Daily Kos

And now, let's get to work...

by georgia10

Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:02:00 AM PDT

This is a follow-up to Armando's great posts this morning on the filibuster. Improbable? Yeah. Impossible? Never.  Take 15 minutes out of your weekend for democracy's sake. Track the updates on the cloture count here. Here is the latest update:

NO on cloture (announced support for a filibuster):


  1. Barbara Boxer (D- CA)
  2. Dianne Feinstein (D- CA)
  3. Christopher J. Dodd (D- CT)
  4. Richard J. Durbin (D- IL)
  5. John F. Kerry (D- MA)
  6. Edward M. Kennedy (D- MA)
  7. Paul S. Sarbanes (D- MD)
  8. Debbie A. Stabenow (D- MI)
  9. Harry Reid (D- NV)
  10. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY)
  11. Charles Schumer (D- NY)
  12. Ron Wyden (D- OR)
  13. Russell D. Feingold (D- WI)
  14. Barack Obama (D-IL)
  15. Joe Biden (D-DE)
  16. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (?)(see update)

Action items below the fold:

  • ::
Senators To Call:

Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D- AR), 202-224-4843
Joseph I. Lieberman (D- CT), 202-224-4041
Thomas R. Carper (D- DE), 202-224-2441
Daniel K. Inouye (D- HI), 202-224-3934
Tom Harkin (D- IA), 202-224-3254
Evan Bayh (D- IN), 202-224-5623
Barbara A. Mikulski (D- MD), 202-224-4654
Carl Levin (D- MI), 202-224-6221
Mark Dayton (D- MN), 202-224-3244
Max Baucus (D- MT), 202-224-2651
Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ), 202-224-3224
Jeff Bingaman (D- NM), 202-224-5521
Jack Reed (D- RI), 202-224-4642
Patrick J. Leahy (D- VT), 202-224-4242
Maria Cantwell (D- WA), 202-224-3441
Patty Murray (D- WA), 202-224-2621
Herb Kohl (D- WI), 202-224-5653
John D. Rockefeller, IV (D- WV), 202-224-6472
James M. Jeffords (I- VT), 202-224-5141

Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D- DE) , 202-224-5042
Bill Nelson (D- FL), 202-224-5274
Daniel K. Akaka (D- HI), 202-224-6361
Mary Landrieu (D- LA), 202-224-5824
Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND), 202-224-2551
Olympia Snowe (R- ME), 202-224-5344

The bold are those in most need of some convincing. Senators Biden, Nelson, Akaka, Landrieu, Dorgan, and Snowe have stated they would likely not support a filibuster. Not a firm stance, like Chaffee, Salazar, Pryor, and Conrad, so there is reason to  keep calling them.

Some key things to keep in mind:

  1.  Don't give up on "Yes" votes.  Pressure from the blogosphere is working.  We've seen that with Senator Feinstein changing her mind and voting against cloture.  

  2.  Fax. The mailboxes of many Senators are full, as are some of their inboxes. You can fax a filibuster fax to 13 Senators for free over at SaveTheCourt.org..  Their form targets the following Senators: Barack Obama, Christopher Dodd, Joseph Lieberman, Joseph Biden, Richard Durbin, Evan Bayh, Olympia Snowe, Harry Reid, Charles Schumer, Hillary Clinton, Lincoln Chafee and Russell Feingold. Fax numbers for all senators will be listed in the comments.

  3.  Do They Want A President Or A King?: This should be the talking point, for Judge Alito has made it clear the Presidency has no one to answer to but itself.  A vote for Alito is a vote for a man who believes the President can thumb his nose at Congress and at our precious system of checks and balances.

  4. The American People Oppose Alito.: 56% of Americans say Alito should NOT be confirmed if he will overturn Roe. Alito refused to call Roe "well-settled" law, and has throughout his lifetime taken the legal position that Roe should be eroded and overruled.

Let our Senators know that a vote for cloture is a vote which silences the will of the American people. And let's see if we can pull off a little weekend miracle...

Update [2006-1-28 14:26:49 by georgia10]::
  • 1-888-355-3588 is the toll-free number for the Capitol Switchboard. Fax numbers for all senators are here. Email addresses can be found here.
  • You can send a free fax through your browser. Try this site and this site.
  • If the D.C. mailbox is full, try their local office.

Update [2006-1-28 15:47:24 by georgia10]:: Although numerous people have told me Obama is a no on cloture, there seems to be some confusion. So he's off the list until I confirm with a definite source.

Update [2006-1-28 18:8:20 by georgia10]:: It appears the free fax pages have been overloaded or have some other problem. I'll keep looking for another site you can use.

Update [2006-1-28 18:22:48 by georgia10]:: There were multiple people who said they called Menendez's office and confirmed he was FOR a filibuster. However, in Kennedy's conference call, he named Menendez in the list of senators to pressure. I'd err on the side of caution and say to keep calling Menendez, 202-224-4744.

