Saturday, January 28, 2006

Bush Presses Alito's High Court Nomination - Yahoo! News
But...but...but... I thought it was a done deal. Smooth sailing. Victory lap. Easy confirmation. Nothing to see here, move along.

Why, oh why, would George have to press the issue?

Because it ain't over till it's over. Remember the Red Sox of '04.

WASHINGTON - President Bush gave Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito a broadcast boost Saturday, calling for a simple up-or-down Senate confirmation vote despite a blocking effort by some Democrats.

A final vote on whether to make the conservative federal appellate judge the nation's 110th Supreme Court justice is scheduled for Tuesday unless opponents win an uphill battle to impose a filibuster.

"The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to hold an up-or-down vote on Judge Alito's nomination," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Throughout its 216-year history, the Senate has held an up-or-down vote on every Supreme Court nominee with majority Senate support."

I got yer up-or-down right here, King George. Harriet Miers. Next?

The president spoke as liberals led by Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, D-Mass., worked to deprive supporters of the 60 votes needed to limit debate. They faced resistance from some fellow Democrats as well as solid Republican opposition to the stalling tactic.

And that's how we win. In the past 24 hours or so, Clinton, Feinstein, Durbin, Reid, Wyden, to name a few, have switched their positions and decided to vote against cloture.

This might work. We don't know if we don't try. At least if we hold 'em through Tuesday, it makes Frist look like an ass, which is always fun.

Call your Senators. Do it today. 1-888-355-3588 or 1-888-818-6641 toll free switchboard.

Here's a link to a site that will fax a letter to key Senators. Go do it. Easy activism.

Stabenow is on board (yea Debbie!) and I bet Carl Levin will be, too. If you're reading me from a Red State and you agree that balance of power is something worth saving- make the call, please.