From the moment that Associate Justice David Souter announced his retirement, media fascination with conservative reaction ran parallel to guessing the president's choice. After Judge Sotomayor was named, it surged. Then something happened.
One week after the president's announcement, the largest coalition of conservative leaders ever to join on judicial nominations, spanning social conservatives to tax reformers, family associations to libertarians, and, for the first time, the Gun Owners of America, did something less newsworthy than the news press wanted. They sent Republican senators a letter to say exactly what conservatives expected.
As the Third Branch Conference, 121 well-known conservatives, such as Ken Blackwell, Grover Norquist, and Richard Viguerie, including leaders of policy and grassroots organizations from Alaska to Florida; radio talk hosts, and several members of the Republican National Committee, asked Senate Republicans for one thing only: a "great debate…suitably catalyzed to the American people "
The letter wasn't sparky, so journalists and bloggers wrote the story to their liking. Appearing on Hardball that night, I realized that I was merely a prop for a story that Chris Matthews (and later Keith Olbermann) had pre-written without facts.
When reporter Manu Raju of Politico called, I told him that we were not asking for an obstructive filibuster as Democrats had waged against 10 Bush appellate nominees and Judge Alito; that we discouraged such a filibuster. I explained that we were asking Republicans only to consider a traditional filibuster, together with moderate Democrats, if needed to ensure sufficient debate, not to obstruct a vote. The young man was honest. "That is hard to explain," he said. And he didn't try.
As the story played out, conservatives had demanded that Republican senators filibuster to block the Sotomayor nomination. Period.
Conservatives requested that the Sotomayor debate and final vote "honestly [display] the differences between Republicans and Democrats to the American people" and serve to "alert Americans to the consequences of the popular vote." We also asked for a debate to "make crystal clear why Americans should believe that Republicans are intelligent defenders of the Constitution, or not." There is, after all, some doubt.
Too soon, the Senate will start and end hearings on Judge Sotomayor's qualifications. The first part of a Senate debate will be over -- the easy part. The question remains whether afterward history will be disappointed.
The mark of failed Republican leadership -- already strong-armed by Democrats on hearing scheduling -- will certainly be allowing a confirmation vote before the August recess that denies time to senators and to the American people. Republican leaders will fail too if their only goal is to mirror the 22-22 Democrat vote for Judge Roberts and simply deliver 20 Republicans for and 20 against.
Republican opportunity for statecraft is in ensuring that debates on the Senate floor are not business-as-usual, but rather an inspired effort to highlight the issues that both define and divide us as a people. Even Republican senators who vote to confirm the judge can sound an alarm by explaining the risk of any more justices influenced by bias.
The emphasis is not on time. A great debate does not have to be long. But it should be spectacular; enough to illuminate what is at stake. We have seen such effort from Republicans before. It is possible.
It was 2003. When Democrats blocked a vote for appellate court nominee Miguel Estrada, after seven weeks of debate, and used the first-ever filibuster against a nominee-with-majority-support, Republicans responded by making them do it seven more times; progressively unnerving Democrat leader Tom Daschle, soon to face election defeat.
Senate Republicans mounted the greatest Senate effort on court nominations in American history, on and off the Senate floor. They staged four extraordinary floor events to take the debate to the people; events that Senate scholars called unprecedented. Then as now, Republicans did not ask for permission, and even took Democrats by surprise.
By December 15, 2003, 315 editorials that year had favored Republicans on the debate over judges, while only 54 favored Democrats. Polling conducted in April 2003 found that nearly two-to-one American opinion on the debate favored Democrats. By December, after Republicans applied creative effort, the same poll showed a reversal of public opinion favoring Republicans nearly two-to-one.
The pollsters concluded: "a determined effort on the part of congressional leadership can shape public opinion." Republicans lost Senate votes to Democratic filibusters that year, but reshaped public opinion, and won the great debate -- and the election of 2004.
Americans should consider the consequences of elections, in more than one news cycle. No doubt some Senate Republicans, who care mostly about their own futures, rather than ours, will want to get the Sotomayor vote done with. That is why this confirmation is a test of whether Republican leaders, with flawed outreach and understandings, are suited for their role, or should step aside in favor of a new generation with vim and dare.
The Democrats say Obamacare opponents are a mob. Are they right?
Participating in this survey will subscribe you to the American Spectator email newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Oldefarte| 6.24.09 @ 10:18AM
Great thoughts, Manuel---I agree! Personally, I will only vote for, going forward, any candidate who promises to work toward reversing the current programs/legislation that Obama and Democrats have [or will] institute; be they Republicans or Democrats!!!!!!!!!
Bert| 6.24.09 @ 10:50AM
Why does everyone assume Sotomayor can't be stopped? It takes only 10 GOP votes; i.e., solidarity, in the Judiciary Committee to keep her nomination from coming to the floor. The nomination can't proceed to the floor unless at least one Republican votes for her. Which weasel is expected to vote her out of committee? That is where your pressure needs to be exerted. If the GOP can't keep 10 votes together on something that important, why should anyone vote for them, ever?