Update [2006-1-29 13:4:29 by georgia10]:: Obama will vote against cloture, as will Joe Biden as announced on the Sunday news shows (I've updated the roster up top). Durbin says he has 37 votes.

Tags: Samuel Alito, Supreme Court, Senate, filibuster (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 465 comments

  •  Keep up the Fight... (4.00 / 1)

    Use all the Ammo you can find.

    The Reality-Based Community Our Truth - Our Soundtrack

    by Vyan on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:05:04 AM PDT

    •  FILIBUSTER ALITO image 4 U 2 Copy, Send, make Sign (none / 0)

      FILIBUSTER ALITO image

      4 U 2 Copy, Send, make Signs

      also a ...

      Get Up and WAlk Out

      on Bu$h State of the Union Speech

      Go Get Em... Click

      http://www.RogerART.com
      .
      PASS them ON

      Thank U, RogerART.com
      .

      LET'S CREATE ( www. One Global Community .com ) 4 All EARTH CITIZENS

      by TheBuffaloPartycom on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:53:20 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  With love from Democrats.com (4.00 / 13)

      Check out the second to last bullet....

      Saturday Updates:

      ^^Senators are freaking out! They've all turned off their DC phones and their voicemails are full. Let's try their state offices (details coming) and get ready to start calling DC again at 9:00 a.m. on Monday!
      ^^Bush is freaking out! He used his Saturday radio address to demand an "upperdown" vote, exactly 91 days after denying Harriet Miers her "upperdown" vote! Maybe he's reading his hopeless polls?
      ^^The corporate media whores are freaking out!
      ^^Pro-filibuster additions: Paul Sarbanes (#13)
      ^^Three Democratic men told us to go fuck ourselves: Mark Pryor, Ken Salazar, and Kent Conrad. I'm tracking their statements at AlitoTraitorWatch
      ^^20-odd Senators can't figure out what to do. With a hat-tip to Josh Marshall, I'm calling them the "Clueless Caucus" and tracking their statements at AlitoWaffleWatch
      ^^Read these great blogs from BuzzFlash, John Nichols, Huffington Post and BradBlog. And for off-topic fun, don't miss Bob Geiger's Saturday Cartoons.
      ^^Through Vatican spokesman Cardinal Armando, Pope Markos I blessed the Kossack peasant uprising, and there is much joy in KosVille!
      ^^Watch the Young Turks filibuster.

      ...once you're willing to say whatever it takes to win, you lose. ~~Dean

      by dkmich on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:55:52 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  2nd to last bullet NOT TO BE MISSED!!! (4.00 / 4)

        Precious!

        Every dollar a for-profit insurance company spends on your care, is a dollar that goes against the coroporate balance sheet. --nyceve

        by letsfight on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:59:19 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Heavy Artillery for the filibuster fight (none / 1)

          On a weekend, you may have difficulty reaching a real live person with whom to talk when you call the various senators' offices, but you can always reach their fax machines!

          Here is a flyer (in PDF form) that should be faxed to senators who are still sitting on the fence. click on the graphic at left, or go to this diary for more information.

          Keep up the fight! We must not lose this one!

          While it is sometimes true that Christians don't lie, it is often true that liars pretend they are Christians.

          by Dan Hrkman on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:23:46 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      •  This is what they sent me... (4.00 / 3)


        At the start of the day, only Dick Durbin and Debbie Stabenow supported Kerry and Kennedy. Just before noon, Hillary Clinton's office called to say she supported us. Then Harry Reid came on board, along with Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, Ron Wyden, Chris Dodd, and (I think) Chuck Schumer.

         

        Most importantly, we even picked up Dianne Feinstein, who just yesterday said she opposed a filibuster.

         

        That's 12 votes for a filibuster - and exactly 12 more votes than we had two days ago!

         

        I believe we really can stop Alito by Monday at 4:30 p.m. - but here's what we must do.

         

        1. Ignore the media whores. Karl Rove is feeding them lies as he always does, and they are swallowing those lies as they always do. The only media that matters is the media we are creating right here by calling each Senator and getting a YES or NO statement from them.

         

        2. Keep calling the Senators who are undecided or opposed to a filibuster. You can call their DC office all weekend and leave polite but firm voicemails urging the Senators to support Kerry's filibuster. When offices open on Monday 9 a.m. ET, make another round of calls. Let's shut down the Capitol switchboard on Monday!

         

        http://democrats.com/alito-48

         

        3. Call the DNC (202-863-8000) and the DSCC (202-224-2447) and tell them your 2006 contributions will depend on the success of the Alito filibuster. Tell them they need to get every Democratic Senator on board.

