NYT: Republican Moderates in Senate Sense Intensifying Pressures

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/13/politics/13assess.html?ei=5094&en=550ce22ec279af13&hp=&ex=1116043200&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

The unusual pact that permitted the nomination of John R. Bolton to go forward on Thursday without the support of a crucial Republican senator has exposed, in a very raw and public way, the extreme pressures facing Republican moderates in a Senate that is increasingly dominated by conservatives.

President Bush called the dissenting Republican, Senator George V. Voinovich of Ohio, on Wednesday, the day before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on which Mr. Voinovich serves, was to take up the nomination, the White House spokesman, Scott McClellan, said.

Karl Rove, the president's powerful political adviser, and Andrew H. Card Jr., the chief of staff, also called to chat with Mr. Voinovich in recent weeks, Mr. McClellan said.

And Mr. Voinovich, who has steadfastly refused to answer questions about any discussions with the White House, is hardly the only Republican who is feeling the squeeze these days.

[swag]

1. Critical story

Thanks for posting

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Ya get the feeling Voinovich is gonna get Wellstoned?

[lovuian]

3. Come in my office and lets make a deal!!!

Bush really wants Bolton in thats for sure!!!

[MarianJack]

5. Not a Complete kkkarl Sentence, lovuian!

You should add "...that we won't live up to but you'll still kiss our asses because we have a mandate."

Thats the rove strategy!

[AuntiBush]

6. Yeah. He needs another Henchman to LIE for another War

Guess these bastards haven't killed enough of our troops & innocent civilians; nor terrorized enough of the worlds citizens, including us.

I'm waiting anytime now for the Constitution & Bill of Rights to be put right thru the shredder and the red, white and blue to be changed.

Suppose the new salute will be the Chimp's 1 finger-upwards.

Sickening, isn't it.

[reformedrepub]

4. What a Joke

Zell Miller is a "visionary" and a "Man of courage" but Jim Jeffords and George Voinivich are "spineless cowards". Thats why I left that party!!

[Pithy Cherub]

7. Bush couldn't even persuade one of his own party members!

The strategy is to just say this is a one time only deal unless others start to peel off. Bolton, SS is squeezing the last of *'s political capital - now known in DC as loose change rather than long green. It's the nuclear option they are really desperate about. I think the WH knows of upcoming Justice retirement(s) and want this in the bag before June - the last day of the traditional SCOTUS schedule.

Cheney is a Powell hater and Powell is a Bolton hater and Bolton hates anyone who doesn't absolutely agree with him. The perfect republican circle jerk. Some moderates might want to get off the merry-go-round, they are nauseous right now.

[aquart]

8. Honey, I hope they puke on their expensive shoes.

Shoes which were manufactured overseas.

[babylonsister]

9. I hope you are insightful, because I'm not that full of hope.

I agree, it's a big fucking deal, and if Bolton gets recommended, I fear even more for our country.

[Zorra]

10. There are no republican moderates, and this Voinovich thing is just

a ploy to make it look like there is. It's all smoke and no substance.

If they were moderates they would vote like moderates, and the only time they ever do is when their vote means nothing. Otherwise, they always vote extreme right.

[Ernesto]

11. Republican Moderates in Senate Sense Intensifying Pressures

WASHINGTON, May 12 - The unusual pact that permitted the nomination of John R. Bolton to go forward on Thursday without the support of a crucial Republican senator has exposed, in a very raw and public way, the extreme pressures facing Republican moderates in a Senate that is increasingly dominated by conservatives.
"Bolton is a perfect example of putting the moderates in an impossible situation," said Senator Lincoln Chafee, the Rhode Island Republican who also sits on the Foreign Relations Committee and who agonized publicly over Mr. Bolton for weeks. "It's a no-win. Either we don't support the president or we vote for a very unpopular pick to represent us at the United Nations."
I'm bawlin' my eyes out as I speak........


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/13/politics/13assess.html?hp&ex=1116043200&en=550ce22ec279af13&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[librechik]

12. very unpopular prick

just about says it all!

[LibDemAlways]

13. Someone should tell Chafee that it isn't

his job to "support the President." He should go talk to Byrd about separation of powers and advise and consent.

[EC]

14. These moderates may as well vote their conscience and

screw Bush, because the DNC has everyone of them targeted for 2006 and if Bush gets his way, his disasters will be seen and noticed before 2006 and they'll be gone anyway...

[Erika]

15. True

Bush has been the most disastrous president, but he's been a darn good globalist king. He's reduced our country to peons to work for his buddies.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

16. Rebublican Moderates?

No such thing!

[MaineDem]

17. Absolutely correct!

Granted they may be pro-choice and I see that has a good thing but when push comes to shove they voted for Frist and that sets the tone for the entire session.

Collins was a peer sponsor for Ashcroft. Tell me that's moderate.