Support falters for the 'nuclear option' (Moonie Times)

[kskiska]

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist does not have firm support among his caucus to employ the so-called "nuclear option" for dislodging the Democratic filibusters against President Bush's judicial nominees.

Of the 55 Republicans in the chamber, at least six are undecided or adamantly opposed to the plan of using the rare parliamentary procedure to end the filibusters with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60 votes normally required.

"I am very concerned about the overuse of the filibuster," said Sen. Susan Collins, a Maine Republican who said she remains undecided. "But I am also concerned that a rule change will further charge the partisan atmosphere to the point that we will not be able to conduct business."

(snip)

In addition to Miss Collins, three other Republicans say they are undecided but have serious reservations. They are Sens. John W. Warner of Virginia, John McCain of Arizona and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

more…
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050323-121608-8533r.htm

[NVMojo]

1. hmmm, McCain found his brain ...hope more do the same ....

[BlueIris]

2. Respectfully--hey, now. McCain has a perfectly

fine brain. I think his heart was just a little confused for a while.

[Dulcinea]

3. They realize that this will cut both ways.

The zealots can't see past their own agendas.

[BR_Parkway]

4. Undecided? But these "activist judges" in the Shiavo case will get them

off the fence, this is just BS to prop them up to the more moderates until they can be sold on why the RePukes need to do away with the Filibuster. OxyRush and Insannity will be beating the drums about "clinton appointees" "culture of death democrats" and activist judges for the next two to three weeks, then enough letters will pour in from the Family Research Council, Focus on Someone else's Family and all the rest. They can safely 'decide' that it really is a necessary step.

[annabanana]

5. perhaps this is a shout-out

To the loonies to put MORE pressure on the moderates not to vote with their brains?

[snippy]

6. Exactly. n/t