         

        4. Wake up the sleeping bloggers. Where are the biggest blogs, including DailyKos.com, TalkingPointsMemo.com, CrooksandLiars.com, and AmericaBlog.com? (Complaining about how Democrats played last week won't cut it -we're in the Super Bowl and we can win this damn game if we get Democrats to play their best game on Monday - and hopefully the rest of this coming week.) Thanks to Agonist, BobGeiger, BradBlog, BuzzFlash, CultureKitchen, The Democratic Daily, DemocraticUnderground, Eschaton, Firedoglake, Mahablog, MakeThemAccountable, Mark Crispin Miller, NewsDissector, PoliticalWire, RudePundit, Vichy Democrats and everyone else who's plugging this.

         

        5. Lend a hand to real-world groups like NOW, People for the American Way, Feminist Majority, Backbone Campaign, Moveon, Planned Parenthood, Progressive Democrats of America, and Working Assets Long Distance, which have worked tirelessly for two months to Stop Alito.

         

        6. Call talk shows like Air America, C-SPAN, etc. and talk about what we're doing on this blog and how we're killing ourselves to stop Alito - and how we can win if everyone who cares about the future of our Democracy joins us.

         

        7. Keep hope alive - because American Democracy is worth it!!!

        Although they're getting pretty haughty and gloaty over at RedState - It doesn't look like the Dems are anywhere near giving up the ghost yet.

        Vyan

        The Reality-Based Community Our Truth - Our Soundtrack

        by Vyan on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:37:10 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Efaxsend.com - it is easy, costs a few cents but ? (none / 0)

          Just now - 821 EST - I couldn't get through on any of the DNC lines (all mailboxes full) but I did manage to leave a message on the DSCC voicemail.

          In my particular case, I was very clear about while not be a registered democrat, I have given thousands of dollars to various Democratic campaigns in the past - and I will NEVER give another dime to anyone who doesn't support this filibuster.

          I have faxes or emailed Byrd, Bayh, Milkulski, Lieberman and Salazar (I spend as much time as possible in CO) ... I will send some more faxes tomorrow. I used efax - where I can fax right from my computer - it costs a few cents - but SO WHAT....

          efaxsend.com - it makes it very easy to type an email that is turned into a fax with the fax number as the address.  I tried Harkin in DC but got unsuccessful transmission - maybe out of paper?

          by Rossitercapital on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 05:26:31 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  CONTACT THE DNC! (4.00 / 4)

      Tell them something like this:

      I have been an ardent supporter of the Democratic agenda, INCLUDING financial support.

      Future donations will be allocated directly by the criteria of whether or not a Democratic Senator supported this fillibuster.  

      I refuse to throw my money away on a weak opposition that is self-fulfilling the "prophecy of lies" put forth by Fox news and their ilk.

      I want to see some return on my investment.

      Im mad as hell.

      Today, Im going to obey ALL the rules.

      by siiirrrr on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:44:34 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  With 'Dems' like these who needs Republicans? (4.00 / 2)

        Why should you fund cogs in the GOP juggernaut? (Attributions and embedded links for the following:)

        Robert Byrd (WV) : 1/26/06: Judge Alito told me that he respected the separation of powers and would not rule in support of a power-hungry President. I liked that answer, and I liked Judge Alito. He struck me as a man of his word, and I intend to vote for him.
        .
        Joe Biden (DE):  1/28/06: Sees "no reasonable prospect that a filibuster could work or function."
        .
        Kent Conrad (ND): 1/28/06 "I do not think a filibuster will be successful. A filibuster is not going to be sustained... It is clear to me that a majority of the American people and the people I represent support his confirmation."
        .
        Mark Pryor (AR): 1/28/06 "While I personally cannot support Judge Alito's confirmation on the Supreme Court, there is not a smoking gun in his past that would warrant 'extraordinary circumstances' and subsequently a filibuster against his nomination. I have faith in the 13 other members who forged the 'Gang of 14. In exchange for preserving the minority party's right to filibuster a judge, we all agreed a higher threshold must be met before this action is taken."

        Why are stiffs like these getting your money?

        These are Democrats running for the Senate who expect Democrats to give them money and votes after they tell us to go fuck ourselves:
        .
        Bob Casey (PA) - in a Democratic primary with anti-Alito candidates Chuck Pennachio and Alan Sandals: 1/24: "I agree with The Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post editorial boards that the arguments against Judge Alito do not rise to the level that would require a vote denying him a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court."
        .
        Harold Ford (TN): 1/27: "It does not appear that there is any reason to hold up a vote. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will move quickly to bring this process to a dignified end," he said.

        by Peanut on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 02:00:30 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  This Weekend we should fax (none / 1)

      Since the senators offices are closed this weekend, and many of their telephone numbers voice mail full, we should fax over the weekend.  Someone has posted a few fax internet service, which is www.tpc.int, and I have found the fax and email messages of every member of Congress on, of all things, a conservative Web site!!