Joe| 6.24.09 @ 12:51PM
I agree with Bert 100%. We need to pressure the leadership to do this and explain why to the people.
ONTIME| 6.24.09 @ 2:10PM
The more learned of Sotomayor and her record, actions and philosophy the less inclined one is to believe her to be compatible for this appointment. She does not display the temperment needed to make consistent rational decision nor can she express cogent thought on record in a way that conveys legal expertise but she has empathy coming from her ears.
bruce| 6.24.09 @ 2:56PM
quotamayor is a racist man hater and is not fit to judge anyone.
Liberal Reader| 6.24.09 @ 7:40PM
Wow. That's setting the bar high.
A conservative success is the ability of a few senators to stall a nomination for a few weeks.
Dream big, guys!
www.onnhl.com| 6.27.09 @ 2:44AM
Very nice post,really well written. I like them as if my best love NHL jersey about Boston Bruins,Buffalo Sabres,Chicago Blackhawks,Los Angeles Kings,Montreal Canadiens,Philadelphia Flyers,Pittsburgh Penguins & Washington Capitals
www.4myboots.com| 6.27.09 @ 2:52AM
Special Sale Offering,More VarityAnd Real Brand New Shoes,Free & Fast Shipping,Enjoy Your Walk To Wear The Shoes!
Gucci Shoes
Converse shoes
Prada Shoes
Nike Air Max
Adidas Shoe
Nike Air Force 1
Nike Air Jordan
Nike Dunk SB
Nike Shox
Supra Shoe
1)Special Sale Offering,and they are 100% original with authentic package.
2)Free & Fast Shipping,Enjoy Your Walk To Wear The Shoes!
3)The shipping time is 7-9 work days.
4)More product pictures are available on our website.
Welcome to visit our website http://www.4myboots.com
cheap handbags| 7.26.09 @ 7:30PM
We only sell the top grade replica cheap handbags, some of them are genuine leather handbags, yet the price is far lower than the authentic designers want you to pay. We lead you to a genuine pool of bags : collections in wide range: handbags, shoulder bags, clutches, tote bags, purses and wallets, the hottest brands you can find like replica Louis Vuitton handbags, Replica marc jacobs handags, Replica Prada handbags, Coach,Replica Chloe handbags,Burberry, Dior,replica Chanel handbags, Chloe,Replica gucci handbags, Dolce & Gabbana,Replica Balenciaga handbags . Crafted to the highest standard, from the finest materials in the industry, we guarantee the toppest Replica Hermes handbags at low price you'll find anywhere.
george| 7.29.09 @ 3:25AM
Louis Vuitton Epi Leather handbags , commonly referred to as
Louis Vuitton Epi Leather, or sometimes shortened to
Louis Vuitton LV Shoes bags has become one of the most
LV Shoes handbag luxury brands.
louis vuitton online storelove
louis vuitton online shopnice
vuitton onlinegood
luis vuitton onlinei like
s| 8.20.09 @ 2:58AM
Cheap Jordan,Cheap Jordan shoes,Retro Jordan,Air Yeezy Shoes,Supra shoes,Kanye West ShoesJordan shoes,New Jordans,Air Yeezy,Air Force Ones,Nike Dunks,Retro Jordan, Cheap Jordan Shoes,Nike Dunk High,True Religion Jeans,New Air Force OnesAir Yeezy Shoe,Supra Shoes,Retro Jordan,Creative Recreation,Nike DunksNike Air YeezyTrue Religion,Air Jordan Shoes,Air Shox,Air Max,Dunk Shoes.Air Jordan,Cheap Jordans,Jordan Shoes,Cheap Air Jordans,Air Jordan Shoes
dropshippngwatch| 9.1.09 @ 10:51PM
Replica Watch
Replica Watches
Fake Watch
Sales Replica Watches
Fake Watches
Fake Watch
Replica Watch
Replica Watches
Fake Watch
replica Rolex watches
Replica Bvlgari Watches
Replica Cartier Watches
Replica Chanel Watches
Replica Chopard Watches
Replica Christian Dior Watches
Replica Concord Watches
Replica Corum Watches
Replica D&G Watches
Replica De Witt Watches
Replica Ebel Watches
http://www.dropshippingwatch.com
Wedding Dresses| 9.10.09 @ 3:03AM
are located in all major cities such Wedding Dresses
Designer Wedding Gowns
as Shanghai, New York, etc, you may travel to these cities and get one for yourself.
Lingerie| 9.17.09 @ 9:48PM
sexy lingerie wholesale lingerie
slewing ring| 10.19.09 @ 11:39PM
shanghai massage
turntable bearings