GOP Caves on Filibuster? !
Seems so.
Captain Ed has more patience than I, but notes there will be consequences if the GOP decides to hand over majority rule to the minority.
Michelle Malkin captures McCain stating that Judges Myer and Saad may be sacrificed.
Kathryn Lopez reports for all to stay tuned to Bench Memos -- do so, Kathryn is all over it.
Far be it for our Senators to work late to give all nominees an up or down vote.
Disgusting.
UPDATE:
PowerLine's John Hindraker is "going to be sick."
Many conservatives are likely to retch tonight once they know how the Democrats (with a little help from RINOs, or Republicans In Name Only), once again, have rolled the GOP.
Kathryn Lopez has both The List of Losers (aka Compromisers) as well as the text of The Cave.
UPDATE II:
A different take from UCLA Law Professor Stephen Bainbridge.
No word yet on what "extraordinary circumstances" means, but I think this is probably a good outcome. Since I don't believe that the GOP will control both the White House and the Senate for the rest of time, I'm glad to see the filibuster preserved as an option.UPDATE III: Ramesh Ponnuru has the best name for the deal to date: An Assymetric Deal.
Here's what the Democrats commit to in the future: "Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist." Here's what the Republicans commit to: "In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress. . ." So: Democrats can filibuster nominees in "extraordinary circumstances," to be determined according to the "discretion and judgment" of Ralph Neas--I mean, of each individual senator. Republicans, on the other hand, are not getting any wiggle room to vote for a rules change in "extraordinary circumstances"--such as the Democrats' abuse of their wiggle room. It looks as though the majority party got taken in this deal.More from Bench Memos -- just keep scrolling. UPDATE IV: Patterico is steamed.
The next time John McCain runs for any elective office, I pledge to support his opponent. I will use my blog to encourage others to vote for his opponent. I am singling him out because of his fascist campaign finance law, which will not stop me in any way from using this blog to oppose John McCain for the rest of his days. That is my solemn pledge to you. Who is with me?I am. John McCain will not silence me either. The GOP has become the party of Cave Dwellers. UPDATE V: ConfirmThem thinks the deal will make the flowers grow:
This deal is a load of cr@!` It is not compromise, but capitulation. And I say that as somebody who did agree that a certain form of compromise was acceptable. But this comrpomise treats a couple of nominees, Saad and Myers, as pawns. It makes them not people, but expendable objects. And that is unconscionable. . . . But, having come to this point, the White House was absolutely in the right to demand up-or-down votes for all nominees. The Senators, ON BOTH SIDES, who fail to provide such a vote for pending nominees have sacrficed fairness (to Saad and Myers) for expedience and political advantage. I guarantee you there was horse-trading in there concerning pork and other matters. And I guarantee you that not a one of them gave a thought to the havoc they have wrecked on these nominees’ lives. Shame on them all. Fie on them all. Disdain for them all.UPDATE VI: The Anchoress also retches:
This is freaking disgraceful. As usual, the GOP gave up, and the Democrats give up NOTHING. Here’s the agreement. It will make you sick. . . . Again. I’m staggered. I only joined the GOP because of W. This is really making me think I’m going to re-register as an Independent.She won't be the only one. UPDATE VII: The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) need no longer call Hugh Hewitt until any W Supreme Court Justices are confirmed.
It is impossible to say whether this is a "terrible" deal, a "bad" deal, or a very, very marginally "ok" deal, but it surely is not a good deal. Not one dime more for the NRSC from me unless and until the Supreme Court nominee gets confirmed, and no other filibusters develop. I won't spend money on a caucus supporting organization when the caucus can't deliver a majority. Mark Kennedy and other Senate candidates with spines, but not for the NRSC.UPDATE VIII: La Shawn Barber points to video. I just don't have the stomach to watch -- and I haven't even had dinner yet. UPDATE IX: Stones Cry Out ponders the possibility of Senators sleeping in cots tonight, but our RINOs have saved everyone from mussed hair. The Constitution is merely a pawn in the McCain v Frist '08 Sweepstakes. McCain 1 Frist -100 UPDATE X: Captain Ed deconstructs the wreck, Michelle Malkin gets out the belt, and The Anchoress frustratingly declares in disgust, "It’s Official: Religion is less nuts than politics!" UPDATE XI: Patterico has more wonderful news (I'm in a foul mood tonight) for the conservatives who gave Republicans a majority in the Senate (a party which does not have a clue how to govern). The Gloating Begins:
Daily Kos says the capitulation is a “huge victory.” And here he says: “quite frankly, they lost.” Harry Reid: “This is a significant victory for our country, for democracy, and for all Americans.” Remember this when some mush-head says: looks like both sides are upset, so it must be a good compromise.Next he points out that some are saying the judges who will get a vote may be voted down by a bi-partisan majority. Nothing will surprise me anymore. I too am sick of this word.