Reid offers olive branch on Bush nominee

[Newsjock]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/breaking_news/11600528.htm

JESSE J. HOLLAND
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Monday offered the Democrats' support for one of President Bush's judicial nominees, former Senate lawyer Thomas Griffith, as a goodwill gesture in the confrontation over banning judicial filibusters.

"Let's take a step away from the precipice," Reid said. "Let's try cooperation, rather than confrontation, which seems to be the hallmark of what we've been doing here lately."

... Griffith was the Senate's general counsel during President Clinton's impeachment and became Brigham Young University's general counsel in 2003.

Democrats are hoping Reid's offer will help convince a number of undecided Republicans that they can be reasonable and that the GOP should not support Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's call to ban judicial filibusters.

more

[Beetwasher]

1. Reid's Playing Them But GOOD!

n/t

[Democat]

19. Or are they playing Reid, but good?

We'll find out in time.

[democracyindanger]

21. Yep, time will tell

And the smart money's on Reid.

[Beetwasher]

31. Yes, Because We All Know What A Brilliant Tactician Frist Is

:sarcasm:

[Democat]

33. Republican strategy has all but destroyed our party's power

If you don't think a strategy that allowed right wing crooks to take control of the entire U.S. government is working, think again!

Frist's party has a lot better recent history of "strategy" than ours does.

[Beetwasher]

36. Context

I'm discussing this issue and Frist blew it bigtime. He's a fucking moron.

[davidinalameda]

2. can someone post another link to this story

[underpants]

8. AP via Yahoo News Link

http://story.news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050509/ap_on_go_co/filibuster_fight

[Daphne08]

10. Try this one.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/05/09/national/w122612D38.DTL

:)

[UCLA Dem]

3. Yes! Make them look like the crazies they are!!!

[okieinpain]

4. good idea, make them look extreme.

[Zodiak]

5. Devil's advocate, let's think about this - post.

I am not disputing that Reid has proven himself to be a much better tactician than Daschle ever was, and that is a good thing.

However, I still cannot stomach giving in any ground to these neocons because they are not playing the game for compromise...they are playing to win, for ALL time. Face it....after over 200 of Bush's appointees (which Bush has said HAVE to "belive in God" to get the nomination) have been approved, it should already look like the Democrats have taken the rational approach by blocking these radical ten. But this issue is not being framed like this in front of the people, is it?

If Reid gives in one one appointee, then Frist will demand the rest. This has already been shown when Reid offered to reconsider three of the appointees and Frist just laughed in his face (figuratively). The REAL problem with this development is the cadre of media that the Republicans have behind them to frame any issue any way they choose. If Reid truly does give ground, then all that is going to happen is that one more freakazoid right-winger will be appointed for life.

Will more people see the righties for the frange group they are when this happens? Sure, if we haven't reached a critical mass of that already, but what I worry about is the fact that the right is acting consistently against public opinion. This is only a viable political strategy when the voices of the people (a.k.a. the vote) have been successfully silenced.

The fact that the vote has been stolen affects the paradigm on ANY issue. A lot of times we on the left still drop into the wishful thiking that the levers we pull are connected to something and that standard political strategy still works.

I wish I were wrong, but 95% of American issues in the last four years have been resolved more like a dictatorship than a democratic republic.

[Teaser]

7. That's the point.

Have frist demand them all. It's exactly the point.

[cornermouse]

12. I agree.

There are too many people in this country who mistakenly think intransigence and stubbornness, even when wrong, is the sign of a strength, power, and the mark of a "winner".

[Zodiak]

17. I only play an optimist on TV

Yeah...that is the unfortuante point. So more people will see the Republicans as "extreme"....yay! Then what?

The ones who love extreme are pretty much the only ones left in the Bush camp when it comes to public opinion. As far as "moderate" Republicnas are concerned, they are now too feww and too easily cowed to jump ship.

We HAVE to stop thinking that the media will report things as they are.

We HAVE to stop thinking that a little activism and "getting out the vote" will still win elections.

Besides, the Shiavo case coupled with "Justice Sunday" has already shown the freaks to be freaks. That shark has been jumped, but did the neocons slow down their agenda? Heck no...they only ramped it up.

Optimism is good when the chips are down, but it should not be used in abundance when discussing strategy. It tends to make one underestimate one's enemy.

[sasquatch]

6. Great idea, lets give the drunk the booze he wants

:sarcasm:
You see that way he won't break stuff, attack people and drive home drunk.
:eyes:

[underpants]

9. Griffith-Lax compliance with bar membership and fought Title IX

http://www.independentjudiciary.com/resources/docs/griffith1pg305.pdf

From November 1998 – November 2001, while practicing law as Senate Legal Counsel, as a partner at
Wiley, Rein and Fielding and as Brigham Young University’s General Counsel, Mr. Griffith was not a
licensed member of any bar. He allowed his D.C. Bar membership to lapse for three years for failure to pay
required dues. The D.C. Bar also temporarily suspended Mr. Griffith’s license for dues nonpayment in 1997.

