing in the blink of any eye. Where is our Martin Luther King/Robt Kennedy of this generation?

Cyrano

That is only about half of it.

Think of the corporations!! Think of the minority who benefit off the oil wars - they don't have the majority of voters yet somehow they "buy" them.

The majority has not been ruling.

It likely means that these 7 Democratic Senators will not support a filibuster, making it likely that cloture motion will be achieved.

Ira- just got back to the blog for a second. Yes, I agree with you 100%. I'd rather our party had gone down fighting tomorrow than to give up everything tonight, and that's exactly what we did. We only get to filibuster with their consent- what kind of a deal is that? There's something to be said for being courageous enough to fight a battle that you know you're going to lose. At least we would have had our pride left. Tonight, the Repugs are the great compromisers, and we are, clearly, the losers. We've lost more than the battle tonight- we lost another chunk of our honor. After caving in on the war two years ago, we really don't have that much self- respect left to lose. It just makes me physically ill.

"No one had heard about it (this was 2 weeks ago) and one admitted to having no idea what a filibuster was.

So we have also been talking about education....

... One told me, "I don't follow any of it. It's too depressing."
Posted by: DiAnne at May 23, 2005 09:06 PM
----

You said it all. There is a problem in this country that will take generations to correct.

Ira

I agree with you about what is frightening - the same incidents.

For me, it is now the Gregoire/Rossi case in WA. The Republicans are watching this for the whole country. If they can win any close election through going to court (combined with voting machines), then the party at the national level will meddle in the affairs of every state - until they get what they want - a blood red country.

"Again I view myself as a moderate who likes to reach reasonable compromises with our advesaries. I just don't see how we can keep doing that and expect voters to see us having principles. I think Repubs learned in the 1960s that sometimes it is better to put up a fight and lose on principles then to reach a compromise "
Posted by Ira

Me too. Me too. Me too.

DiAnne,

I don't disagree, but the real problem is that we don't have a TV network doing the kind of muckracking reporting that would expose this kind of corporate manipulation.

That why I've started suggesting that instead of waiting for some White Knight, people like us need to start floating the idea of funding an opposition cable network - with 1 million Democrats and Progressives giving $100 a piece, and getting shares in the resulting corporation. We need a network that will hold CNN, MSNBC, and the major broadcast networks, feet to the fire - and force them to start doing journalism again rather than this "fair and balanced" pablum. We need to fight fire with fire.

Ok, a change in topic...sorry. but the Downing Street Memo and the issue of high crimes and misdemeanors is still paramount in my brain. And we are always trying to be the media. This is an example of a small group making a huge difference. And this is how we keep up the good fight!

http://rawstory.com/exclusives/byrne/kos_diarists_downing_street_523

Cyrano

That seems to be really needed, because so many people must get their info from tv rather than reading. It's really creepy what is happening with PBS & its new head. One of our papers had an intense story about that guy today.

Diane:

If its any solicee, we won a state legislative seat here in Texas defeating an 8 term Republican by several hundred votes that was taken to our conservative Texas Cts and our State District Ct. I am far from an expert on Washingto state election laws, but courts genreally don't overturn elections certified by a Secretary of State unless there is clear and convincing evidence; ususally a very high hurdle. Our conservative cts and even our conservatives in our state legislature came to the conclusion that they couldn't meet that burden and they backed down and eventually lost their challenge to our lone state victory. I hope and expect that you will have the same results. Just keep us updated on Cantwell who I now understand that Rossi may target.

AP Story featured on AOL:

WASHINGTON (May 23) - Averting a showdown, centrists from both parties reached agreement Monday night on a compromise that clears the way for confirmation votes on many of President Bush's stalled judicial nominees, leaves others in limbo and preserves venerable Senate filibuster rules.''In a Senate that is increasingly polarized, the bipartisan center held,'' said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.''The Senate is back in business,'' echoed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., one of 14 senators who signed the two-page memorandum of agreement, which cited ''mutual trust and confidence.''Under the terms, Democrats would agree to oppose any attempt to filibuster - and thus block final votes - on the confirmation of Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor. There is ''no commitment to vote for or against'' the filibuster against two other conservative nominees, Henry Saad and William Myers.As for future nominees, the agreement said they should ''only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances,'' with each Democrat senator holding the discretion to decide when those conditions had been met.''In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement,'' Republicans said they would oppose any attempt to make changes in the application of filibuster rules.

Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada welcomed the agreement - although he hastened to say he remains opposed to some of the nominees who will now likely take seats on the appeals court.''We have sent President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and the radical right of the Republican party an undeniable message....the abuse of power will not be tolerated.''

Some message. Sheesh.

Sorry gang...another change in topic but also important. The PDA is offering training courses for grassroots organizers--to help build the foundations going into the next election

http://www.ourfuture.org/projects/national_conference/2005/trainings.cfm

Patty haven't heard from you since the JK blog good to hear your thoughts.

You are absolutely right about what this portends for the SS fight and to watch our backs. We are delusional after tonight if we think that W can't get what he wants on SS. This so called compromise should send a clear message to Reid to beware of compromises on SS.We should have learned something after the disastrous prescription drug bill so called compromise to be capped at $400 billion. Ha ha.
Again if Brown, Pryor and Owens are not extreme circumstances to filibuster than exactly what does it mean to preserve that right other than as a pyric victory. For what nominee?

"This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush’s nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed. Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist would never have served on the U. S. Supreme Court if this agreement had been in place during their confirmations. The unconstitutional filibuster survives in the arsenal of Senate liberals.

"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."

press release via Americablog
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/05/dobson-has-been...

Uh, wasn't the Senate operating under these very rules when the judges he mentions *were* confirmed? Isn't that what happened with Fortes?

Sparrow, are those online courses?

Reginald W. Williams*, Trinity United Church of Christ:
Wal-Mart Against the Moral Economy

One of the speakers scheduled in the TBA conference linked above. Great name for the progressive vision of economics - the Moral Economy.

Linda:

Senator Boxer approves of this deal Linda, don't understand why? I give her all the respect and deference she so humbly deserves.

I myself readily admit I am a newcomer and have a hunger and desire to learn, and have many questions at the basic Government 101 level. That may seem like a boring proposition to some to teach at a basic level, but it MUST be done. I would bet good money that if classes were offered here at a basic level, and people were encouraged to participate, this place would EXPLODE.

Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at May 23, 2005 08:46 PM

I agree Truth. Does't our T-Shirt say, "We teach democracy"?

Posted by: Amy at May 23, 2005 10:51 PM
No amy they are not. BUt you can request that they try to go to a city near you. If you want, I can email you the info through the forum.

Thanks, Sparrow. I'd like that.

Oh...Amy I posted the wrong link. BUT the good news is I still have it in my email.

SO I'll forward it in the forum if you want. The link I posted was for the Taking Back America Conference--and you can go to that too if you have the opportunity.

Six members of the DCP will be there and will spreading the wealth but we'd love to have more come too.

Amy I sent you the message, but here it is anyway.

You made your voices heard last week -- nearly 20,000 people answered the call to hold Wal-Mart accountable. 97% of the votes were in favor of joining the fight. Your energy and strong support has put Wal-Mart on our agenda -- and you can rest assured that we'll be tackling it in the months ahead.

Going head to head with the world's largest corporation to make it a responsible member of our community will take smart, well-trained activists executing sound strategies. And our ongoing mission of electing fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates at every level of office will require exactly the same training and hard work.

That's why you should attend the next round of Democracy for America trainings, happening soon in five cities across America. Sign up today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/training

The training program lets Democracy for America members tap the experience of seasoned political professionals and grassroots workers.

It is a top-notch experience -- one that teaches the nuts and bolts of drawing up campaign strategies, managing a field effort, and crafting a message. When you leave, you'll be better equipped for the political fights ahead -- whether as a candidate, a campaign manager, or an operative working in the trenches.

Last year's training in Denver helped turn both chambers of the Colorado legislature from red to blue. In Ohio, the Columbus training helped re-elect Dean Dozen candidate Mary Jo Kilroy to the Franklin County Commission.

But the trainings are only as successful as you make them -- the true measure of success is the number of people we can get trained and on the ground. Right now trainings are on the calendar in five locations -- Riverside, California; Northern Virginia; Burlington, Vermont; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Join us for one of them:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/training

To seed the grassroots, we need to visit even more cities -- and that's why, as you read this, we're drawing up a list of prospective locations for trainings in the weeks ahead.