      Here are the fax and email and phone numbers of all members of Congress:

       http://www.conservativeusa.org/...

      "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."-FDR

      by Michigan Paul on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:56:14 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Free Fax Service (none / 1)

        Here is the web page for the free fax internet service:

        http://www.tpc.int/

        "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."-FDR

        by Michigan Paul on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:57:40 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Not sure about that site (none / 0)

          myself and a couple of others have posted downthread about the faxes not going through. I sent six faxes maybe an hour ago and still have not gotten any confirmation that they went through. Others have said that theirs didn't go through. I'd hate to spend all that time to fax every Senator on the list if there's a chance it's not going to work.

          by Prison4Bushco on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:03:56 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Faxes not going through (none / 0)

            I better check my email.  I've already called both my Michigan Senators Friday, (Stabenow in favor of filibuster, Carl Levin no position as of yet), and in anger screamed at Harry Reid's staffer before I learned he had switched and said he would support the filibuster.

            I just faxed Robert Byrd and Carl Levin on that free service.  The message said my fax was sent but they would confirm it with an email.  I'm going to check my email just to make sure.

            Thanks.

            "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."-FDR

            by Michigan Paul on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:16:44 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  You're Right (none / 0)

              Skip that free fax service. I just checked my email and my faxes were returned undeliverable.

              This "free" service is not working.  Skip it people.  Use your own or go to Kinkos and fax your messages.

              Also, Robert Byrds website has a "web-based" fax service, and that is not working as well.

              "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."-FDR

              by Michigan Paul on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:21:15 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  I sent 4 to tcp/returned (none / 0)

            no response from them on e-mail inquiry about why they are returned. I have faxed through them before, and it worked. We might have overloaded?
            I am e-mailing, and making calls as well.

            Hands off my Social Security, John McCain.

            by emmasnacker on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:54:39 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Scrap that it doesn't work (none / 0)

          Forget this, it doesn't work.

          Sorry.

          "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself."-FDR

          by Michigan Paul on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:21:50 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  Please, folks (4.00 / 4)

      Don't do fraud. There are some suggestions around of representing oneself with other zips. Don't do it.
      I have been stating at the bottom of my mails that I am not of their state, this is a matter of such importance nationally, a fedral matter, that I feel confident that they will also view it as such. It is in defense of the Constitution of the USA, not of the State of .....

      Hands off my Social Security, John McCain.

      by emmasnacker on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 02:05:51 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Although, (none / 0)

        if you worked out-of-state during the 2004 election, you could mention that.  I've never resided in WV, OH, or PA, but I spent time in each of those states either talking with undecideds or registering voters in support of Kerry.  I trust Dem senators wanted our help at that time; we want their help now.

        "You can't talk to the ignorant about lies, since they have no criteria." --Ezra Pound

        by machopicasso on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 03:50:33 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Fax numbers (3.91 / 35)

    AR: Lincoln(D) (202) 228-1371
    AR: Pryor(D) (202) 228-0908
    CA: Boxer(D) (202) 226-6701
    CA: Feinstein(D) (202) 228-3954
    CO: Salazar(D) (202) 228-5036
    CT: Dodd(D) (202) 224-1083
    CT: Lieberman(D) (202) 224-9750
    DE: Biden(D) (202) 224-0139
    DE: Carper(D) (202) 228-2190
    FL: Nelson(D) (202) 228-2183
    HI: Akaka(D) (202) 224-2126
    HI: Inouye(D) (202) 224-6747
    IA: Harkin(D) (202) 224-9369
    IL: Durbin(D) (202) 228-0400
    IL: Obama(D) (202) 228-4260
    IN: Bayh(D) No FAX listed
    LA: Landrieu(D) (202) 224-9735
    MA: Kennedy(D) (202) 224-2417
    MA: Kerry(D) (202) 224-8525
    MD: Mikulski(D) (202) 224-8858
    MD: Sarbanes(D) (202) 224-1651
    MI: Levin(D) (202) 224-1388
    MI: Stabenow(D) (202) 228-0325
    MN: Dayton(D) (202) 228-2186
    MT: Baucus(D) (202) 224-0515
    ND: Conrad(D) (202) 224-7776
    ND: Dorgan(D) (202) 224-1193
    NE: Nelson(D) (202) 228-0012
    NJ: Corzine(D) (202) 228-2197
    NJ: Lautenberg(D) (202) 224-9707
    NM: Bingaman(D) (202) 224-2852
    NV: Reid(D) (202) 224-7327
    NY: Clinton(D) (202) 228-0282
    NY: Schumer(D) (202) 228-3027
    OR: Wyden(D) (202) 228-2717
    RI: Reed(D) (202) 224-4680
    SD: Johnson(D) (202) 228-0368
    VT: Leahy(D) (202) 224-3595
    VT: Jeffords(I) No FAX listed
    WA: Cantwell(D) (202) 228-0514
    WA: Murray(D) (202) 224-0238
    WI: Feingold(D) (202) 224-2725
    WI: Kohl(D) (202) 224-9787
    WV: Rockefeller(D) (202) 224-7665
    WV: Byrd(D) (202) 228-0002

    by georgia10 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:05:06 AM PDT

  •  Mail boxes are full. (none / 0)

