Feinstein rolls over...as usual. Warns against filibuster.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

http://www.columbian.com/news/APStories/AP01152006news108913.cfm

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Democrat who plans to vote against Samuel Alito sided on Sunday with a Republican colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee in cautioning against a filibuster of the Supreme Court nominee.

"I do not see a likelihood of a filibuster," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "This might be a man I disagree with, but it doesn't mean he shouldn't be on the court."

But Feinstein, who said she was concerned about Alito's conservative record on abortion rights and deference to executive power, acknowledged the 15-year appellate judge had the legal credentials to serve on the Supreme Court.

"I was impressed with his ability to maintain a very even demeanor," she said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

It must be tough being a moderate Republ...er, Democrat.

[FlowerKrout]

1. If she won't

then a filibuster is a lost cause. $hit.

[mdmc]

6. welcome to DU!

peace! Don't worry about Alito... A right wing supreme court will actually help progressives (or destroy America)... Either way, its all good...

peace!

[newyawker99]

47. Hi FlowerKrout!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[stevietheman]

2. What Feinstein fails to realize is...

that if the Democrats do not filibuster Alito, they may lose a lot of the progressive vote in November. Including mine.

What's the point of voting for Democrats if they won't fight for the people's interest?

[Coexist]

4. that whole lesser of two evils thing. n/t

[stevietheman]

15. If Alito isn't filibustered, then the Dems will be no better than Repubs..

in my mind. There will be no difference. So, there's no point in voting.

[mdmc]

8. The Dems know that progressives have no where else to go

they know it!

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. Yes we do

that is what they fail to see

What is worst, the only thing that changed the dynamic in the 1870s all the way to the 1890s were third parties that actually made strides... time to take a page from history... and the DNC is now increasingly folding, we should all run our Progressives, whether inside the Dem or as a third party... just like the guilded age, we are ready for that. We were not in 2000... we are more than ready for that now an that is what it will take.

[mdmc]

29. We have somewhere to go? Where?

Trumps progressive third party?

We need to build a place to go.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. If you build it they will come

read Chomsky

Oh and by the way, the parties in the 1870s, one was formed by four farmers in a small town in texas over the course of a lazy summer afternoon. Their platform was adopted by the DNC many years later, you have heard of the New Deal, haven't you? It will happen, it may be happening under your nose... already.

Reality is it is happening. Look around at this place and how many are saying we shan't vote for the DLC... that is your first clue that IT IS HAPPENING.

[mdmc]

39. I read that Chomsky alter.net interview

He is fucking awesome!

I'm a hardcore Dem, but I listen to the greens. I listen, and learn.

PE@CE!

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Exactly

and I can feel that happening right now

We have had it... and that is why it will happen. By the way have worked in campaigns, have given money, have worn shoe leather... and when the base goes, we've had it, you know there is a problem.... why I say, it is happening. There is something in the air, that is almost electric and he just pointed out to it

[mdmc]

45. you think that the solution is outside of the party

I used to think that you were wrong.

[mojavegreen]

20. Neo-liberals

Such as Feinstein and Kerry are not really populist democrats in the manner of, say, Clinton or Jimmy Carter. They are wealthy attorneys and businesspeople who may have a few anti-conservative ideas but who value tradition and formality: they prefer the judicial branch of govt. to the executive and legislative branches I believe. Sort of liberal Tories, and their Federalism is not so far in ideology from that of like Alexander Hamilton.

[FreedomAngel82]

23. Not really

Kerry is way more progressive than Feinstein.

[mojavegreen]

28. well......

Kerry got the blessing of Miss Feinstein, he voted for the war resolution, and he did not object to BushCo's tax slashes back in 2002. There are other indications of his moderate rather than progressive side. I voted for him, reluctantly; but I think Dean is closer to real democrat roots.

[fujiyama]

42. I'm sorrry but with exception of the IWR

you're quite mistaken.

Kerry did vote against all of Bush's tax cuts. Check out his vote record vs Lieberman's or Feinstein's. It's very different. And while I have no problem with Dean, before his election, his record was arguably much more centrist than Kerry's.

[mojavegreen]

46. Kerry

He's bit to the left of Feinstein in terms of voting (his votes over only the last 5 years or so are online), but I do not think he is that progressive. And very well connected to corporations. He's a pragmatist. I was impressed with his performance in the debates in 10-04 (Bush should have been 5150'ed as they say in Cali, right then) but also objected to his playing to the conservatives with the military record and all. Many of the Kerry staff (on his site, and in LA) were sort of rude and a bit J-Edgar-like (he supported the Patriot Act as well). He is close to Schwarzenegger as well, according to reports--sort of like hangin' around Reagan.

That Miss Feinstein supported the BushCo-Bill Thomas slashes of the estate and capital gains taxes in 2002 should have been sufficient grounds to question her dedication to democratic/progressive goals.

[fujiyama]

51. I'm not completely sure

how Kerry is connected to corporations. He's not extremely far to the left on economic issues, but he seems fiscally responsible. He has supported balanced budgets, etc. He's certainly not nearly as "well connected" as Hillary, Biden, Schumer, Lieberman, etc. He voted against the bankruptcy bill and the tax cuts.

Ever since Feinstein voted for Bush's tax cuts, I haven't trusted her. There were several Dems from conservative states that voted against them. That was also Bush's first legislative victory.

BTW, welcome to DU.

[radio4progressives]

41. uhhh, not really "more progressive" than DiFi at all.

i'm sorry, but you're just plain wrong about that..

[fujiyama]

43. No

Compare their vote records.

I'm sorry, but Kerry is much more liberal than Feinstein. Kerry's vote record is much closer to Kennedy's than Feinstein's.

