Alias
Banned
Caitlin Halligan has been defeated in a cloture vote. Senate Republicans held firm (including Scott Brown and the Maine twins, but excluding Alaska's Lisa Murkowksi) and blocked the nomination. Self-stylized "moderate" Democrats like Ben Nelson, Joe Manchin, Claire McCaskill, and Bob Casey all voted to move this radical nomination (see below) forward. The final tally was 54-45, six votes shy of the requisite 60. As I've written before, I oppose the practice of judicial filibusters on principle, but Democrats set this precedent, and should be forced to wear its consequences:
Many conservatives strenuously objected to Democrats' obstructionist tactics on this front during the Bush years, arguing that Congress was abusing its "advice and consent" role in the nomination process. Nowhere does the Constitution state that a Senate supermajority is required to confirm a presidential appointment to the third branch. In fact, James Madison once argued that a supermajority should be necessary to block a president's pick. Undeterred, Democrats charged ahead with their ideology-driven obstruction, pushing the Senate to the brink of "nuclear" confrontation. Now that the roles are reversed, Republicans should avail themselves of the precedent established by their colleagues across the aisle, no matter how distasteful it may seem. Democrats made this bed. Let them lie in it.
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guyben...a_judicial_appointee_faces_crucial_vote_today
Many conservatives strenuously objected to Democrats' obstructionist tactics on this front during the Bush years, arguing that Congress was abusing its "advice and consent" role in the nomination process. Nowhere does the Constitution state that a Senate supermajority is required to confirm a presidential appointment to the third branch. In fact, James Madison once argued that a supermajority should be necessary to block a president's pick. Undeterred, Democrats charged ahead with their ideology-driven obstruction, pushing the Senate to the brink of "nuclear" confrontation. Now that the roles are reversed, Republicans should avail themselves of the precedent established by their colleagues across the aisle, no matter how distasteful it may seem. Democrats made this bed. Let them lie in it.
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guyben...a_judicial_appointee_faces_crucial_vote_today