    I tried calling my Senator and a few others and their mail boxes are full.  Any suggestions?

    by Evie on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:06:08 AM PDT

    •  call their local offices (4.00 / 5)

      if you go to your senator's page, there is the contact info for their local offices. Try those numbers.

      by georgia10 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:07:17 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I've been calling nothing but (4.00 / 3)

        local offices.  Folks are friendlier, less harried, and will listen to your best argument if you can make it in 15-30 seconds.

        Show of hands... who would join Kucinich's effort to impeach VP Cheney?

        by Mogolori on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:10:53 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Thanks. I also sent a fax. (none / 0)

        by Evie on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:14:42 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  does this work ??! (none / 0)

        I hate to put a damper on things, but what makes you guys think that a Senator from Nebraska cares what someone in New York or California say?

        You guys also know that the Senate has caller ID and can easily see your area code...

        by onlyeyes on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:32:16 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  I Caught Some Hell (4.00 / 2)

          for this on another thread but if you go to Zip Code Lookup at the USPS.COM you can bypass that problem. Are we Fighting Dems or Not?

          In the past I have called offices who would not listen to me until I gave them a zip to show I was in their state.

          Well if Alito can duck, dodge and lie in front of congress I can certainly counter that by providing a zip code that is friendly to senators. This is democracy we are takling about!

          by Chingon on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:40:28 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  zip code ? (none / 0)

            Yes I agree, but what makes you think they would take you serioulsy if you call with a Los Angeles area code and give them a zip code in Nebraska ?

            by onlyeyes on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:48:05 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Great Question (none / 0)

              If asked: 'I just moved to Nebraska from Los Angeles and haven't changed my cell phone number.'

              Got it? What ever it takes within reason. Fighting Dems, right?

              by Chingon on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:02:09 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  sigh (4.00 / 2)

                I used to intern in an office like that...not many people move from LA to rapid city. And the state is so small, the staffer on the phone asked her, oh what is the name of the main church in town ? And of course she couldn't answer.

                The point is, that senators do not care what out of state callers complain about...and unless everyone from california really does move to the midwest, they will continue not to care. I am saying that I agree with this, but that is the reality of the situation.

                by onlyeyes on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:21:42 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  Folks... (1.50 / 4)

                  What if someone with fairly minimal software savvy and equipment e-mailed and auto faxed by a sender list to all those Democrats you are listing a message containing imbedded images (screen shots) of certain comments on this thread and another, where this ruse of false claims of constituency by fraudulent zip code claim is being advocated, and it becomes apparent to those Senators and staff that their supposed allies are seeking to hoodwink them?

                  What if someone already did that, with links? Or archived the comments, FTPed them and linked to those?

                  Considering how fast this site is on the delete trigger, it is odd that they don't catch and react to their own folks setting themselves up for a fall, embarrassment and even earning the very antipathy of the Senators who hope to persuade!

                  Denis

                  by koswatch on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:39:32 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                  •  What if.... (1.50 / 4)

                    ...someone sent that information about this fraudulent ploy to......FOX?

                    Do you think through what you do and say?

                    Denis

                    by koswatch on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:46:04 PM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                    •  I'm sure you're on the phone now. (none / 0)

                      Always nice to see a member of the 101st Chairborne Chickenhawks posting threats here.

                      Enjoy what little time you have left here...then you can go back home to RedState.org.

                      They're calling our bluff and all we're holding is a Pelosi and a Hoyer.

                      by arbiter on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 02:10:35 PM PDT

                      [ Parent ]

                  •  What If People (none / 0)

                    who were Republicans went out and did voter registration and then threw all the Democratic voter registrations in the trash? Yeah it happened!

                    What If they stole the election by not providing enough voter machines in certain neighborhoods? Yeah that happened too.

                    If you are going to fight pigs then you have to get down in the mud once in a while if you are ever going to have a chance of winning.

                    by Chingon on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 08:59:59 AM PDT

                    [ Parent ]

                •  So The Worst That (none / 0)

                  would happen is you tried to make a difference and were not well received on the phone. So what, at least you tried. Hang up the phone and on to the next phone call. You can't win without trying.

                  Now in the case above, myself, I would then fax the office because I am not a quitter. And if I really wanted to get through on the phone I would *67 and call their non-800 number then there would be no Caller ID to trip me up.