* Despite the two suspensions, in an application to take the Utah Bar exam in November 2003, Mr. Griffith
answered “no” to a question asking whether he had ever been suspended. In another response, he stated that
he had always practiced law at BYU as a D.C. Bar member, despite the fact that his D.C. license remained
suspended for over a year after he went to BYU. Nowhere on his application did Mr. Griffith acknowledge
his suspensions.
* Although practicing law at BYU for the past four-plus years, Mr. Griffith has not become a member of the
Utah Bar. Utah law prohibits non-Utah-licensed lawyers from practicing law in Utah, and Utah’s Bar rules
do not otherwise permit in-house lawyers to practice law without obtaining a Utah license. Nevertheless,
after going to BYU, Mr. Griffith never sought advice from the Utah Bar about whether he could practice
without being Utah-licensed. He simply relied on his own understanding that he could. In May 2003, the
Utah Bar’s General Counsel told him he was wrong. She advised him in writing to take the bar and become
licensed as soon as possible. She also cautioned him about engaging in the practice of law in the meantime.
Mr. Griffith still has not become a Utah Bar member. Feinstein; Letter from Katherine Fox, General Counsel, Utah State Bar, May 14, 2003]

[jaysunb]

22. Thanks Underpants

Reid is a born "Riverboat Gambler.
I can't belive how lucky we are to have this man playing our hand....cool, smoothly, and deftly.

The facts you've laid out here shows that he (Griffith) will look like an absolute fool before the committee and worse when these things are revealed in the floor debate, for the whole world to see.(well, on C-span anyway)

Go Harry ! Keep the light shining on these cockroaches. :toast:

[Career Prole]

11. "Reid offers olive branch"...what an interesting misinterpretation of

"Go cut me a switch!" :evilgrin:

[PATRICK]

13. Understand but in the long run

this sounds like Chamberlain music. Very reasonable and defensible at the time compared to activists call for confrontation, but potentially crippling.

Peace in our time. Well, what exactly do the GOP moderates as such want to convince them Frankenstein is a monster? A deal? Should we be raising bribe money? Making up wild fantasies for them to believe in? A slide show? If it is about deals among the relatively sane so they can cooperate against disasters for the country they should all be put on notice of imminent retirement.

The coalition of the middle Bayh envisioned, lusted for while Gore intrusively tried to win back a stolen election never ever materialized. The moderates were the first to bow to the "genius" of Bush and wave the white flags before the uncompromising executive and all the broken deals. We ARE reduced to falling back on that crowd again! But this time, this time and on this line they will make their stand- waving olive branches and offering apologies and moonwalking out the door.

But yes, let it work, I don't care. ANYTHING.

[BillZBubb]

16. Darn you beat me to it by a minute!

Strategically, Reid is building a Maginot line. Either the Dems are not telling the truth about these nominess, or if they are telling the truth, they don't have what it takes to fight to keep them off the bench.

This is the worst possible path.

[BillZBubb]

14. Tactically smart, strategically a loser

Sure, Reid is setting up the Pugs to look like power mad fanatics. Sure, the Pug's response will prove Reid's point. Polls will show dissatisfaction with the Pug's.

But, when the elections roll around, the sheeple won't give a sh_t about this. They'll still vote for the Pugs over wedge issues like abortion, immigration, or "values". They will be impressed by the Pug's willingness to go all out for what they believe in. They'll contrast that with the Dems apparent lack of commitment to fight.

And we will have let them get more fanatics on the court without a fight. If we REALLY believe the nominees are unfit to be judges we should FIGHT to the END, no compromise. Do we REALLY believe that about these nominees?

[Dr Fate]

35. I agree. We should smash their political capital.

Swing voters don't care about these cat & mouse games.

They care about sex & violence.

[demgrrrll]

15. Reid makes me smile. Every time I read something he doe I just want

to laugh my ass off. He really locks em up. I love the the absolute Steve McQueen essence of cool, unruffled, know what you are going to do and do it.

[Democat]

18. Weakness won't win the hearts and minds of the American people

This ass kiss will get Reid nothing more than an extra kick in the teeth from the Republicans.

When you are nice to a bully, you will get punched twice as hard. When you fight back, you have a chance of beating him.

Reid talks a big game, but let's see what he delivers. If all of the crooked judges get through, who cares what Reid said?

[Zodiak]

20. Thanks

Thanks for that. I agree...the Democrars have been a real disappontment because they have fought Bush ONLY when the power of the party is at stake. We happen to agree with them because the judges up for nomination here can really hurt the American people, but I have a feeeling that, in Washington, it has more to do with the balance of power and less to do with issues.

I want to see a REAL fight on ISSUES. So far Reid has been unsuccessful because essentially he has shored up Democratic opposition only on balance of power issues, not the day to day bread and butter issues. He also plays by Queensbury rules that are completely irrelevant in a democracy that has been knocked off of its tethers. Denial will only prolong this pathological condition.

