Kerry wants filibuster - CALL SENATORS to Support him!

Just saw this at Democratic Undeground:

Will Pitt: Source tells me Kerry is now openly in favor of a filibuster

and corroborated here.

* [new] CALL NOW! (4.00 / 5)

Just got off the phone with Kerry's office in DC. They're working on other senators to filibuster on Alito. They said to tell you all to CALL YOUR SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO FILIBUSTER!!!

http://www.congress.org/....

PLEASE DO IT NOW!

Posted by: madame defarge at January 26, 2006 11:10 AM

at the Democracy Cell Project

The Democracy Cell Project

by dwahzon on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:48:07 AM EST

I'll post more text soon - wanted to get this up fast.

CALL SENATORS AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT A FILIBUSTER
Switchboard number: 888-355-3588
Ask for Senator by name...start with your own (even if it seems hopeless) and work your way down the list...see below.

UPDATE: FAX 100 Senators at once - good diary here tells how!

Who most needs calling:

I'm not an expert - I just saw that this needed to be posted so I did - but here is what I know -

Ben Nelson (NE) - voting Yes on Alito
Tim Johnson - voting Yes on Alito
(unless you live in their states, I wouldn't waste time/breath calling them, unless you've called everyone else and still have energy to burn)


Landrieu - has said "no" to filibuster
Salazar - has said "no" to filibuster

I don't know how movable these two are.

Other "red state" senators are good targets to request to filibuster. (list coming up soon)

From the open thread, here is the current staus *on the Altio vote* (note this is NOT the same as the cloture vote - that is much less sure).

Dems voting "No"
Baucus (MT)
Biden (DE)
Bingaman (NM)*
Boxer (CA)
Clinton (NY)
Dodd (CT)
Durbin (IL)
Feingold (WI)
Feinstein (CA)
Harkin (IA)
Inouye (HI)*
Kennedy (MA)
Kerry (MA)
Kohl (WI)
Leahy (VT)
Lincoln (AR)*
Mikulski (MD)
Murray (WA)
Nelson, Bill (FL)
Obama (IL)
Reed (RI)
Reid, H. (NV)
Salazar (CO)
Schumer (NY)
Stabenow (MI)
Wyden (OR)

Dems leaning "No"
TBA

Dems voting "Yes"
Johnson, Tim (SD)* (following the Daschle "winning" formula of going along to, erm, get along. "Smart" move Tim.)
Nelson, Ben (NE)

GOoPers voting "No"

None yet.

Independent

Jeffords* will vote NO on Alito.

** UPDATE **: FAX 100 Senators at once - good diary here tells how!


** UPDATE 2 **: kerrygoddess asked me to post this from The Democratic Daily:

More on Kerry Backing Filibuster
January 26th, 2006

As Ron just reported a short time ago, William Pitt has reported at Democratic Underground that John Kerry is supporting a filibuster.

I have confirmed through my sources that both John Kerry and Ted Kennedy spoke up yesterday about the importance of stopping Alito. I suspected something was going down yesterday when Kerry's floor speech got pushed back by an hour or so. There was deep frustration on the floor yesterday amongst Dems, that was clear to anyone watching the proceedings.

Word has it that the two Senators from Massachusetts, shocked those Senators who had declared that the Alito nomination was a done deal, by arguing the merits of a filibuster. They both know they face steep odds on this fight, but Kerry and Kennedy are known to work very closely together and are not afraid to stand up.

This fight is one I feel, that we will see the sort of passion that a lot of us remember from 1971. It is clearly not over. My sources tell me that Kerry has been unequivocal and has passionately talked to colleagues trying to get the ball rolling.

I urge everyone to stand up with Senators Kerry and Kennedy on this fight! Let them know we have their backs. Our focus is to lobby our Senators last night I reported on the NY Times editorial calling for a filibuster. I said then "I personally can not sit back and watch this happening with out making a stand."

There's a Senate Phone List here, with numbers to all the Democratic Senators and the key moderate Republicans. There are also two toll free numbers - 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

** UPDATE 3 **: CNN reports Cloture vote scheduled for Monday, 4:30 p.m.:

Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, scheduled a vote to end debate on the nomination -- called a cloture vote -- Monday at 4:30 p.m. If that vote is successful, the final vote would be Tuesday morning.

** UPDATE 4 ** : What to do: Suggestion from Kerry's Office: Who to Call NOW for Filibuster

Posted at DU front page:

Suggestion from Kerry's Office: Who to Call NOW for Filibuster
Posted by bettyellen
Added to homepage Thu Jan 26th 2006, 05:38 PM ET

thanks to Jackster

jackster (1000+ posts) Thu Jan-26-06 04:45 PM
Original message
Just talked to Kerry's office in Boston....
I was told that Reid is on board for the filibuster - but calls need to be made to Landrieau, Salazar, Johnson, and Byrd BY EVERYONE no matter your location.

Robert Byrd (WV)
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.byrd.senate.gov/...
FAX: [phone]

Mary Landrieu (LA)
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://www.landrieu.senate.gov/...
FAX: [phone]
08

K. Salazar (CO)
UNITED STATES SENATE WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: http://salazar.senate.gov/...
FAX: [phone]

Johnson, Tim- (D - SD) Class II
136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/emailform.cfm

Also, worth a shot:

Susan Collins (ME)
461 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Web Form: http://collins.senate.gov/... /
FAX: [phone]

Olympia Snowe (ME)
154 Russell Senate Office Bldg., Washington DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
WebForm: http://snowe.senate.gov/...
FAX: [phone]

•  Tip jar - please consider recommending

  This is what a bunch of folks here have been asking for.

  The sources seem pretty reliable to me, or else I wouldn't post this.

  by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:36:52 AM PDT

  •  just a nit..

    please take the ... out of the link above so it will work. thx.

    by sandmancan on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:38:33 AM PDT

    •  Done!

