Geee Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 National Review: For all the gnashing of teeth over the lack of comity and civility in Washington, the real problem is not etiquette but the breakdown of constitutional norms. Such as the one just spectacularly blown up in the Senate. To get three judges onto a coveted circuit court, frustrated Democrats abolished the filibuster for executive appointments and (non–Supreme Court) judicial nominations. The problem is not the change itself. It’s fine that a president staffing his administration should need 51 votes rather than 60. Doing so for judicial appointments, which are for life, is a bit dicier. Nonetheless, for about 200 years the filibuster was nearly unknown in blocking judicial nominees. So we are really just returning to an earlier norm. The violence to constitutional norms here consisted in how that change was executed. By brute force — a near party-line vote of 52-48. This was a disgraceful violation of more than two centuries of precedent. If a bare majority can change the fundamental rules that govern an institution, then there are no rules. Senate rules today are whatever the majority decides they are that morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clearvision Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? I hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geee Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? Nope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cudjo Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? I hope so. well, you know "live in hope and die in despair" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valin Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? I hope so. well, you know "live in hope and die in despair" (Broad Brush Time) Republicans want to govern....Democrats want power. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyM Posted November 29, 2013 Share Posted November 29, 2013 Stand by for major wailing and gnashing of teeth when the Republican take over, and use these new and improved rules, for their own political purposes. What, you think the Republicans would have the balls to do similar things? Nope That's a lot of balls-talk under the assumption the Republicans could take over. Y'all have more confidence than I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now