Want a training scheduled in your community? The program will go wherever there is the most interest from DFA members like you. Request a training in your area today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/trainingrequest

You have the power to change this country -- and our trainings can help you harness that power in your own community. Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,
Jim Dean
Democracy for America

P.S. Your support is what makes this work possible. Keep the good work going -- contribute today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/contribute

Hey all:

My sense is that we caved on this. We either have principles or not. And Ira, go get that congressional seat! Let me know if I can help.

Chuck in Houston

"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."

press release via Americablog
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/05/dobson-has-been...

Posted by: sparrow at May 23, 2005 10:20 PM

~

Yes, Dobson and his millions of conservative American voters "are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat." And yes, they "share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by MILLIONS OF CONSERVATIVE AMERICANS WHO HELPED PUT REPUBLICANS IN POWER LAST NOVEMBER." And yes, he is "certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."

Come next week, or the week after next, Rove and the leaders of the religious right will team up once again and email those same millions of disappointed conservative American voters about a major issue or two sure to incite them because of their faith, and out come the checkbooks and credit cards all over again, and cha-ching, the coffers get replenished, their core is once again solidified, their grassroots effort is already active, and they are well on their way to '06. And, Frist comes out looking like the good guy.
After all, he was "willing".

I will tell you one thing this article has definitely done for me....It shows me Dobson still has a degree of naivete' and does not yet know he and his millions of followers are being played. Totally amazing that he doesn't yet see they were abandoned and betrayed by the current administration (Uncle Karl), not only by the few centrist Republicans and Democrats who will likely now be vulnerable as a result of the "compromise". I would love to know who dreams up these things, it is pretty brilliant....they create a "win-win" for their side from many angles. Uncle Karl probably came up with the strategy, pulled it off, and now will come forward to help the poor abandoned and betrayed religious followers of Dobson to "do better next time".

WA State Dems Report on Governor Battle in Court- here is an admittedly partisan report from WA State Dems:

Today, Judge Bridges presided over the first day of the trial in the gubernatorial election challenge.

Ø      Dino Rossi showed his desperation today in court by having his lawyers raise yet another claim that is not backed by any evidence. Admitting that it is not possible to prove which candidate was hurt by election errors, the Republicans today threw out unfounded charges of fraud, without any evidence to back up their claim.

Ø      Dino Rossi is continuing to make up outrageous theories in order to steal this election and attempt to remove a sitting governor. Recognizing that under his own theory of proportional reduction, Christine Gregoire would still have been elected governor, Dino Rossi - instead of dropping his frivolous lawsuit - has made up another theory for his case.

Ø      Just like his claims that military families were denied the right to vote and that hundreds of voters voted illegally despite the fact that they never lost their right to vote, Dino Rossi’s claim of fraud is not based in fact.

Ø      The only demonstrated instance of fraud in this election is the desperate misrepresentations Dino Rossi has been willing to make to try and steal the governors office.

Ø      And, today in court, Judge Bridges agreed, concluding that “the court does not believe there is a fraud element to this case.”

This deal blows, mainly because the highest profile judges, the judges that the Dems hated the most, get a free pass. But we can filibuster the rest that probably even the Repubs don't care about? Gee thanks.
Also, I don't buy all of the Repub's faux anger over this. I find their pretend outrage laughable. The only Repub dented by any of this is Frist because McCain totally stole his thunder. McCain is actually pretty nauseating to me usually, but I didn't mind him neutering Frist today at all.

Truth Shall Prevail

I think you actually have a very sophisticated take on this & that you are probably correct.

I used to study a book called "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" - it said that most new discoveries came from people who were either new to a field or new researchers. It was because of lack of the bias because of not holding a belief system for a long time.

Listen to your gut. You have good instincts.

Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your piece, Casey, and I echo your sentiments.
:)

Posted by: DiAnne at May 24, 2005 12:32 AM

Thanks, DiAnne! Either that, or I have a very overactive imagination! LOL!

I realize it is subjective speculation. And maybe not even a viewpoint that everyone else here hasn't already held. But, it is, a "gut
feeling".

I have watched the little man behind the curtain for awhile now, and I think I may be getting a feel for what he may be doing with the smoke and mirrors.