                  You seem to be looking for reasons why things will not work instead of finding work-arounds for making them work. In that case you are defeated before you start.

                  by Chingon on Sun Jan 29, 2006 at 08:54:05 AM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

            •  *67 (none / 0)

              And they ultimately represent ALL US citizens, not just those in their states. Alito will not be on the Nebraska Supreme Court, but on the US Supreme Court. That's why they should care.

              Sic transit gloria mundi - ancient Roman proverb

              by kovie on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:02:36 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  The "democracy" I signed up for (none / 1)

            didn't include lying...

            Government and laws are the agreement we all make to secure everyone's freedom.

            by Simplify on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:13:42 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  As far as I'm concerned (none / 1)

            If they can take money from those of us "outside" their constituency, they can damn sure take our calls as well.

            Barack Obama

            by Otis29 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:14:20 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  They are Hired.... (4.00 / 2)

          By those Locals they Represent!

          But the Decisions Made in Washington, outside of Pork, Cover Everyone In This Country!!

          Makes No Difference Who They Are They Work For You!!


          You Don't 'PLEDGE ALLEGANCE' To A President, Political Party, Religion, or Any Single Ideology!
          You Do 'PLEDGE ALLEGANCE' To The 'United States of America' and All That She Stands For, Lady Liberty!!

          Bring our Veterans All the Way Back Home - PTSD

          by jimstaro on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:56:27 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  because you made the effort to call (none / 0)

          Think about it. How often, if ever, have you called a politician before? For me, never. Never before has any issue bothered me enough to call. Until now.

          They know that people don't call until they're really, really pissed off. Calling means you have to put your ass on the line, on the phone, and actually tell a human being what you think. Even if you're out of state that means a lot. You might know people in their state, or influence them through online, or ... no state is an island.

          --simon

          by sbwoodside on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:25:05 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  um, re-read my comment (none / 0)

          "if you go to your senator's page..."

          You're right though that contact from an out-of-stater will carry less weight than a constituent.

          by georgia10 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:25:24 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  When I answered phones (none / 0)

            in a D.C. Senate office, out-of-state opinions were not counted at all; we would listen to the person on the other end politely, but not take a message.  Faxes from out-of-state went directly to the circular file/recycling bin, or were maybe forwarded to one of the sender's senate offices if they didn't look like form letters.  Emails from non-constituents were deleted.

            Not trying to be a wet blanket - this was 6 years ago, and things may have changed.  Also, others have stated that the Senate staff has indicated they are tallying pro- or con- filibuster positions regardless of state identity.  This fight may wind up being a special case in how these types of things are treated.

            But I still think that the best effort is to focus on your specific senators, and to send as much encourage as possible for everyone else to do the same.  Know someone in one of the critical states?  Convince them to call.  That's still probably better effort spent.

            War is NOT a preventative measure.

            by demandcaring on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:10:01 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  i always tell the truth (none / 0)

          since i'm in california i always tell my senator's staff that i am in the navy stationed in san diego but i still maintain my residency in florida and then give them my mailing address zip code for florida (it's my parents house). the staffer's always say they are quite pleased to hear from his constituents in the military.

          Putting a yellow ribbon on your car is literally the least you can do. Put your money where your mouth is and enlist or shut the fuck up.

          by darwinsjoke on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:40:50 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  Partial solution (none / 0)

          Some of us worked in states other than our own during the 2004 election (e.g. some MD residents either campaigned or registered voters in WV, PA, and OH).  Granted, that's not on a par with being a constituent.  But one would think Democratic senators would appreciate those who enter their states to campaign on behalf of a Democratic presidential candidate.  It's ultimately in their best interest, after all.  

          "You can't talk to the ignorant about lies, since they have no criteria." --Ezra Pound

          by machopicasso on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:58:00 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  My Senator is from Florida and i am trying to (none / 0)

          contact him.

          by Evie on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 02:24:55 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

    •  fax their local office too. n/t (none / 0)

      The essence of the Liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held, but in how they are held... -Bertrand Russell

      by glynis on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:14:17 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Some other fax info (4.00 / 4)

    A site called The Phone Company offers free online faxing (text only).  I've been getting my fax numbers at this contact site.  This is the text of the letter I'm sending (pre-georgia10's diary... I think I'll add the 56% info to the rest).

    Dear Senator,

    As I'm sure you know, millions of Americans are very concerned about President Bush's nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.  There are strong indications that he will undermine our essential American right to privacy, and that he will destroy the vital checks and balances that have kept this country free and strong for over 200 years.  

    Senator Kerry has announced a filibuster to stop the lifetime appointment of this extremist conservative to the Supreme Court.  I am writing to thank you for supporting this filibuster! (this was for HRC, but for others I simply asked them to support the filibuster)  Millions of Americans depend on an unbiased court that will defend our civil liberties, and millions of Democratic voters are watching our representatives very closely.  I have volunteered on Democratic campaigns, and have voted for the Democratic candidate in every election, but this issue means a great deal to me.  Judge Alito's confirmation will have a historic, negative effect on cherished American rights and liberties.  As a young man, I fear that Senator Alito's presence on the court will affect the shape of the rest of my life; he will decide whether I live in a free country or one with a "unitary executive".  I hope we can depend on you to protect our vital freedoms.