      I forgot when I copied the post that I had to do that.

      ;-)

      by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:40:14 AM PDT

      •  thanks again.

        ..just sent some emails via that site.

        by sandmancan on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:47:12 AM PDT

        •  Hallelujah! -n/t

          by joan reports on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:57:03 AM PDT

          •  Filibuster, How to:

            While we have to generate the pressure on all Senators, the decision to filibuster (or not) will also be a leadership decision.

            Call the Leadership Offices!

            Harry Reid, NV Democratic Leader [phone]

            Dick Durbin, IL Assistant Democratic Leader [phone]

            Patrick Leahy, VT Ranking Member Judiciary Committee [phone]

            CALL YOUR OWN SENATORS!

            1-888-355-3588
            or
            1-888-818-6641

            If Repug, tell them "No" to Alito; if Democrat: FILIBUSTER!
            If the Washington lines are busy, the Senators' home office numbers and fax are listed here: CONTACT YOUR SENATORS (Click here)

            For extra credit, use the same numbers to call all the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators - Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry - and tell them to either LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or FORGET ABOUT YOUR SUPPORT. You can also send that message to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (202-224-2447) and the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).

            Polls and public opinion are another way to apply pressure -- get word out about why Alito needs to be filibustered:

            Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. (Click here)

            People for the American Way has collected nearly 65,000 signatures to send to the Senate, please add yours: Save the Court Petition

            John Kerry has endorsed this anti-Alito petition, signers' names will be read into the Congressional Record:http://www.johnkerry.com/...

            by judybrowni on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:14:42 AM PDT

            •  Senator Byrd:

              "The people of West Virginia were appalled at the Alito hearings"

              "These were not letters from special interests groups, these were letters on lined paper..."

              The point: Call, email whatever, get in touch.

              We are the precedent.

              by Tirge Caps on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:27:40 AM PDT

              •  Beautiful n/t

                by joanneleon on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:38:01 AM PDT

                •  Well, I got that one wrong.

                  Apparently people were appalled at Mrs. Alito crying, not the fact the hearings are a sham. He's voting yes.

                  by Tirge Caps on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:49:05 AM PDT

                  •  So sorry to hear this

                    and the fact that the crying game was a factor, just makes it so much harder to take.  I don't get it. This is the man who reveres the Constitution.  This makes no sense.  

                    Mrs. Alito's crying is more important than the little book he carries and cites and the Constitution he so loves?  

                    Her crying is more important than the crying of the miners' families and the rights of workers?  

                    No sense, I tell you, it makes no sense.

                    by joanneleon on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:17:32 PM PDT

                  •  SHAME, Senator Byrd!

                    Shame!
                    Let's hope he's equally moved when he hears 14-year-old pregnant girls crying.

                    by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:50:01 PM PDT

              •  Byrd...?????

                Byrd...just went "yea" on Alito...WTF???????

                by Annalize5 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:48:37 AM PDT

                •  That doesn't mean he won't support a filibuster

                  He may well argue to his electorate that the filibuster is a matter of principle (minority senate rights), in which case his vote for Alito is essentially a freebee.  Wait and see how it pans out.  

                  by Knut Wicksell on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:22:23 PM PDT

                •  yeah, I know

                  I got that one wrong. The letters were complaining about the fact the hearings somehow made Mrs. Alito cry. Played right into their hands...

                  by Tirge Caps on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:23:47 PM PDT

                •  How Quickly He Forgets The Dead Coal Miners

                  It was the Bush administration pro-business, anti-worker safety and anti-envoronment that allowed the relaxing of safety rules that killed how many coal miners THIS MONTH?

                  For God's sake, Senator Byrd, if there was ever an obvious NO vote for the confirmation, and an equally obvious YES for fillibuster with aa NO on cloture, this has to be it.

                  Alito will do nothing but help the Bush agenda to become and imperial president and continue to gut safety, the environment, and human rights.

                  If this is the same Senator Byrd that keeps a copy of the Constitution in his pocket at all times, support a fillibuster and help STOP ALITO.

                  Thank you.

                  by freepress4all on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:54:22 PM PDT

              •  Aw geez

                he's voting for him.
                Aw geez
                

                by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:54:19 AM PDT

                •  Just Talked to his office -

                   a very unhappy staffer, in response to my expressing my disappointment in Byrd and that I thought he cared about the Constitution, said "He does care about the Constitution, he is representing the people of West Virginia."  BS.  The man couldn't go out in a strong way? He cares more about keeping his seat at his age than he does about his country? This is just terrible.

                  by md jeffersonian on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:52:27 PM PDT

                  •  Tough to bear

                    Give him hell through Monday when they actually vote.  There's no excuse for his action.
                    None.
                    

                    by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 04:20:20 PM PDT

              •  And do it on lined paper. n/t

                n/t

                by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:46:59 PM PDT

                •  Yes, fax it to him

                  on lined paper.

                  Shame.

                  by joanneleon on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 05:22:58 PM PDT

            •  Maybe it is time to add that failure to filibuster

              Might be enough reason to start proceedings for the repeal of amendment 17, the amendment allowing the direct vote of senators.  Maybe the founding fathers had it right after all.  Maybe legislatures can stand up to lobbying as a group than we as individuals can.  Maybe legislatures are better at picking true statemen than the general public is when all the general public gets now is a choice between which candidate has the most money to run an election.

              by davidgmills on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:32:16 AM PDT

              •  oops

                as a group better than

                by davidgmills on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:41:01 AM PDT

              •  That's what we need : new ideas!

                Here's another one: I'm tired of being told I'm not a constituent. My taxes go to pay for the individual senator's health-care and retirement, which makes me a constituent. I also pay for the health-care for the snotty staffer who answers the phone. I'm paying for their health-care and I don't have any myself? Maybe its time for this to stop.

                by hoplite9 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:56:21 AM PDT

            •  It just takes one to get the ball rolling

              the decision to filibuster (or not) will also be a leadership decision

              The hell with that. Just do it. Force the rest of the Senate to come down on one side or the other and let the chips fall where they may.

              It's interesting to note that "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" is still the clearest picture of the Senate that exists in the public imagination. And what's the heroic action in that movie? Yep: a filibuster.

              There is nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Filibuster now.

              by bobg on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:57:28 AM PDT

            •  My comments ...

              I have contacted the staffers I know in these offices.  My message:

              •  Alito is make or break for my potential support -- fiscal and otherwise in the primaries -- as it is with many other concerned Democrats

              •  The Alito vote risks being like the 'war' vote in 2002 -- viewed as a temporary political irritant that should be brushed away rather than a defining moment.  In 2002, Democratic Senators went the wrong way -- they shouldn't do the same to the Party and the Nation in 2006.

              •  A President who merits impeachment more than any other in U.S. history does not merit any deference in his making appointments -- especially lifetime appointments.

              by besieged by bush on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:35:18 PM PDT

            •  Call &^**Hillary!

              Tell her to stand up and fight.  We don't need no spineless democrats running for president!!!

              Her NY is not getting calls!  Nice intern.  I think I was the first to call.

              Her NY office phone number is:212.213.3717

              by Sue in NH on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:47:48 PM PDT

            •  Here is one to add to your list, Judy

              Send fax to key senators in support of Kerry's call to filibuster:

              http://www.SaveTheCourt.org/...

              by lesley on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:01:07 PM PDT

            •  Quit thread-spamming.

              Troll ratings for you, as long as you keep spamming dozens of threads with the same message, over and over.

              by HollywoodOz on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 05:25:01 PM PDT

      •  Contact information for Senators!!!

        Alternatively, you could look at this list of all the Senators, including their Washington office phone and fax numbers.  http://www.senate.gov/

        However, if you'd like to talk to an actual person, your best bet is to call a local constituent office. To find your Senators' local offices:

        1. Click on your Senator's name in the list at the above link to go to their congressional home page.
           
        2. Find, somewhere on that page, a "Contact" or "Services" link.
           
        3. Find the phone numbers for your nearest constituent office (many Senators have more then one) and call them.

        A few Senators put their local offices on their home pages, so you only have to do steps 1 and 3.

        (PS.  I stole the above post from someone at Smirking Chimp... I hope he/she does not mind!)

        by Sue in NH on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:04:00 PM PDT

        •  Oh Crap!

          The *&^% site is malfunctioning!!!!

          Do you believe that is a coincidence???

          Need more tinfoil.  Argh!

          Who can find the home office phone numbers for key Senators such as:

          Ben Nelson from NE
          Mary Landrieu from LA
          Harry Reid from NV
          Hillary Clinton from NY
          Russ Feingold  from?
          Barak Obama from IL

          Who else do we need?  We need to swarm MORE than the DC offices.  We need to swarm them at the state level too.

          Some of these folks think they are running for president.  Tell them you can't support them if they don't stand up and fight now!  It does not matter what state you are from to deliver this message.

          by Sue in NH on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:12:28 PM PDT

          •  PS.

            I'm on effing dial-up so its taking forever to do these searches.  It actually seems to be fairly difficult to find the local state office numbers for Senators.

            Anyone have a fast connection and a few minutes to find phone numbers?

            It seems rediculous for us all to take the time individually to search if one person can post a list right here on Dkos.

            by Sue in NH on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:17:48 PM PDT

  •  Thank you Senator Kerry

    Doing what I can to help!

    by AzKerrycrat on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:37:08 AM PDT

    •  what the HELL has gotten into Kerry?

      & where was it in 2004??!?

      posting on DKos.  going to Iraq.  Defending Michael Moore??!?!?!?

      WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY ??

      :-)  

      Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

      by krazypuppy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:20:48 AM PDT

      •  I don't know but

        keep it coming.

        Seriously, Kerry always had it in him, IMHO.

        by joanneleon on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:39:28 AM PDT

      •  Agreed!

        Where was he then?  (seriously, actually, where was this then??)

        by Science and Art on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:39:36 AM PDT

        •  Advisors

          Had him muzzled.  

          Can we please get some new advisors in 08?

          by daveriegel on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:53:46 AM PDT

          •  agreed

            but he let them 2nd guess him.

            a man who's first instinct when he realized his boat was being fired upon was to ram the boat into the sniper & thereby save his crew.

            THAT MAN SHOULD NEVER DOUBT HIMSELF AGAIN.

            Listen to good advice?  Challenge his beliefs so as to be sure they are right?  Yes.  

            Doubt.  Never.

            Bush, What Price Did You Pay?

            by krazypuppy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:25:22 PM PDT

        •  The Gore phenomenon

          by normal family on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:43:52 PM PDT

      •  Reminds me of...

        Al Gore and his transformation after his Presidential run.

        Good to have Kerry back as a leader!

        by Shapeshifter on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:03:00 PM PDT

    •  Called Salazar's Denver office @1MST

      Staffer told me Salazar has not made up mind on filibuster support.  Very polite and respectful, and seemed quite willing to run news of filibuster support up the chain.

      Would recommend any with Denver/Colorado connections to call 303-455-7600 to voice filibuster support, and mention (as I did) that friends and family in the area also support blocking Alito.

      by Mogolori on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:01:49 PM PDT

      •  I'm from Denver

        I called. I was planning to be polite, but I wasn't. When a staffer answered, my blood started rushing and I just blew up. I asked the staffer, "How can a Latino like Salazar not do everything in his power to stop a racist judicial nominee? What the hell else does he need? Colorado is turning blue, what exactly is he afraid of?"

        I also said that Salazar's no vote is meaningless. If you go to his website, he says that he will vote no on Alito. WTF???  A lot of good that will do!

