Comments on: Defending the Filibuster http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/ Online Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:55:09 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: BUFFALOg http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-28350 BUFFALOg Tue, 30 Nov 2004 04:57:50 +0000 /?p=8226#comment-28350 <strong>Save The Filibuster</strong> I might be willing to agree with Will if the filibusterers had to go back to the filibuster as it was first conceived -- Save The Filibuster
I might be willing to agree with Will if the filibusterers had to go back to the filibuster as it was first conceived --

]]> By: Stygius http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-28347 Stygius Tue, 30 Nov 2004 02:06:26 +0000 /?p=8226#comment-28347 The filibuster will not be killed off by Dick Cheney and Bill Frist with a chair ruling. Sorry, but nineteenth century senators were a little smarter than that. The ruling itself can simply be filibustered, and the "constitutional" argument against filibustering nominations ignores the fact that the Constitution says that the houses of Congress can establish there are own rules, like--say--the right to unlimited debate. Outside is right -- political theater it will be, and that is all it will be. http://stygius.typepad.com/stygius/2004/11/end_of_the_fili.html The filibuster will not be killed off by Dick Cheney and Bill Frist with a chair ruling. Sorry, but nineteenth century senators were a little smarter than that. The ruling itself can simply be filibustered, and the "constitutional" argument against filibustering nominations ignores the fact that the Constitution says that the houses of Congress can establish there are own rules, like--say--the right to unlimited debate.

Outside is right -- political theater it will be, and that is all it will be.

http://stygius.typepad.com/stygius/2004/11/end_of_the_fili.html

]]> By: Wizbang http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-28313 Wizbang Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:54:15 +0000 /?p=8226#comment-28313 <strong>Defending the Filibuster</strong> George Will defends the filibuster in his Newsweek column. The filibuster is an important defense of minority rights, enabling democratic government to measure and respect not merely numbers but also intensity in public controversies. Filibusters enabl... Defending the Filibuster
George Will defends the filibuster in his Newsweek column. The filibuster is an important defense of minority rights, enabling democratic government to measure and respect not merely numbers but also intensity in public controversies. Filibusters enabl...

]]> By: Myopist http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-28306 Myopist Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:41:11 +0000 /?p=8226#comment-28306 "I also think that its application should be restored to what it was in the day, when filibustering Senators dared not even yield the floor long enough for a bathroom break." Yea indeedy. For all the tough talk, neither party's Senators are what you'd call hardcore when it comes to modern filibusters, not least of which is because, well, these guys know each other and stuff. Indeed, in many ways the Senate resembles nothing so much as the World Wrestling Federation with nice ties; lots of sound and fury and trash talk, but everybody car pools together at the end of the day. I am not saying that there's anything wrong with that in general, mind you - but the judiciary thing has gone too far and the Democrats are going to have to publicly admit defeat on this, at least a little. "I also think that its application should be restored to what it was in the day, when filibustering Senators dared not even yield the floor long enough for a bathroom break."

Yea indeedy. For all the tough talk, neither party's Senators are what you'd call hardcore when it comes to modern filibusters, not least of which is because, well, these guys know each other and stuff. Indeed, in many ways the Senate resembles nothing so much as the World Wrestling Federation with nice ties; lots of sound and fury and trash talk, but everybody car pools together at the end of the day.

I am not saying that there's anything wrong with that in general, mind you - but the judiciary thing has gone too far and the Democrats are going to have to publicly admit defeat on this, at least a little.

]]> By: McGehee http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/defending_the_filibuster/comment-page-1/#comment-28300 McGehee Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:12:50 +0000 /?p=8226#comment-28300 It's possible that the minority in the incoming Senate will be less confrontational, and the filibuster abuse of the last few years will become a shameful memory. But if not, I think restricting the use of the filibuster would have to be in the best long-term interest of the Senate. I also think that its application should be restored to what it was in the day, when filibustering Senators dared not even yield the floor long enough for a bathroom break. In fact, that alone might achieve more than placing restrictions on the occasions in which the filibuster can be used; minority-party Senators would be more inclined to pick their fights -- er -- judiciously. It's possible that the minority in the incoming Senate will be less confrontational, and the filibuster abuse of the last few years will become a shameful memory.

But if not, I think restricting the use of the filibuster would have to be in the best long-term interest of the Senate. I also think that its application should be restored to what it was in the day, when filibustering Senators dared not even yield the floor long enough for a bathroom break.

In fact, that alone might achieve more than placing restrictions on the occasions in which the filibuster can be used; minority-party Senators would be more inclined to pick their fights -- er -- judiciously.

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