    Thank you,
    Neal Shah

    Read James Loewen's "Sundown Towns"!

    by ChicagoDem on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:06:19 AM PDT

  •  1-888-355-3588 toll free (none / 0)

    Contact Senators - toll free
    Toll free number 1-888-355-3588 to Capitol Switchboard. Just ask for the Senators by name.

    Thanks for EVERYTHING, Daily Kos. You are all great and helpful.

    Best Diary of the Year? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/03912/3990

    by LNK on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:07:52 AM PDT

  •  A vote for cloture..., (4.00 / 2)

    and a no vote on Alito is BULLSHIT. Let your Senator know that you know.

    CHRISTIAN, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. A. Bierce

    by irate on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:07:52 AM PDT

  •  not getting through to.... (none / 0)

    ...Landrieu or Salazar over the phone. I don't have a fax machine but I have a scanner and I think somehow I can use that to fax. Also I am connected by cable so I'm unable to dial out on my computer. I guess I'm asking for help on faxing from my machine.

    -4.50, -5.32

    by roastedcoyote on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:08:08 AM PDT

  •  I'd say that it's doubtful... (none / 1)

    to get Senator Rockefeller to vote differently than Senator Byrd on this issue. Good luck! I hope you can convince Jay to stay up for the Constitution since Byrd obviously won't.

    by mph2005 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:08:15 AM PDT

    •  Sen. Byrd (none / 0)

      I think the only way Sen. Byrd would reconsider his position would be a heart to heart conversation with someone he respects in private I don't think us lobbing him will do much good.  Now who can we get to go have a talk with him.

      there is never time to do it right, but always time to do it over -6.88/-4.31

      by DeadB0y on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:17:52 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  If we had the power to... (none / 1)

        I don't know... resurrect James Madison and Thomas Jefferson from the grave. Maybe Byrd would listen to them. Oops, wishful thinking. He's listening to his Southern Baptist diatribe over the Constitution AGAIN. Byrd is a relative theocrat, hence, it's time for him to go. BRING A NEW GENERATION OF DEMOCRATS TO WEST VIRGINIA; THE "GOOD-OL-BOYS" HAVE FAILED

        by mph2005 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:34:20 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  call him a hypocrite, loudly and repeatedly... (4.00 / 2)

          "Senator Byrd,

          I am very disappointed that you have apparently decided to oppose a filibuster next week regarding Judge Alito's Supreme Court nomination.  I am a life-long Democrat and have always loved watching your beautiful orations on C-Span over the years, waving around your little pocket copy of the Constitution.  I believed that here was a politician that actually believed in something, that stood for the one thing that makes America the greatest country in the world.

          But it seems that those convictions fly out the window when it comes to political expediency.  If you call yourself a Democrat - if you in any way oppose the executive branch's current attempt to grab more power for itself - then PLEASE think long and hard before rejecting the filibuster option.  All signs point to Alito's willingness to blindly sign off on whatever this neoconservative administration wants; Judge Roberts is already proving to be anything but the middle-of-the-road justice everybody said he would be.

          Going down without a fight on this issue tells me, and the millions of like-minded Democrats, that all your pontificating about the Bush administration's policies over the last five years has been just so much hypocritical blovating.  If you really BELIEVE in what we stand for, for God's sake DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!  Take a stand - fight for what's right.  You will have no room to complain in two or three months about the actions of this administration, if your own actions on the Senate floor are shown to have blown with the proverbial political winds."

          In all likelihood, some junior staffer's the only one who will ever read this, but at least I tried...wouldn't Byrd be shocked if he was run out of office on just this issue!  Maybe if Democrats start seeing actual political consequences for all their vacillation...at this point, I don't know what else to do.

          by Pianolion on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:08:09 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Don't call him a hypocrite... (none / 1)

            Argue respectfully, but firmly and persuasively.

            Resorting to name calling will get you nowhere with these people.

            They will stop listening the moment you do.

            With a maverick like John McCain, who needs a toady?

            by Malacandra on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:41:08 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Believe me, I've tried... (none / 0)

              the logical, point-by-point letters nicely asking Congressmen to do this or vote for that, defy the administration, help push through Katrina bills, focus on national health care - but frankly, I'm starting to run out of patience.