        Nobody will look back in the Congressional record 50 years from now and say, "Oh that Salazar guy voted no on Alito.....good for him." A no vote without supporting a filibuster is like trying to play poker with no cards.

        by seoguy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 04:04:46 PM PDT

  •  Conrad's not getting enough calls.

    Because I got through on the first ring. He still claims to be undecided. Kent Conrad, D-NE [phone]

    by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:36:14 PM PDT

    •  Oops, ND.

      Not NE. A bit north eh. Please call the guy. His intern is very cheery.

      by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:41:43 PM PDT

    •  done

      by chinkoPelinke on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:55:59 PM PDT

    •  done, i got through on first try also.

      come on people, hit the phones!

      by chinkoPelinke on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:57:34 PM PDT

  •  Recommended the diary...

    Here are more specifics with links and numbers from Bill Moyer:

    Kerry is filibustering Alito!
    Call Senators Immediately!

    Call the Senators listed below, as well as your own, and tell them:
    

    • a "No" vote is meaningless without a filibuster
      
    • it is cowardly to only fight a fight when assured victory
      
    • the American people need to see the Senate standing up for separation of powers and against the "Unitary Executive"

    Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

    If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:
     http://www.congress.org/...

    First: Call the three Democrats (Mary Landrieu, Ken Salazar, and Dianne Feinstein) who oppose Alito but also said they oppose a filibuster. We must persuade them that a vote against Alito is meaningless if they don't support a filibuster.
    Senator Salazar (D-CO)   202-224-5852
    Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)   202-224-5824  
    Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)    202-224-3841

    Second: Call your own Democratic Senator: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.

    If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:

    http://www.congress.org/...

    Third: Unbelievably, three Democrats (Ben Nelson, Tim Johnson and Robert Byrd) support Alito!  Tell them to either support filibuster or at least "don't get in the way."
    Sen. Ben Nelson  (D-NE) 202-224-6551
    Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) 202-224-3954
    Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) 202-224-5842

    888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:
    http://www.congress.org/...

    Fourth: Call the "Red State" Democrats:
    (Message same as above -- "No" is meaningless)
    Tom Carper (DE)
    Kent Conrad (ND)
    Byron Dorgan (ND)
    Blanche Lincoln (AR)
    Mark Pryor (AR)

    Fifth:   Call these "Blue State" and pro-choice Republicans:
    (Message: A "Unitary Executive" is dangerous to balance of powers--please do not get in the way of a filibuster.)
    Lincoln Chafee (RI)
    Susan Collins (ME)
    Lisa Murkowsky (AK)
    Bob Smith (OR)
    Olympia Snowe (ME)
    Ted Stevens (AK)

    For extra credit, call all of the 2008 Presidential candidates who are sitting Senators--Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and John Kerry--and tell them to either LEAD THE FILIBUSTER or KISS YOUR SUPPORT GOODBYE.  888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641.
    If you can't get through, look up the Senator's District Office number in your phone book or here:
    http://www.congress.org/...

    You can also send that message to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (202-224-2447) and the Democratic National Committee (202-863-8000).

    Share what you learn with Democrats.com members here:

    http://www.democrats.com/...
    _________________ Backbone mailing list [e-mail] http://list.backbonecampaign.org/...

    by nonconreformer on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:26:53 PM PDT

•  Will do and thanks

  There is a still a little bit of hope.

  by terribfromMA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:38:56 AM PDT

  •  We're at the Limit

    45 Dems (incl. Jeffords) - 2 Yes votes (Nelson & Johnson) - 2 votes for cloture (Landrieu & Salazar) = 41 votes, the minimum to Filibuster.

    This will be tough and require exceptional party unity to sustain.  At some point, Pryor, Lincoln or Joementum may turn in order to play the bipartisan hero.

    If we crack, we have nothing.  Forcing Repubs to go nuclear will give us a lot of ammo in November and will give us an excuse to shutdown the Senate's pro-corporate agenda.

    by Cream Puff on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:30:39 AM PDT

    •  slim shot

      Snowe and Chaffee might join a filibuster.

      by anthonyLA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:47:08 AM PDT

      •  God willing.

        Call 'em anyone?
        Why aren't women supporting women's rights, dammit? We might as well've not gotten the vote at all.

        by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:44:46 PM PDT

    •  -Byrd

      aw geez

      by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:56:36 AM PDT

    •  but + Salazar

      it looks like...
      so that's a wash?

      by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:58:40 AM PDT

      •  Hmm...

        Did Salazar and Byrd swap votes or something?

        by Shapeshifter on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:07:47 PM PDT

        •  I'm nearly stymied

          Could Landrieu surprise me?
          I hollered over there this morning.
          She needs a reality check.

          by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 04:23:48 PM PDT

•  Tell Kerry to filibuster

  By reading the names of all those people who do not want Alito confirmed.  Add the state that they are from.  That should eat up some time.

  by davidgmills on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:41:09 AM PDT

•  Calling Kennedy (my Senator) would be a waste of a

  dime...who needs calling?

  by ablington on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:42:30 AM PDT

  •  Salazar, Landrieu....

    ....last I heard...I don't know the full list but I'll go look for it.

    by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:45:12 AM PDT

    •  Just called Salazar's office

      Dolefully, however, considering he's already announced his opposition to the filibuster.

      by bumblebums on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:02:35 AM PDT

      •  Glad you called anyway...

        ...if we give up, they then think they can get away with spinelessness.

        The key is to make them fear US more than they fear the GOP/Media Axis.

        by Phoenix Woman on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:10:20 AM PDT

      •  I called too

        Yesterday, I called his Denver office, so today I called Washington DC.

        Urged him to rethink his position and to not worry about changing his mind. This is too important. Said I had heard Senator Kerry was supporting a filibuster and asking other Senators about it. Said he has to join Kerry in supporting a filibuster if he believes half of what he said in his reasons for voting no on Alito.
        

        by OLinda on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:29:26 AM PDT

      •  See upthread...

        Denver office said Salazar remains uncommitted on filibuster a/o 1pm MST.

        Work them phones!

        by Mogolori on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:04:08 PM PDT

      •  I just called him too -

        the Denver office.

        Then I remembered - I contributed to his campaign in 2004 - a lot of us did - he was on the list recommended by kos - so I reminded them of that.    

        Many of us who are not his constituents are his campaign contributors.

        by Reality based mom on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:07:03 PM PDT

  •  Tim Johnson, South Dakota

    That asshole just said he was voting yes and won't support a filibuster.  

    by BarbinMD on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:47:14 AM PDT

    •  Then may I suggest

      we don't waste our time on this butthead and move on to a Senator with a soul who might actually be persuaded?  One who already thinks Alito is dangerous and only needs persuading about the filibuster?

      by delphine on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:01:08 AM PDT

      •  Good point

        Although I did call and complain.  :-P

        by BarbinMD on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:29:31 AM PDT

      •  Please do keep calling

        Easy for me to say, since he's not my senator, but please do keep the pressure on.  Even if it doesn't change his vote, please let him know people are watching and are pissed.

        He had this to say in this yahoo story:

        "I am troubled by Judge Alito's apparent views on matters such as executive power, his past opposition to the principle of one person, one vote, and his narrow interpretation of certain civil rights laws," Johnson said. "Even so, I cannot accept an argument that his views are so radical that the Senate is justified in denying his confirmation."
        

        If he is troubled by Judge Alito's views, than he needs to do his job!  He needs to vote no!  If he's troubled by his views, then why is he supporting him??  He can't have it both ways.  (yeah, I know, he's a politician...)  If he's voting for Alito, he must not be all that troubled, i.e., he's not being completely forthright.  If he really is troubled, then that means he is not doing his job!!

        by WisVoter on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:37:46 AM PDT

      •  No

        Call him.

        Tell him to support anything with the potential to stop Alito's confirmation, including a filibuster.

        Tell him that if he does not do so, you will never vote for him again.

        You will vote against him in the Democratic primary.

        If he wins the primary, you will vote for a third party candidate in the main election.

        There is no point in having a Senator with a "D" next to his name if he's going to roll over on something this important.  Might as well have a Republican.

        by asdfasdf on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:38:46 AM PDT

    •  Tim Johnson

      vote Johnson out when the time comes

      by NeuroticBlonde on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:39:48 AM PDT

    •  Lieberman voting NO

      Just announced he does not support Alito.

      by joshorton on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:04:44 AM PDT

      •  You realize...

        this woulda been a 'yes' if not for the fact that we are now keeping his feet to the fire.

        by Muttley66 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:29:59 AM PDT

        •  say thanks

          Say Thanks to whoever that is who's running in the primary against him ... if anything pulled him a bit away from the dark side, its that threat of a primary challenge.

          by COBear on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:21:10 PM PDT

  •  See calebfaux's post, and the open thread -

    calebfaux lists the most likely holdouts against a filibuster (on top of Tim Johnson and Ben Nelson who are voting Yes on Alito, assholes):

    http://www.dailykos.com/...

    Also look at Armando's Alito Open Thread on the front page. I wouldn't worry about Boxer or Kennedy (and obviously not Kerry), but you may have to work on Feingold, Biden, Clinton, even Reid?, and the other more middlin' Dems.

    by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:52:05 AM PDT

    •  I called Feingold and Kohl this a.m.

      as a constituent.  For what it's worth.  I hope they see their entire credibility as a party who will "Stand Up" (R.Feingold trademark) in front of the 64% of Americans who think Bush is doing a crummy job and say,  "You can take our word on every label we level at this group of Republicans.  We filibuster because this is the most corrupt administration this nation has ever seen.  This Alito appointment is disrespectful of 64% of this country and pandering to a mere minority."

      by MilwMom on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:07:36 AM PDT

      •  D'oh! Credibility at *stake*

        by MilwMom on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:08:37 AM PDT

    •  And Byrd

      fer gawsh sakes.
      He needs to lose his seat.

      by arbortender on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:22:55 PM PDT

  •  Bah

    I hate half of my Senators. I called both, and Hillary's assistant said flat out there wasn't going to be a filibuster.

    Why can't New York elect a liberal?

    by Aguas de Marco on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:59:21 AM PDT

    •  Did you tell the staffer

      "That's for Hillary's constituency to decide, NOT Hillary"? They seem to forget that in their self-righteousness.

      by Skid on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:15:45 AM PDT

      •  or how about

        it's for  HILLARY (not the staffer)to decide.

        Did you ask the staffer if he was speaking for the Senator?

        by pitbullEmily on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:20:31 AM PDT

        •  Hell, at least s/he got an answer.

          Elizabeth Dole's staffers always say they "don't know". Bull hockey. I know how she's going to vote before I even dial the phone, how can it be that they don't know?

          by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:12:42 PM PDT

    •  Clinton

      Got the same response, but I don't know if office was saying there aren't enough votes, or the senator didn't support a filibuster.

      by the fan man on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:19:01 AM PDT

      •  Agreed

        That was my sense as well. But I also got the sense that Senator Clinton wasn't going to the mat to fight that sad reality. She is too busy triangulating to stand for principal on anything.

        by Aguas de Marco on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:30:01 AM PDT

      •  just spoke w HRC staffer

        went something like this:

        Pondite: expecting "no" vote, workers rights, Roe, presidential power, etc

        HRC staffer:  Well, Sen is with you; gave a speech yesterday citing each of those facts.

        Pondite: but will she support filibuster?  I don't expect her to lead a filibuster, but I expect her to support a filibuster.

        HRC staffer:  Well, the votes aren't there for a filibuster.

        Pondite:  Well, I'm going to be VERY disappointed if she doesn't help put the vote over the top -- if there are thirty-something votes for the filibuster, I EXPECT her to be there.

        HRC staffer:  "Well, she's there"

        May it be so.  (Also spoke w Schumer guy, but let him go without pressing for Schumer stance...)

        by Pondite on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:28:12 AM PDT

    •  ack.

      WTF?  

      by whometense on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:20:44 AM PDT

    •  Don't worry...

      she'll resign in 2008 to put all of her energy into the presidential race.

      by Team Slacker on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:24:55 AM PDT

      •  If she

        If she does not do everything in her power to attempt to stop this appointment, I will never vote for her in any election for any position that she ever runs for.

        If you feel the same way, let her know.

        by asdfasdf on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:41:15 AM PDT

    •  no filibuster

      did you tell Hillary's asst. there isn't going to be a President Hillary either?

      by NeuroticBlonde on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:41:39 AM PDT

    •  More Liberal than Hillary

      Read up on Jonathan Tasini

      by LNK on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:11:58 AM PDT

    •  hillary's personal assistant no less

      of course.

      by BiminiCat on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:34:39 AM PDT

  •  Landrieu and DiFi

    What is it with these women?

    by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:12:10 AM PDT

    •  Called Feinstein's office and told staffer we

      are looking for a filibuster of Alito. No lifetime appointment for this candidate!

      They asked for my zip code. If you call use 94576,77, and 92101 through 92109.

      Can others please provide state zip codes for the Senators we are attempting to swing?

      by maggiemae on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:28:49 AM PDT

      •  Please do NOT use a zipcode that's not yours

        If you are a Californian, give your own zipcode.  If not, simply explain why you are calling Sen. Feinstein, and they will be just as polite with you.  But let's not be dishonest about where we live in order to create pressure.  We can do this the old fashioned honest way.

        BTW, I just called Feinstein's office and told a staffer that I wanted a filibuster on Alito.  He asked for my zip code and thanked me.  Very pleasant conversation.

        by deaniac83 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:53:19 AM PDT

        •  I Just Called Too

          Something that always makes me scream in frustration, given how DINO Feinstein normally is.

          But this time, I just gave my location, said that I had heard the Senator's impassioned arguments about the nomination this morning, and believed that if she truly meant what she said, nothing less than supporting a filibuster of Alito would do.  Whether or not that filibuster ultimately succeeded.

          The staffer was more pleasant than usual, I admit.  But then again, usually when I call I'm a bit of a barn-burner since I really do not like my Senator from San Francisco ;)

          by shanikka on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:48:22 AM PDT

        •  I just

          called Feinsteins DC office to ask her to support a filibuster.

          Just once I'd love her to surprise me....just ONCE!

          by Momagainstthedraft on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:52:23 PM PDT

    •  Landrieu.....

      ....lives in a very Catholic state and needs about $300 billion from the Federal Government (the White House) to fix Louisiana. She hasn't quite figured out yet that she is going to get nothing more from them.

      by Bensdad on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:31:08 AM PDT

  •  Called Boxer

    in DC office. Could not get through so they must be getting swamped. I did call San Diego office and the staffer I talked with was very sympathetic and listened to me. I asked how they convey to her what people are calling about. He said they do a tally sheet and send it to her at the end of the week. I told him that this was a little more urgent and he agreed and said he already had three pages on Alito. I don't know how many on each sheet but people are calling here in San Diego. Just wanted to let you know.

    Next, on to The presidential hopefuls.

    by Alohaleezy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:34:28 AM PDT

    •  n/s

      My feeling is that a quick sentence ("I'd like to encourage the Senator to fillibuster Judge Alito") probably has the same weight as making a whole speech.  Saves a lot of time too.

      by amejr999 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:35:59 AM PDT

      •  Guess I refuse

        to live in the 30 second soundbite world. If I have something to say that includes more than one sentence to the person I am paying(or their staffers)to represent me that is what I will do. I just don't agree that this is a one sentence issue. I believe this is the future of our country at stake.

        by Alohaleezy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:55:45 AM PDT

        •  yes, but...

          I would agree that it's worth 20 minutes or more.  But think of it this way- the shorter your calls, the more you can make.  Why waste your breath?

          by amejr999 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:01:34 AM PDT

          •  Don't worry

            I am getting all the calls I need to make in. And believe me, I never waste my breath...lol.

            by Alohaleezy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:12:44 AM PDT

•  Switchboard number: 888-355-3588

  They can connect you to any ole senator you call.... then ask the that senate office to transfer you to the next fun guy/gal you wanna talk to.

  So much for my meme:

  POUNCE, ANNOUNCED!!!!

  GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DEMS!

  by letsfight on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:44:14 AM PDT

  •  What do I do?

    How do I do this?  I've never done this before...  I'm from NJ... Lautenberg & Menendez... so do I ask for them?

    help! :)

    by Spam Spam Bacon Spam on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:47:55 AM PDT

    •  Ask for Landrieu or Lincoln.....

      ...or someone we believe to be potentially not game for filibustering.

      by Cathy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:50:26 AM PDT

    •  You should ask your Senators

      to support a filibuster.

      Alito is from NJ so they are actually in a tough spot. Even though Lautenberg is pretty liberal, he definitely needs to be told you want NO on Alito and NO on cloture (which is YES to FILIBUSTER).

      After you call them you can work on the others.

      by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:57:59 AM PDT

      •  opposition from Home Senators would be big

        Menendez is running for his Senate seat in November.

        Yesterday, his republican challenger Tom Kean, Jr. (son of former Gov.) held a press conference in Alito's home town supporting him. Kean is a moderate to liberal republican (liberal by national standards, moderate by NJ standards), and initial polls suggest a tight race.

        Menendez apparently has not taken a position yet.

        I called his office to suggest that Alito filibuster would be a high profile excellent contrast issue with Kean in November, and, if he could come out in opposition with Lautenberg it would send message nationally that this Jersey homeboy is bad news.
        

        by civil society on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:12:21 AM PDT

    •  You will love the feeling you get....

      Just dial the number... someone will answer "Capitol"... and you ask to be connected to X senator's office... and they do.  Be super polite.... and brief... and ask them to pass that message on to the senator. They will say yes, and thank you.

      Then ask them to transfer you to the next senator's office.

      Now, what to say? any number of things, but I synthesize it down to:

      Hi, I am an Oregon democrat, and will you pass on to the senator that we need him/her to filibuster the Alito nomination?  We have to filibuster. This is an extraordinary circumstance. It is about maintaining a separation of powers and preventing abuse of power by the executive branch, which Alito will absolutely rubberstamp for this Administration. It is crucial to filibuster and stop this nomination and let the American people KNOW that they can count on the democrats to fight for this nation, this constitution, this system of govt.

      Or some semblance of this.

      And I typically throw in (since these senators are from red states) that this is NOT exclusively about roe v wade!

      by letsfight on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:02:13 AM PDT

      •  or burst into tears

        and barely be able to choke out "Please fillibuster Alito !" like a friend of mine did.

        by murphy on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:39:15 AM PDT

        •  oooooooooo!

          I will go cut some onions right away... and make some more calls!

          It is getting to the point of breaking down in tears.  

          by letsfight on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:07:50 AM PDT

      •  I DID IT!!!!!!!!

        I FREAKING CALLED MY REPRESENTATIVES!!!

        WAHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

        Check me out workin' that "democracy" thang...

        by Spam Spam Bacon Spam on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:16:48 AM PDT

        •  hope

          Gee, I hope you mean your Senators.

          by COBear on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:22:27 PM PDT

    •  Contact info

      Senator Menendez  at [phone]  or 973-645-3030 [in your state].  Lautenberg listed at   [phone] .  good luck.

      by joan reports on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:38:25 AM PDT

    •  YES!

      Menendez and Lautenberg need to feel some heat from us. Call and ask for a filibuster.
      Bluejersey.net reports calls to Menendez running about 2-1 against Alito, but be sure to call for a filibuster.

      Hell, when you only have a President, you might as well be in Cuba.

      by sayitaintso on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:04:55 AM PDT

      •  better be a lot of heat...

        after reading this, I'm not feeling so confident in the hometown senators willingness to vote with the majority of dems... The timing is suspicious. Hope I'm wrong.

        NEWARK, NJ -- Today, President Bush nominated four federal judges for New Jersey after reaching an agreement with U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), former Senator and current Governor Jon S. Corzine and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Three nominations are to the federal District Court and one nomination is to replace Michael Chertoff on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  lautenberg.senate.gov

        by kirari on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 12:50:21 PM PDT

        •  be careful here

          Red flags, I'm seeing red flags here...

          It appears that Bush handed our NJ congressmen a group of judges which they all agreed with.

          Who really things that Bush would just give away a free lunch to a Democrat?

          It is highly likely this is a payoff gesture from Bush to get something in return...

          Alito

          NO!!

          Please call your Congressmen, my NJ fellow citizens!  There is no time to waste!

          by mrcoder on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 03:48:26 PM PDT

•  Rumored - 8 filibutser holdouts

  Possible list, "Red State" Democrats:

  Tom Carper (DE)
  Kent Conrad (ND)
  Byron Dorgan (ND)
  Tim Johnson (SD)
  Mary Landrieu (LA)
  Blanche Lincoln (AR)
  Mark Pryor (AR)

  by calebfaux on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:45:47 AM PDT

  •  Thanks, I was just going to post that. n/t

    by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:48:41 AM PDT

  •  throw Carper's words in his face

    Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I have served in the Senate for a bit over 4 years. When I came, I never imagined I would stand on this floor and defend a filibuster. [...] I never imagined I would be standing in a food fight on how we are going to approve these judges, how many confirmations are enough and what constitutes a shortfall.

    [...]    There were some folks at the Constitutional Convention, led by Ben Franklin, who were fearful we would end up in this country with a king. We may not call him a king or we may not call her a queen, but we would end up with a king. They were dead-set determined to make sure we did not do that.

       If we read through the Constitution, it is an intricate set of checks and balances that are designed to make sure that we have a President but we do not have a king. With those sets of checks and balances, the Constitution has served us extraordinarily well.

       The Constitution also said, in addition to having a House and a Senate and how one gets elected to serve and how long they serve, it also said the House and Senate could each set out their rules. The Constitution does not say what the rules of the Senate are. It says we can write our own, and we have done that.

       We heard earlier this afternoon about how the rules have been changed with respect to invoking cloture to end debate. Before 1917, Senators could not invoke cloture. Another Senator could talk literally as long as they could stand. From about 1917 to 1975 or so, the rule was that there had to be roughly a two-thirds supermajority to be able to end debate. Using the rules of the Senate to effect change, the rules were changed to say, no, a three-fifths majority, 60 Senators, is needed to bring debate to a close.

      [...]

       I ran into a friend of mine not long ago who has loosely been following this debate on judicial nominations. He asked: Why do you not confirm more of the President's judicial nominees? And I said: How many do you think we have confirmed, or what percentage do you think we have confirmed?

       He said: Maybe half.

       And I said: No, no my friend, 95 percent.

       He said: Really? Do you not have a lot of vacancies on the Federal judiciary bench?

       I said: No. We have one of the lowest vacancy rates we have had in years.

       I asked him in return: While we have confirmed over the last 4 years 95 percent of President Bush's nominees to the bench, what percentage of President Clinton's nominees do you think were confirmed during his first 4 years?

       Well, I do not have a chart here that says what the answer to that question is, but just to remind us all, from 2001 to the beginning of this year, 95 percent of President Bush's nominees have been confirmed.

       If I had a magic marker I would make a big yellow line through this and write in 81 percent because that is the percentage of President Clinton's nominees that were confirmed in his first 4 years.

       There is a great irony. I am told we never heard a peep or a squeak from our friends on the other side of the aisle during the first Clinton administration when his nominees were denied a vote on the floor. It was not because of a filibuster. They were denied a vote on the floor because somebody on the other side of the aisle in the Senate Judiciary Committee would not let a hearing be held, not on one or two judges nominated by Bill Clinton but on scores of them. They would not have a hearing. They would not let a nominee out of committee. They did not have to kill them on the floor in a filibuster. They did it in committee, quietly, out of the view of the public.

       Now, why just a few years ago was it okay to deny 19 percent of President Clinton's nominees an up-or-down vote on this floor? Why was that okay? And why is it with this President--he received 95 percent of what he wants and actually in the end he will get more than that. There are a couple from Michigan that we are going to confirm. Some of the 10 have basically withdrawn their names or retired from the bench.

       The figure of 95 percent actually understates what ultimately this President will realize in confirmation victories.

       The other number I want to share, talking about advice and consent, is 2,703. This number is 1. What do they refer to? During the first 4 years of President Bush's presidency, he nominated over 200 judges. Republicans and Democrats voted on those judges. There were 2,703 aye votes from the Republican side of the aisle on President Bush's judicial nominees. In those 4 years, there was one nay vote from the Republican side of the aisle on a judicial nominee of this President.

       We can argue forever what advice and consent really was meant to be when the Constitution was written.

       But if we are in a situation where 50 percent plus 1, 51 percent, would enable a nominee of this President or any other President to go on to serve for life on the Federal bench, and if you look at the last 4 years and only 1 person out of 2,704 votes was no, does that give you any kind of confidence that we are going to see any sort of checks and balances going forward? It doesn't give me much.

       I do not care if you are a Democrat or Republican, it should not matter. It should not matter who is in the White House or the House and Senate. But when you get a situation where you have one party that controls the White House and one party controls the House of Representatives and one party controls the Senate, and you have, out of 2,704 votes for judicial nominees, only 1 Republican Senator who ever voted no, and it was for somebody initially nominated by Bill Clinton, that is something we ought to worry about.

    Sorry for the long, but it's damn important.

    by georgia10 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:11:22 AM PDT

    •  Do these guys think

      that Republicans in their state are going to say, Gee, he voted for Alito so I guess I'll vote for a Democrat!

      Right.  Who do they think they are going to win over by caving?

      by daveriegel on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:59:08 AM PDT

    •  Just left Carper a message...

      ...Biden is uncommitted too.

      5:33pm EST

      by ebradlee10 on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 02:31:13 PM PDT

  •  And what about HRC??

    See post above: http://www.dailykos.com/...

    by whometense on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:23:05 AM PDT

  •  Makes perfect sense

    I'm sure if these red state dems support Alito, their Republican opponents will not use culture war wedge issues against them in the next election. Christian conservatives will take a fair and unbiased look at both candidates. And everyone can agree to debate the real issues, dammit!

    /snark

    Yeah, right.

    by sohei on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:09:00 PM PDT

  •  Just for the record

    Delaware is not a red state.

    Carper has just declared on the floor that he will vote no. I didn't hear him say anything about whether he will support cloture.

    by TPetey on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:12:06 PM PDT

  •  Kent Conrad's number

    is [phone]
    

    by SensibleShoes on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 01:25:12 PM PDT

•  Consider posting in open thread here &

  crossposting in threads at TPM and Atrios-

  I linked to your diary at FDL...
  Thanks for a touch of hope :)

  by Rigjob on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:47:18 AM PDT

  •  Thanks...can you crosspost at TPM and Atrios?

    I actually have to go back to my paid job now for a little while...don't have accounts at TPM and Atrios anyway (working for a living is sadly a rather regular affliction of mine ;-)

    by MH in PA on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:20:30 AM PDT

•  Diarist... please post which senators to call....

  So people can just run right down the list.....

  I know.. Feinstein....

  by letsfight on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:47:23 AM PDT

  •  Lots of people are calling her

    I got an "all of our lines are busy now" message.

    by silence on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:24:52 AM PDT

    •  spoke w DiFi staffer

      Pondite: I know DiFi is voting no, but I URGE her to stand up for the constitution and support a filibuster.

      Staffer:  I'll let her know.

      Pondite: what's her position on cloture vote

      Staffer: she has no public position

      Pondite:  Well I urge her to join other Dems and stand up for Constitution.

      by Pondite on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 11:34:04 AM PDT

•  I'd like to believe it

  but the source/validity is somewhat questionable.

  I'll recommend, but mostly in the hope that it'll encourage an official confirmation/denial from the Kerry side.

  by TVOR on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:50:22 AM PDT

  •  Kerry's Comments On The Senate Floor

    Last night, and the feedback to his diaries here that underscored this issue, makes me very confident this is right.

    We shall see but I have faith. Again.

    by NewDirection on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 09:53:25 AM PDT

    •  Kerry

      Didn't hear him last night, but yesterday during the hearing, after he said all of the awful things that would happen to the country and the court if Alito was confirmed, he said "I hope I am proven wrong."

      As I posted yesterday, I take that to be that he hopes he is proved wrong when Alito is on the court, by his rulings. How else? Seemed to me, by that statement, Kerry thinks it's a done deal and no filibuster.
      

      by OLinda on Thu Jan 26, 2006 at 10:16:49 AM PDT

      •  Kerry

        Okay, I couldn't stand it, so I called his office. Was told yes, Kerry is in favor of a filibuster. "He is talking with his colleagues in the senate about the feasibility of a filibuster."

        I asked for clarification on "feasibility," and was told roughly:

        "At this time it is not exactly that he is urging them to do one, but is discussing the feasibility of a filibuster."

        Sounds a little nuanced to me!!! The staff has the KerrySpeak down pretty pat.

        I say the diary is correct.
        

        by OLinda on