cross-posted at unbossed
Some kossacks have made a cottage industry of ripping the Senate Democratic Leadership at every turn for everything. Their new preferred term "Vichy Dems," reeks of sanctimony and shortsightedness.
With their cheering sections, which have never met a Democratic leader they did not despise, these folks have spewed and spluttered invective at every move Senator Harry Reid has made on Frist's Nuclear Option. You can read the mess in various diaries at dailykos.
Well, they are wrong as I explain on the flip.
Just yesterday some had a tantrum after hearing that Reid was "negotiating" with Frist on a deal to resolve the issue. Frankly, anyone who has followed this story, understood how Frist was beholden to James Dobson, and the PARAMOUNT Republican goal of eliminating, or cowing Dems on, the right to filibuster judicial nominees, would have seen at a glance that Reid's offer would be flatly rejected by Frist. Reid offered to accept the 2 least objectionable judges nominated by Bush IF Bush would approve a judge approved by Michigan's 2 Dem Senators AND if Frist publicly agreed to not threaten with the nuclear option again.
Let's repeat that - Bush gets 2 judges, Democrats get 1, the nuclear option get relegated to the waste bin and SUPREME COURT nominees remain subject to filibuster. First of all, this deal is a terrific deal for Dems. For those who don't know, it is the President who gets to pick judges, not the MINORITY Party in the Senate. Second, retaining the filibuster for SUPREME COURT nominees is THE issue here. Sure,we must block these awful judges like Owen and Rogers Brown - but remember what the big issue is.
But forget all that. Reid knew his offer would not be accepted. Reid also knew that his offer would be news and that Frist's rejection of the offer would be bigger news. So what was Reid doing here you think? Anyone?
Ok, I'll tell you - Reid was presenting an image of reasonableness and moderation and forcing Frist to present an image of intransigence and extremism. And that is good why you ask? Well, let's see, since the GOP has gone off the deep end with Schiavo, and threatening judges and Delay, etc. - GOP approval ratings have gone in the toilet.
On Frist's Nuclear Option, WaPo's poll released yesterday shows the 66% of Americans oppose it, while 26% support it. One more time, 2/3 of the American people oppose Frist's Nuclear Option. Now how did that happen you think? Because the extremist label has been pinned on the GOP - by their own doings and by shrewd maneuvering by Reid.
But these folks will have none of this political shrewdness. They want BRAVE STUPID LOSERS! I don't want to win smart they yell, I'd rather LOSE stupid and brave!
Well, I disagree. I want to win. Especially on this critical issue. I think we have found the defeatists amongst us - and it ain't Harry Reid.