Sorry to keep banging on about American affairs but this is simply too, too, delicious. Let me begin by acknowledging the efforts of Mr. Thomas Lifson at The American Thinker to explain the finer points - and I apologise if I misunderstand some of the arcane details.
The Democrat party in the Senate finds itself between a red-hot rock and a scorching hard place - oh dear what a pity never mind! It has to decide what to do in the Senate about the nomination of Justice Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He, of course, being a Trump appointee is anathema to all Democrats but in that august body they are in a minority so the only weapon to hand is the filibuster which is the device used by the hated Republicans when in the last couple of years they refused to endorse Obama's pick for the Supreme Court.
Today, the Dems could use the same tactics but they face two deliciously delicate problems. First, the Republicans control both Houses and the White House and they could simply outlaw the process of filibuster in respect of Presidential picks for the Supreme Court - 'the dirty rats'! This would mean that if one or two further vacancies occur in the next four years the Dems would have no means of opposition and that would seal a Right-wing court for decades.
Their other problem is that if they try to oppose the end of the filibuster that might not play too well for several Dem senators facing re-election in two years time in districts that voted for Trump at the election. On the other hand, if they fail to oppose an ending of the filibuster then millions of snowflake Dems will be outraged, I tell you, outraged and, heavens to Betsy, they might even organise mass marches against what they would think of as 'traitor Dem Senators.
I may not have explained this too well - I'm pressed for time - well, that's my excuse - so do read Mr. Lifson's piece.
Gorsuch is smart, articulate, and supremely qualified. No argument there. And it's not worth the time to counter Lifson's silly trash talk and assumed motives concerning Democrats or the left. There is a bone to be picked, however, over Democrats alone being in a complicated situation.
Mitch McConnell, Republican majority leader of the US Senate, is a thorough institutionalist. He believes in the Senate's function as described by George Washington in our mythology: "We pour our legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it." There's no guarantee he'll set off the so-called "nuclear option" and change the Senate rules to allow confirmation by simple majority vote. Possibly it's why Trump named a second choice, Thomas Hardiman, that might face less resistance should Senate Democrats fight, which many claim they will.
Eliminating the filibuster would make the Senate more like the House. That would make the government overall more small 'd' democratic in nature; not an outcome desired by Republicans.
Posted by: Bob | Wednesday, 01 February 2017 at 18:17
David, For Your Eyes Only
We are here on the ground in Miami, not to escape the cold weather in Europe - No! to get Intel on the Trump phenomenon. We started by having dinner in the Trump golf resort in Doral. After getting the bill for four I now understand how he managed to finance his own campaign!
Tomorrow we set out for Orlando where we will be soliciting opinions in a Mexican restaurant close to Disney World.
I will keep you posted.
Posted by: Timbo | Thursday, 02 February 2017 at 02:53
You see, People, our intrepid reporter, Timbo, is right up there at the sharp end, risking everything to give you (or y'all') up to date reports. Dining at the Trump golf resort!!! There are no words!
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 02 February 2017 at 08:20
Orlando! God, that unspeakable place.
A sacrifice indeed. Feugh.
Posted by: Malcolm Pollack | Friday, 03 February 2017 at 23:36
Timbo?
You got reliable transportation? GPS mebbe?
14 miles west over in Winter Garden there's a place. Get on Highway 50.
Taqueria Jalisco is the place.
Posted by: JK | Sunday, 05 February 2017 at 01:37