This entry started out as a comment in Senator Kerry's thread but I truly feel that what I have to say is much too important to be lost in the numerous comments Sen. Kerry has received.
And if you happen to agree, please recommend this.
Let me start off by saying that I am not a Democrat. Hell, I'm not even a liberal.
What I am is an independent libertarian.
And I have something to say...
Just like a good amount of people here (Kos included), I am reluctant to an Alito filibuster. I am not reluctant because I fear the Nuclear option, for I do not. I am reluctant because I think filibustering Alito would be a bad move politically and in the end, it would be a lost cause. On top of this, when I saw that it was Senator Kerry who was leading the call to filibuster Alito my first impression was that the Republicans are going to have a field day with this.
Seriously, what a bad move by the Dems!
However, I was wrong--
dead wrong.
After reading the responses Kerry received, reading the NY Times' amazing editorial, and reflecting on this issue, I realized just how wrong I was.
I have come to the conclusion that the Democrats should, no, MUST filibuster Samuel Alito and if it takes John Kerry to lead the fight then "Let's Roll" baby!
I just finished signing John Kerry's petition to filibuster Alito.
And this might sound strange but I feel something in the air...
But do you feel it? I know I do. I feel the rumblings of liberty; the rumblings of our fore fathers' ideals tonight.
But do you hear it? I know I do. I hear the spirits of our founders whispering to us. They are telling us to stand up.
There is something swelling beneath us--Something much larger than any of us can imagine.
The time to stand up and fight is NOW!
My reluctance has turned into conviction, my friends, and I am firmly standing behind Senator Kerry in calling for a filibuster, and I hope others who were reluctant will join us as well.
Now, please don't confuse my words. This is not a plea.
THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS.
We must unify! We must stand up as one! We must fight as one!
I think we can all agree that someone with Samuel Alito's views absolutely does not belong on the Supreme Court of the United States. Now, since we all agree on that, what we all need to understand is that the only way we can stop Alito is by a filibuster. That is the only way we can stop this atrocity from occurring.
I want to address a few things right now. First, I want to address the people who fear the Nuclear Option.
If the only reason you are against the idea of a filibuster is because you fear the Nuclear Option, fear not my friend. The Nuclear Option is just what we have been calling it for all these months--a threat.
The Republican Party does not have the votes to pass the Nuclear Option. Sure, they have the numbers, but let me be clear. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE VOTES. In fact, I actually doubt that the Republican Leadership would invoke the option and call for a vote when it comes down to it. I believe that deep down the leadership knows that they don't have the votes.
Why would some Republicans have even made the compromise if they were so willing to vote for the Nuclear Option the first time around? Let me give you a hint: They weren't actually willing to vote for it.
What you must realize is that the moderates (so-called moderates at least) in the Republican Party will not vote to lose the power to filibuster Judicial Nominees. They know that one day, they will be in the minority and that when that day comes, their party will yearn for the power they gave up all those years ago. The GOP leadership will not be able to convince enough Republicans to vote to give up that power. These are politicians we are talking about, after all.
Now, I want to address the Gang of 14. The Gang of 14 signed a contract that said they will not filibuster a nominee unless under "extraordinary circumstances".
Extraordinary circumstances you say?
WELL WHAT IS MORE EXTRAORDINARY THAN THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE FIND OURSELVES IN TODAY?!
THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES TORTURE IS AN AMERICAN VALUE, HE BELIEVES IN OUTING CIA AGENTS AS POLITICAL RETRIBUTION, AND HE BELIEVES THAT HIS CRITICS ARE "GIVING AID AND COMFORT TO THE ENEMY". DO YOU KNOW WHAT "GIVING AID AND COMFORT TO THE ENEMY" IS SYNONYMOUS WITH? THAT'S RIGHT, TREASON. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN CALLING HIS CRITICS, TRAITORS! HE BELIEVES HE IS ABOVE THE LAW! HE BELIEVES HE HAS THE RIGHT TO IGNORE HABEUS CORPUS, THE 4TH AMENDMENT, CONGRESSIONAL WILL, AND THE CONSTITUTION IN GENERAL!
AND THE MAN HE HAS JUST NOMINATED FOR THE SUPREME COURT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY SIDE WITH HIM ON THESE SERIOUS MATTERS!
NOW TELL ME THAT THESE ARE NOT EQUAL EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Now, I also want to point out something important. I just recently saw a poll which showed more independents do not want Alito to be confirmed than those that do. RELUCTANT DEMOCRATS--YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE INDEPENDENTS ON YOUR SIDE. YOU CAN WIN THIS FIGHT!
I haven't even mentioned the fact that President Bush and the Republican Party as a whole right now are WEAK. The Republican Party is being disgraced by Abramoff and the President has an approval rating of 41%. 41% PEOPLE! CHALLENGE HIM! WE CAN, WE WILL, AND WE MUST WIN THIS FIGHT!
In closing, Samuel Alito is not, I repeat, NOT even close to being in the mainstream. Hell, I'll go as far as to say that some of his views, such as his views on Executive Power, are not even AMERICAN. The thought that the Democrats are about to allow the Supreme Court to contain another Justice willing to relinquish his Constitutional Authority to President Bush and any other future President is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS.
Whether it is his view on Roe, One man, One vote, the establishment clause, or Executive power, the man is not in the mainstream.
This nomination is something the Democrats should fight with every last drop of energy that they have, with every, single tool that they can find...
and that my friends, includes the filibuster.
DEMOCRATS: SUPPORT THE FILIBUSTER OF SAMUEL ALITO!
SUPPORTERS: STAND UP, BE LOUD, BE HEARD, AND FIGHT THIS NOMINATION TO THE VERY END!
THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS...