Monday, May 30, 2005

The Deal That's Not

It's not even a week since the Senate reached it's overblown, over-hyped compromise over judicial appointments and the filibuster and already its foundation may be crumbling. The deal, brokered by the bi-partisan Gang of 14 led by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), gave the Republicans the three judicial appointments they wanted most--Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor--with the Democrats promising not to filibuster. In turn, the Republicans agreed to have Majority Leader Bill Frist back off the "nuclear option" threat and allow the filibuster to continue only under "extraordinary circumstances." Everybody kissed and made nice-nice, and beamed that even this contentious Senate can rise above the fray and do what's best for America. Sure. And if you believe that, I have a Tikrit timeshare I'm looking to unload. The GOP is now hellbent on pushing through the nomination of William Myers to the legendary 9th Circuit Appeals Court and is going to use this as the extraordinary circumstances Litmus test. This will be an extremely important showdown, as it not only proves how frail the compromise was/is, but moreso it sets the stage for the battle over Chief Justice William Rehnquist's replacement when he most likely retires this Summer after the Supreme Court ends its current session June 27. The GOP desperately wants to tip the Court scales far to the right, and will stop at nothing in order to do so. Compromise? There is no compromise. Anyone who believes the Democrats will be able to filibuster without Frist first threatening again and then exercising the nuclear option...well, how about that Tikrit timeshare? This is going to get ugly, folks. Andy

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