Reid has given up on the filibuster, but will vote for it regardless

[WilliamPitt]

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/campaignforthecourt/2006/01/reid_not_enough.html

Reid: Not enough votes.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid admitted Friday he and fellow Democrats lack the votes to block President Bush’s nomination of conservative appeals judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Everyone knows there is not enough votes to support a filibuster,” Reid said, referring to the procedural roadblock that some Democrats said should be used to put off a vote on Alito.

The Nevada Democrat said, however, he would vote for such a measure to at least send a message of opposition to the nominee. That vote will come Monday with final confirmation set for Tuesday.

[blm]

1. I hope he's playing possum - cuz we may have Salazar changing his mind.

.

[John Q. Citizen]

2. That's all we can ask for from any Senator. Thanks Harry.

[fooj]

3. Reid is an old boxer. He's a fighter.

Me thinks he's got something a brewin'!!!

Peace.

[rainy]

5. We've said that before. Kerry has something up his sleeve,

just wait. I can only hope you are right.

[fooj]

6. Me, too.

Peace.

[shance]

4. If Feinstein has changed her position, others can certainly change as well

Why would he take such defeatist stance?

Hopefully there has not been some deal made already.

[sandnsea]

7. Kennedy said it's achievable

What's with you today? Somebody kick your dog or something?

[WilliamPitt]

9. Um, no

But I can count.

http://www.democrats.com/alito-48

Exactly 13 Dems support the filibuster, leaving us 28 short.

[sandnsea]

11. So go call somebody

Figure out the real deal on this. Because it sure looks like an inside sabatoge to me. That CNN poll went up in a helluva hurry and I just don't buy that it's ALL the RNC. Some powerful Democrats somewhere are working overtime on this too. WHO ARE THEY.

[KittyWampus]

13. I swear the same thought crossed my mind. I normally don't go there

but I honestly think some Democrats are being .......... fill in the blanks.

[redacted]

14. Has a troll possessed Will Pitt? Is it time to call an exorcist?

And please, people, don't kick dogs.

:-)

[stillcool]

8. I just called through the list of Dem Senators...

and while I didn't get through to all of them (some I left messages) the only one that is voting no for confirmation and is decidedly against the filibuster was Pryor. I am not lying down yet, and would suggest a little patience. If we work at this it could happen. Of course, if we do nothing...

[many a good man]

10. Reid could turn the tables tomorrow

Support for Alito is softening. He should say that Senators are having second thoughts and Republicans are having a hard time finding enough votes for cloture.

Instead of asking ourselves "do WE have enough votes to filibuster" the question should be "do THEY have enough votes to invoke cloture." Its Friday night and the deal still ain't sealed.

[Bumblebee]

12. As I said on a different thread, even if and when he has 41, I hope

he keeps downplaying it to keep away the threat of the GOP pre-empting the vote with the nuclear option... Let the GOP gloat -- a small price to pay in the long run. I am not saying it all looks great already but things are SO fluid, and GOP ridicule is probably SO backfiring, that one can never tell. Keep faith and hope alive!

[lyonn]

15. Your view on the reasoning for not letting the media

and repubs think that the dems have a possible 41 count could be to keep things quiet for the weekend. One can hope. Kerry usually doesn't go too far out of bounds unless he thinks there is an advantage to him. Some of those saying no to a filibuster, like Salazar, do not fit their public opinion of Alito.