How soon we forget the number of Democrats who vote for things like confirmation of Negroponte and Rice or the bankruptcy bill, patriot act, Iraq war, etc. etc. etc. The Pigs will use whatever means necessary to kill our country, and we are still fighting with a simple foil shouting "tally ho!" every time we score a useless hit on the rampaging neo-con juggernaut.

If we do not start fighting with spit and venom, we will be railroaded again....for the FOURTH time (2000, 2002, 2004).

[Democat]

23. Here is one thing that concerns me about giving in on this judge

Yesterday this guy was so extreme that no Democrat with principles could ever support him. We just could not allow America to be hijacked by this extremist corrupt judge. Democrats had been given no choice by Bush, they had to stand up for what they believed in.

Today we flipflop and say, "ok, maybe he's not so bad, but the other ones, they're just as bad as we've been saying."

What are the American people supposed to believe? Democrats are standing up for what we believe in or we're a bunch of two faced opportunists who don't really stand for anything?

What is an issue on which the Democrats are willing to go down fighting, rather than give an inch? Does such an issue exist? It isn't abortion. It isn't equal right for gays. It isn't the environment or health care of bankruptcy rights.

When will our leaders take a strong stand on something?

[Toucano]

24. I'm sorry to say I agree.

Reid already offered compromise once. Frist refused.

When you are in the minority and you keep offering compromises, it verges on grovelling.

[Rowdyboy]

25. Once again, Harry Reid makes them look like fools, and makes

Democrats look responsible. This is THE MAN!

[AwareOne]

26. I hope that olive branch has a very pointy end

and it accidentally pokes Bush in the eye when it's extended.

[MasonJar]

27. Reid has lost my support for all time now that I know he was a

major supporter of the bill to slaughter innocent horses and burros so that the already rich ranchers can get richer grazing for pennies on public land. Whatever he does from now on does not absolve him from this heartless action! He and Frist (the catkiller) are a good twosome.

[AndyTiedye]

28. I Guess Reid May Be A Good Man To Negotiate...

...the terms of our surrender :cry:

[leesa]

29. What is the point of this? The GOP NEVER compromises.

[joldnir]

30. It is foolish to give in anything to the repukes!

They will take nothing else than an up or down vote on judges. Why? The prize is not these judicial appointments, but nothing less than the supreme court.

There will be one or two nominees to the supreme court before shrub leaves office. With just an up or down vote, I shudder to think how bad the legal system is going to jerk to the right. Just think if 2 of the judges that are being blocked now get to sit on the highest court.

[Rex]

32. Poor Dems they go through stages

Anger -> denial -> acceptance -> loneliness -> neediness -> cooperation -> rejection -> anger.

Lesser evolved are repukes who go through only one stage:

Hate -> hate -> hate.

[AuntiBush]

34. Finding a "reasonable" Republican right now is like

trying to find a needle in a haysack.

Gut feeling: Rethugs are not going to budge and Dems give-in.

Here's hoping I'm wrong and it will be: Rethugs don't budge, Dem's loose Fillabuster rights and walk the hell out.

[ausiedownunderground]

37. Reid isn't getting "cocky" is he?

Offering the Rethuglicans a nominee from the state they won the most vote in? I think Utah was called in 10 minutes after your election closed! It is "The Bush Gang's" greatest supporter! Brigham Young founded the Mormons didn't he? This guy could be "crucified" in Congress if the Democrats wanted to. Give "The Bush Gang" nothing Reid!!!! This is a tactical error, big time! Even the "Filibuster" is not worth this. "The Bush Gang" are self-destructing anyway. Democrats should be fighting to change your election rules, which are the most undemocratic in the Western world!!! Even Britain is better!

[sabra]

38. Senate Democrats' Soft-Spoken New Leader Reveals Sharp Tongue

<<SNIP>>
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBYUBS6K8E.html

Senate Democrats' Soft-Spoken New Leader Reveals Sharp Tongue

By Laurie Kellman Associated Press Writer
Published: May 10, 2005


WASHINGTON (AP) - In an institution that prides itself as a last bastion of civility, the Senate's new Democratic leader has on occasion turned to playground taunts and name-calling in his four-month tenure.

After accusing President Bush of lying about his role in a fight over judicial filibusters, Sen. Harry Reid last week called the president a "loser." And Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan? He's a "political hack," according to the formerly soft-spoken Nevada Democrat.

Reid returned to the Senate floor Monday with a more conciliatory tone and what he called "a gesture of goodwill," calling for the first time for the confirmation of one of Bush's appeals court nominees that Democrats blocked in the last Congress.

"Let's try cooperation, rather than confrontation," Reid said on the Senate floor. "I would hope that we can let bygones be bygones."

<</SNIP>>

[IndianaGreen]

39. At least Reid has shown that he is a real leader

unlike the wimp he replaced. What was his name, Daschle something...

[booksenkatz]

40. It's no worse than Cheney's go F yourself, is it?

Since when are "loser" and "political hack" shocking words for a politician to use? And hell, he backed down and apologized after saying those mean old words anyway. I don't recall Cheney ever apologizing for his words. Being a Repub means never having to say you're sorry.