              Don't worry, I'm a firm believer in civility in letters, blogging, posts, whatever - name-calling just degenerates and demeans a debate and the important issues it may espouse.  But lately I feel like we Democrats need to start calling them like we see them.  And if Sen. Byrd (or any other Democrat) waves around the Constitution in one hand while raising the other in favor of a court justice appointed by the same administration eager to concentrate executive power...then I certainly feel no compunction in screaming HYPOCRITE from the rooftops!

              by Pianolion on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:15:03 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

              •  Why should they listen? (none / 0)

                A while back there was a piece posted here about how poorly the Dems in Congress were polling, but that there wasn't any reason to worry since even those who didn't really care for the Dems would never vote GOP.

                Folks, they don't listen because they don't have to.  They know the old argument "vote for us or the GOP will win" will carry them through on election day.

                If you are complaining about the Dems lacking spine, then grow some spine of your own and vote against them.  Otherwise, why the hell should they listen to your ranting.

                James Carville re: Democrats in 2006: "If we can't win in this environment, we have to question the whole premise of the party."

                by RJohnson64 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:53:41 PM PDT

                [ Parent ]

                •  bush v. gore redux (none / 1)

                  If the choice is between immoral thugs and milquetoast enablers of that immorality, voters will stay home.

                  Sure, D candidates can say "Vote for us or the GOP wins."  But if the Democratic party doesn't stand in opposition to the GOP, don't be surprised when the answer is "Yeah, so what?"

                  by bobsquatch on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 02:51:14 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

                •  Don't worry... (none / 0)

                  I fully plan on it.

                  My solution to Senator Byrd's transgression:

                  On May 9, 2006, the West Virginia 2006 Democratic Primary will be held. For all West Virginians who are distraught with Senator Byrd's vote to confirm Scalito, write-in the name of former Governor BOB WISE as a statement to Senator Byrd. Let the State Party know your displeasure with Byrd, and prepare Wise to succeed Byrd.

                  by mph2005 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 03:26:32 PM PDT

                  [ Parent ]

          •  I regret sending Byrd money and want it back. (none / 0)

            It's a betrayal especially since I'm not technically his constituent, except as a US citizen.

            The whole point was his promise to defend the Constitution, and he has been a hypocrite - his participation in the Gang of 14 should have been a tip-off.  And his Klan past.

            I left his office a voice mail yesterday.  When it's easier to get through on the phones, I plan to call and get them to refund the money I sent, which I consider was obtained under false pretenses.

            levity defies gravity

            by Levity on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 03:19:35 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      •  Senator Kennedy (none / 1)

        should talk to Senator Byrd.

        by Patricia Taylor on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:43:13 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Which Democrat most has his ear? (none / 1)

        I.e. which Democrat, currently holding office or not, does he most respect on such matters, and/or would he be most likely to listen to and be convinced to change his mind by? I assume that it would have to be a lawyer who's also a constitutional expert or scholar, or perhaps a current or former senator who has shown great respect for senate history and traditions.

        Sic transit gloria mundi - ancient Roman proverb

        by kovie on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:15:03 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Byrd's Criteria? (none / 0)

        Byrd's doesn't just oppose the filibuster.  He actually wants Alito to be nominated.  You can read his "explanation" here: http://byrd.senate.gov/....
        He claims there that he is at heart "conservative".  He agrees with the constituents who wrote and called the hearings a "disgrace".  He seems that he has been offended that the hearings were not more amiable.  He apparently thinks that is more important than protecting the checks and balances of government or human rights.
        He was also apparently very moved by the fact that several of the people who wrote to him used paper with lines (see link).  It's as if they did so while watching t.v., he muses.  Huh?  
        In sum, he seems quite unreasonable.

        Class conflict is essential if freedom is to be preserved, because it is the only barrier against class domination. -- Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

        by cnkays on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 12:44:16 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Mines (none / 0)

          Didn't Alito previously rule in favor of relaxing mining safety requirements? In that regard, and the recent mining disasters in West Virginia, I'm surprised this isn't being made into more of an issue.

          The ONLY thing the Republicans are successful in is marketing their talking points to the public.

          by jeffwass on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:20:47 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  RNS Services v. Secretary of Labor (none / 0)

            Alito tried to exempt a company from having to comply with the "Mine Safety and Health Act".  He said this company was an exception because it was associated with a coal-processing plant. Connection? The other judges all saw no connection.  He was the dissenting opinion.

            Here is another labor related decision of his:
            Homar v. Gilbert - Alito rules that suspension without a hearing and without pay doesn't violate the right of federal workers to due process.
            (link with more info)

            Once again Alito expresses his annoyance with due process of law.

            Class conflict is essential if freedom is to be preserved, because it is the only barrier against class domination. -- Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

            by cnkays on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 01:36:01 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

  •  Corzine is no longer the Senator from NJ... (none / 0)

    He is now the Governor of NJ and appointed Menendez to replace him.  I do not know his phone number or fax number but he will be facing the NJ 80% Pro-Choice voters in November.

    Obama/Whoever He Chooses '08 Winning Change for America and the Democratic Party

    by dvogel001 on Sat Jan 28, 2006 at 11:09:16 AM PDT