I am taking Toto and we are heading back to Auntie Em's.

Listening to Linsey Graham tonight made me {literally)puke! This whole thing is about the reps messaging to win more elections. Linsey's comment:" after hearing the polls today the majority of the people want us to get on with the business and not deal with this pettiness of the senate,after all our kids are in Iraq and that's not going well." In other words they look like the saviours of the world and we continue to only get our backs up and are (in other words) non-compliant idiots. Great comment on air america today by Ed Schultz:"get a special prosecuter involved on the prison scandals." Also mentioned the fact:" we need to get really busy and oust these creeps in 06' & 08'."
Yeh,no kidding and Bush sent them there.Nothing is going well here or there..get a life already and dems wake up already and get your spines back! When we win Bush won't have any political capital left..get going!!

Just in case anyone missed it... Move-On has declared victory and cancelled tomorrow's citizen filibusters. Ho Ho Hey Hey will have to wait another day

Neville Chamberlain is what I sent to Senator Lieberman.
Hey, maybe they're right-that they are dealing with honorable colllegues who value democracy and honor and something other than their own ego's.
But I think they are dealing with folks who have been bought and paid for-and who know that through voting irregualrities can be kept or fired-
I hope i'm wrong. About so many things.

What a wasted opportunity for intergity and principles to shine forth. I am most saddened by the Fristfillibuster site~they think this is a victory.
so a sigh and some asanas(yoga) and then back to hope and work for democracy!

Truth,

You are right on that. But frankly, each side would have done that same thing. And even in this state of affairs, you will see that each side will mobilize their base. Neither one trusts the other and it is a war out there.

HOWEVER, I think we can hope for one thing. The move has shown the extent to which the neoCONS are willing to steal power and the moderates who voted for Bush or Republicans just because they were already there will think twice by 06.

And the Progressives are probably already hiring those commercial scriptwriters who will say, "Senator Devine was willing to throw away 200 years of democracy. 200 years of every voter still getting to know their Senator was watching out for their good and speaking up for their rights. This is what the Constitution was intended to do. But Senator Devine wanted to shut-up the voice of those trying to protect you. 50 years of communistic rule in Russia should have taught everyone a lesson--DEMOCRACY works for all of us; DICTATORSHIP doesn't."

sparrow-
why haven't we seen those speech writers?

Dear DCPers,

The front page of this site today is dedicated to all of you.

Karen,
Great poem and pic.

Here is today's Benson...
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/benson/

Posted by: mkh at May 24, 2005 07:21 AM

Because they haven't hired me yet. Want to make some calls on my behalf?

I loved Senator Byrd's statement yesterday on the Senate floor, "And the Worm Will Turn."

We really need a National strategy. There seems to be none, unless waiting for something to happen and then reacting can be termed strategy.
That is why the GOP seems to come out on top, we are always reacting to their move, always defensive. Defense in Politics is terrible.

what is so hard about simple basic national strategy;
1) Educate people
2) Register people to Vote
3) Organize ( DCP is a great tool already in place)
4) VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.

This is what the Religious Right did. ok, maybe they didnt educate anyone but they registered, organized and voted. And they didnt wait for Election years to do it. This is a year round, constant program. They dont take breaks, they dont stop. They create issues for the sole purpose of generating registration of voters.

We dont need million dollar strategists in ivory towers taking polls every 3 hours either. This is not how to win, its how to tie at best.

There is darn good commentary/advice/counsel on these posts, people in the DNC should be paying attention to them. This is the where grassroots starts, and elections are won. When the DNC starts listening to organizations like the DCP, they will start winning Elections.

There is talk on these posts about Kennedy, King, Barbara Jordan....why do we remember these people so fondly.... because they LED. They stood in front and gave people something with intrinsic Value to believe in; an Honest Direction for the Nation.

This Country is so mad at itself for the situation its in....it doesnt know where to turn and blames the other side for everything, imagined or not.
Does anyone truly believe the Nation thinks Iraq was Just, honorable and worthy of itself...Does anyone believe the Nation trusts the people in this adminstration....of course not.

This country is waiting for someone to lead it in an Honest Direction. When that person steps to the podium and lets Truth tumble from their lips....it will be a Magnificent sight.