[MrBenchley]

33. That would be the progressive vote

that's done nothing but stab Democrats in the back time and again since I can remember. And of course, their own candidates and parties never amount to shit, and are toxic to voters.

[mdmc]

3. So who would filibuster

Obama? Is he our only hope? Maybe Kennedy? Maybe Kerry? Too bad Bernie Sanders isn't in the Senate, then a true progressive (ok... Ted Kennedy is also the MAN!) could represent us in the Senate.

[aquart]

5. This woman is in need of a primary challenge.

I suggest calling her local, state and national Democratic offices to ask the name of the challenger as you want to send a check.

Let her know what the backlash will be.

[bpilgrim]

7. impressed by his demeanor DISGUSTED by his RECORD

nice opposition

peace

[mdmc]

13. nice web page link

peace!

[bpilgrim]

14. thank you

:hi:

peace

[springhill]

38. That's what just kills me too.........

I like his demeanor, and, oh by the way, he's a really nice man. Who only wants to shred the Constitution!!!! What in the hell is wrong with these people. What kind of views does in take to keep someone off the Supreme Court. He has basically said that the President has the right to break Federal law if he feels like it. And that's okay? Where is just plain common sense and rational thinking? It's really incomprehensible to me.

[tedzbear]

9. Republican Lite Bitch!

I will soooooooo enjoy voting for the Green Party candidate when she's up for re election.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Agreed

[PWRinNY]

10. I'd really love to know

What is the problem that our elected DEMOCRATIC representatives have with the left?? Do they forget who we are who campaign for them, raise money for them, vote for them?

Why do they keep bending to the right? Why are they so afraid? Why do they let themselves be bullied by the chickenshits?

What am I missing???

[Child_Of_Isis]

19. What am I missing???

They take their base for granted?? :cry:

[mojavegreen]

11. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Queen Feinstein's again showing her true colors: a "conservative who swings." Her objection to Alito based on the fact that he seems willing to defer to executive power is interesting as well: there are some democrats who might think that sort of deference is a good thing. The power of the executive branch is democracy, really: the judiciary is far more Tory-like.

[Rainscents]

12. Is there anyone who is going to challenge this bitch in primary?

She have to go!!! DLC is what is wrong with DEMS!!!! I hate fucking DLC!!!

[Kansas Wyatt]

16. 'Give the Corporatists what they want, and then we can have...

The pendulum swing back our way. If we don't give the Corporate Pigs what they want, they will make sure that I lose my position in the Government and won't sit on any Boards.'

That is the message that comes through.

[mdmc]

18. way to read between the lines!

peace!

[B Calm]

17. I'm telling you, IT'S TIME TO SEND THE DINO'S A MESSAGE

vote against them in NOVEMBER!

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Well I will be glad to make good on my threat to her office

I ain't voting for her this year.

[B Calm]

53. If my senator (Bayh) votes for him, it will cost him a vote in November!

I'm sick of this shit!

[FreedomAngel82]

22. *sigh*

Welcome to facism.

[fooj]

24. Take a good look at this, Dianne...

This is what honor and integrity look like!

Peace.

[Neecy]

27. exactly what I expected

I guess when your husband is a war profiteer who has made a fortune from Bush's wars you aren't going to go out of your way to offend your meal ticket.

[DanCa]

31. email email email wha'ts this Dino's email?

If you have it please post it because I want to get this jamoke out of the party today.

[pstokely]

32. here

http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html

[DanCa]

34. Thank you emailling now nt

[OffWithTheirHeads]

35. It won't do any good.

We, her loyal subjects, contacted her Vichyness by the tens of thousands to ask her to vote no on the war. Did she listen? Hell no, her husband is making too much of a killing as a war profiteer. We need to toss her ass out along with Lie berman and Miller.

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Yep and I was explicit

I told her she lost my vote.....

I also sent that message to the DNC.....

I am starting to believe that many californians have reached that conclusion. I DO HOPE they run somebody in the primaries... if they don't... well third party in her case... again way too many californians have reached that conclusion...

[crikkett]

36. I sent a letter to her as well.

Hope she listens to her constituents.

[radio4progressives]

40. surprise surprise surprise.. and this article says Lindsey Graham is a

Centrist.

Feinstein is going down in the next election.. she just has to.

[AlGuest]

48. she's making a political calculation

She's worried that a filibuster will hurt the party's chances
with the so-called "swing voters" in this year's election.
She's thinking for the long term since the chances of stopping
Alito's appointment to the SC are small. It will take small
steps to get back to the majority.

[cry baby]

49. She is stepping in the wrong direction.

A filibuster against someone who doesn't think like mainstream America shouldn't hurt our chances in the 06 election. In a normal world, it would look like courage, but this is an upside-down world, so the media will play the dems like obstructionists...that's their job. She should still represent the people that send her to capital hill.

[AlGuest]

50. she's reading the polls

It's good to stand for principles but in the end it will not
mean much without winning back the majority. A filibuster
will just lead to a change in Senate rules and with some
very close House seats on the line I think that taking
the safe route is the better way to go. From what I've
read in the polls most of the "swing voters" want to
see a vote in the Senate. The Dems did not make a
good argument in the Senate against Alito and now most
people think he deserves a vote.

[cry baby]

52. Safe has gotten us where we are today!

Polls lie and can be manipulated by the way the questions are asked. Any pol knows that.

DLC can do what they want - but they are losing the left, and they can't win without it.

If the repubs brought the nukular action in the senate to end filibusters, that would be very bad for them - they would seem like political bullies (which they are).

Don't believe every poll you read.

BTW, welcome to DU!