As
we've been noticing over the course of the past few weeks, the right is now muddying the waters (as they're prone to do) regarding even the use of the phrase "the nuclear option." And of course, the media is simply regurgitating what they're fed so they're repeating and reinforcing the myth that "the Democrats are referring to this maneuver as 'the nuclear option'" while Sen. Frist and others are now adopting the term 'the Constitutional option' as an attempt to give their radical strategy idea some false sense of weight, merit or history.
More below...
It seems fairly clear that
Sen. Lott came up with the phrase "the nuclear option" as a means of portraying just how drastic the move to render filibusters moot would actually be. It's the last resort, it would blow up and render radioactive in one fell swoop the history of Senate debate.
Both Republicans and Democrats for a time adopted the phrase. Now that the public senses how negative and destructive this maneuver is the GOP is changing course to try and pin the phrase (and perhaps the negative connotations) on the Dems.
This is precisely why we should never adopt conservative frames, even ones that are flawed and thus harmful to the conservative cause.
We ought always to work to immediately develop our own progressive frames ("the nuclear option" has been around since at least 2003) and use those and only those in order to get our point across.
I'm unclear as to who came up with the frame "the Crybaby Option" but we need to use it and it alone. It precisely frames the progressive perspective of the potential GOP maneuver, whereas their weak new frame "the Constitutional option" is actually Orwellian doublespeak.
Senators, whether right, left or independent, are all excercising their Constitutional duties and options when they debate nominees and policies in full and at length.
Let's leave the filibuster alone (or, go back to its historical 2/3rds override limit if anything) because the Republicans' crybaby option will harm our nation's healthy spirit of debate, advice and consent.