The biggest problem that we face in the Scalito fight is not the red state Dems. The biggest problem that we face is the blue state Dems. Put aside, for a moment, our difficulties w/ the likes of the 2 Nelsons, Salazar, and the Dakotans. What is the story w/ the likes of Obama, Biden, Carper, and Lieberman?
I live in FL, a purple state that essentially became a red state largely due to the incompetence of the state party. If Nelson votes "aye" on cloture, I will be very unhappy, esp since I've done so much lobbying of him. To a certain extent, however, I will understand it. Even though the guy is clobbering Cruella in every poll, he's still afraid of being slimed w/ ads blasting him for filibustering. He'll still get slimed for something else if he does vote for cloture, but let's give him some slack for the moment.
What slack should we be giving Biden and Carper? How about Obama? Why is Joementum still on the fence? Why did DiFi finally relent fairly late in the day after repeatedly dismissing the idea from the start? Why is Akaka supporting cloture? What is WRONG w/ these people?
Biden's in his 6th term. I can't remember the last time he faced a halfway serious opponent. He and DiFi were passing the bucket back and forth on CNN pouring cold water on the idea of a filibuster while the hearings were still going on. Does he honestly think that the WH dumped Miers for Scalito b/c of Scalito's superior judicial restraint? Does he doubt for a minute that Scalito will vote down the line for this corrupt regime on ANY question of presidential power that comes before the Court?
If we had started w/ a united front from the blue state Dems, this filibuster drive would be VASTLY easier. Instead, not only are we having to lean on purple and red state Dems, we're still having to lean on blue staters. I honestly don't understand that.
My views on primary fights have changed markedly in a matter of days. A week ago, I was willing to support Casey, and I thought that Pennachio was an unnecessary diversion. Today, I'd consider donating to Pennachio. I'm also looking at donating to Lamont. I WANT to see Cindy Sheehan challenge DiFi very badly, and I will donate to her campaign if she runs. If someone were to challenge Biden or Carper in a primary, I might open my checkbook for that candidate as well.
The one thing that we all need to take from this process is the need to rethink our approach to primaries. I understand circling the wagons once a primary is over. I don't understand, however, blindly falling in line behind feckless incumbents. Let these people sweat a little and know that they can't take our support for granted.
I'd be curious to see if this view is widely shared.
EDIT: Lautenberg and Menendez (esp the latter) still appear to be uncertain. NJ is the bluest of the blue. Those 2 should've been in the bag at the start of this proces. They shouldn't be up in the air at this stage.