In the Agora: That's More Like It

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January 26, 2006

That's More Like It

I am shocked that this so newsworthy, but I just take what Reuters gives me... Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia will vote for Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Ol' boy said: "My considered judgment from his record, from his answers to my questions, and from his obvious intelligence and sincerity, leads me to believe him to be an honorable man who loves his country, loves his Constitution and will give of his best. Can we really ask for more?"

Here's why Byrd's decision is not a big deal. Sen. Byrd is not committing an act tantamount to tearing up his D Card. He is doing the same thing that dozens of Republican Senators did in 1993 when Ruth Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 96 to 3, despite having been counsel for the ACLU. Byrd's remarks contain the same spirit as the sentiments of the 35 or so Republicans who voted to confirm Stephen Breyer in 1994. He is putting partisanship aside long enough to know a petty fight when he sees it and choosing to avoid joining the petty.

By making every Bush-approved move into the most recent sign of the Apocalypse, Democrats are working hard to solidify their place as poor losers and reactionists. Congratulations to Robert Byrd, Tim Johnson, and Ben Nelson for realizing this and supporting an obviously qualified SCOTUS nominee.

Posted by Adam Packer at January 26, 2006 09:04 PM

Comments

Democrats are working hard to solidify their place as poor losers...

I think this boilerplate expression by you is illogical. The Democratic Party has long since solidified its place as poor losers, indeed, as just plain losers. Moving far beyond solidification of this place, the party has long since fossilized its place as the Party of Losers Who Hold Losing Positions.

Thus, the Democratic Party has absolutely nothing to lose, nothing further at stake, by arguing that this nomination is "the most recent sign of the Apocalypse." Since the party has no last small measure of will of any kind to maintain, how could attempting to filibuster Judge Alito (and losing) possibly harm it?

I try, but you lose me with that logic.

Posted by: Nash at January 27, 2006 04:24 PM | permalink

"working hard to maintain their place as sore losers" work better?

it's a distinction that is of little consequence.

Posted by: Adam Packer at January 27, 2006 08:39 PM | permalink

Of course it's extremely questionable whether you could pull together those number of Republicans nowadays. Aren't they trying to get rid of the ones who would still vote that way in pretty much every primary?

Posted by: Jim S at January 27, 2006 09:12 PM | permalink

On the contrary, Adam, the distinction is key. You miss the larger point. I suggest to you that at this point the Democratic Party will get a greater benefit from fighting and losing a fillibuster battle over Judge Alito than if they chose not to raise this ruckus that has you so agitated.

You may not agree with my take, but yours is boilerplate and tired--mine at least is novel.

Posted by: Nash at January 28, 2006 02:24 AM | permalink

January 26, 2006

That's More Like It

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