from the reaction I've gotten in this thread, I'm starting to think that it's hard for some people to imagine the thought of anybody *not* blaming it all on the evil Republicans!
I think your perception of others' views is painted a bit by your own personal biases. While most of us here do seem to feel that the "evil Republicans" are not considering blocking the filibuster for judicial nominees in the interest of the common good, we have also placed a good deal of the blame for the situation on Democrats. Some examples of this, lest my assertion be attacked:
They're just pissed that they're on the losing end of the same stick they themselves once used.
from Political Animal. "Bottom line: Yes, Democrats are filibustering some of George Bush's judges, but they're doing it only because Republicans have relentlessly dismantled all the avenues of dissent they themselves took advantage of back when Democrats controlled the Senate. There's no principle involved in this, just a raw exercise of power."
As long as left wing and right wing politicians force extremist nominees upon one another, the filibuster solution will remain necessary. Either party trying to outlaw it in order to put extremists on the bench is counterproductive and is an insult to the principles upon which our democracy is based.
We all (and correct me if I'm wrong here, folks) seem to be saying that the process is flawed and that both Democrats and Republicans have abused the system. The problem that we have with this latest move on the part of Republicans is that it's extremely hypocritical as the filibuster is the same device they were using when they were the minority. Additionally, describing the filibustering of nominees as a huge problem seems ridiculous when Democrats have confirmed 24 out of every 25 of Bush's nominees to this point, a much higher margin than would ordinarily be expected.
no subject
I think your perception of others' views is painted a bit by your own personal biases. While most of us here do seem to feel that the "evil Republicans" are not considering blocking the filibuster for judicial nominees in the interest of the common good, we have also placed a good deal of the blame for the situation on Democrats. Some examples of this, lest my assertion be attacked:
They're just pissed that they're on the losing end of the same stick they themselves once used.
from Political Animal. "Bottom line: Yes, Democrats are filibustering some of George Bush's judges, but they're doing it only because Republicans have relentlessly dismantled all the avenues of dissent they themselves took advantage of back when Democrats controlled the Senate. There's no principle involved in this, just a raw exercise of power."
As long as left wing and right wing politicians force extremist nominees upon one another, the filibuster solution will remain necessary. Either party trying to outlaw it in order to put extremists on the bench is counterproductive and is an insult to the principles upon which our democracy is based.
We all (and correct me if I'm wrong here, folks) seem to be saying that the process is flawed and that both Democrats and Republicans have abused the system. The problem that we have with this latest move on the part of Republicans is that it's extremely hypocritical as the filibuster is the same device they were using when they were the minority. Additionally, describing the filibustering of nominees as a huge problem seems ridiculous when Democrats have confirmed 24 out of every 25 of Bush's nominees to this point, a much higher margin than would ordinarily be expected.