the13thfloor

It is becoming obvious that the republicans are going to win the battle of the courts. The dems are backing off their stance to shut down the senate if the filibuster rules are changed. They know if this tactic is used it will cost them more seats in 2006. The dems are now changing tactics ala David Broder and others, A Judicious Compromise (washingtonpost.com) to a more moderate stance. Actually, I think they are just trying to save the showdown for the more important Supreme Court nominations instead of a premature blast with the appellate nominations. Thanks to the likes of Hugh Hewitt and other radio personalities, the weak-kneed leadership in the senate got a swift kick in the pants from their constituents concerning these filibusters. As the leadership projected weakness and a willingness to compromise, and some of the more moderate Republican Senators showed signs of siding with the minority, a ground-swell of anger rose from the grassroots. We let these wimps know that the last 10 years of winning elections means something to us. We let them know we are willing to kick out the weak and start over again! What is the point of winning election after election if the minority can still set the tone of the argument. We are willing to support any opponent of weak republicans just to get them out of power. Elections do mean something. Winning means we get to pick judges. Winning means winning! Guess what happened? The Republicans took a stronger position and pushed the issue. They promised a swift instead of protracted fight for the judicial nominees. They started taking like winners and the dems backed down. We have the power, now we need to learn how to use it!