McCain's moderate GOP block.

[yebrent]

So from what I read, Frist may still try to go nuclear if the Dems veto any of the nominations they have already vetoed in the past. The only way that he can be successful is if McCain or some of his six comrades bale on the agreement and go back to Frist with their tail between their legs and vote for the nuclear option. Is this likely?

I'm sure that in the meeting of the 14, the Dems brought up this scenario and received assurance from McCain's block that they would not vote for the nuclear options if the Dems vetoed any of the existing nominations except the three that were agreed upon. It would have been to big of an open issue not to have already come to an agreement on the remaining nominations. And why would they allow three to go through, without discussing the remaining seven nominations?

I don't think Frist has a leg to stand on regarding the remaining 7 nominations the Dem's have vetoed in the past. McCain's moderate block will stand firm against going nuclear on those 7.

Here is where it gets really interesting. With Frist looking like the loser in this whole battle and McCain the winner, what are the chances that McCain can actually increase his moderate GOP block? To me, it seems more likely that McCain will gain bodies vs. lose any of his six to the wounded and bloody Frist. Don't politicians like to side with winners?

Thoughts?

[merwin]

1. Well, the (R)Senators are lemmings, so there's a good chance that

McCain could prove himself to be the new 'leader' of the majority and just ignore Frist.

Frist has only as much power as the senate gives him.

[Atman]

5. Had anyone ever heard of Frist before?

Who the f*ck is Bill Frist, and why does he think he can waltz into the Senate, change all the rules, and declare himself the New Dawg. Frist ain't shit...he's another spoiled billionaire used to buying his own way, and the only reason he is in public office is to attempt to strengthen the business position of Humana Health Care.

The old dogs who've been on the front lines, love 'em or hate 'em, also have the bigger bark, the harder bite and more cred in the dog pound.

They pissed of Frist.

Okay, I've smacked the dog metaphors across the nose one two many times...forgive me. I worked an election today. Sixteen hours smiling and being nice and chatting up Senior Volunteers, and I'm a bit punchy.

[merwin]

6. Well, he's been in the senate for like 10 years and IS the majority

leader, for all that's worth.

[Atman]

9. I think he demonstrated quite clearly what it's worth

nt

[merwin]

14. lol. yeah

[zoeb]

2. I think this little McCain party

has an agenda...like maybe some failed bills or amendments they want passed? They could be a force to be reckoned with!

[Massacure]

8. Yes. McCain and his followers are remaints of a dying cause.

Republicans used to be liberal socially and conservative financially. That has flipped over the last 50 years.

[zbdent]

3. Gee, after trying to arrest a fellow congressman for just remaining on the

floor (and the others for using the library), after swinging the gavel as the "president pro tem" was speaking the words "Any objections?" thereby bringing the motion to a close before there was any time to voice an objection,

Why wouldn't the Repukes claim that the Dems broke the agreement, even if they didn't?

[necso]

4. It's really too early to

speak with any sort of confidence on the subject.

This gang of 14 could go on to be a real powerhouse -- or not.

And while there are some (somewhat expected) names that are (rather noticeably) absent from this "bloc", time alone will tell us which way they will (all) go. Moreover, if this group is going to keep its bloc power, it has to be willing to use this power -- which means at some point less is more (less that have to agree -- or at least go along).

And the bloc has to protect its own -- which need can be read various ways.

Oh, and the gang of 14 is a more powerful bloc than the gang of 7 (republicans). But much the same holds true (as above) for the latter. And in the practise of politics, this group could morph (to most appearances, anyway) into different forms, acting (in some different "set") as a group of republicans at one time and in a larger bloc with Dems at others... and acting in all sorts of other, more individualistic ways to boot.

[KingOfLostSouls]

7. Graham Said he would

he looked VERY pleased yesterday on Olbermann. Olbermann looked like someone killed his favorite gold fish. and I think he's definately on our side, where as Graham looked like he'd just ATE Olbermann's goldfish with that cheshire cat smile.

this deal was DEFINATELY in the GOP favor. they'll pull the nuclear option out the second the dem's do anything, and "Uncle Joe" lieberman will be on hannity saying, "you're absolutely right, sean, we tried but the extremists in my party failed america."

[Hippo_Tron]

10. Both have just lost the 2008 nomination

Frist is now a weakling and the religious WRONG is pissed that he couldn't get the nuclear option passed. McCain is toast because even though he might be the frontrunner for awhile, it will all be destroyed when the religious wrong floods the airwaves with attack ads the week before the Iowa Caucuses.

Dems need to unseat George Allen and Rick Santorum in 2006. Then the only big name left will be Chuck Hagel and the religious wrong doesn't like him either.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

11. I totally agree that both are out

in '08. Frickin' frist is toast w/the fundies & the fundies really don't like mccain.

The thing that drives me nuts is during a presidential election, voters run around whining that the only 2 options seem to be the extreme left or the extreme right. Well, duh. For the most part only the extreme left & right vote during the primaries & of course they're going to vote for 'their' guy.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. I might actually vote for McCain if the Democrat sucks

I hate the thought of McCain because he would actually be able to beat a Democrat when the country has Bush fatigue in 2008. If it were McCain vs Bayh I would very much consider voting for McCain (not saying that it's a definate, but I would actually think about it).

However, if the Dem nominee were somebody like Russ Feingold or Wes Clark then I'm not sure if I'd rather McCain be the nominee or not. On one hand a Clark vs McCain or a Feingold vs McCain race or even a Kerry vs McCain race would be a great break from the dirty politics as usual races. It would truly be a great debate for America. On the other hand, Clark or Feingold would have a much easier time beating a bible thumping bushbot than McCain, but it would be a typical dirty election.

If McCain were to get my vote, however, he'd definately have to prove to me that he is not a supporter of the BFEE and their agenda, and those photo ops with * this time around certainly didn't help convince me of that. And as I said above, this whole discussion may be pointless. McCain will probably not get the nod because he will have to overcome swarms of soft money attack ads.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

13. I have zero respect for mccain.

After what dumbya did to him in the primaries in '00, & mccain just leaned over & took it & then actually campaigned for dumbya in '04. That did it for me. Any one who accepts that kind of treatment & then basically says "please, may I have another" doesn't respect him/herself & gives me no reason to respect them either.

But like you said, this is probably moot. mccain will not get the nomination. He was close in '00, but the fundies hate the water he passes. They'll actively campaign hard against him in '08.

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