Republicans Cave on the Filibuster

Honestly, is anyone surprised? The Republicans have been a huge disappointment. The one thing they've had going for them over the past several years is this very simple, yet powerful, phrase: "well, at least they're not Democrats". But that's wearing a bit thin with me. I don't want people who "aren't Democrats"; I want people who will follow through when they have the Democrats behind the 8-ball -- you know, people who will do what you know the Democrats would do if they had the upper hand. What good is it to have Republicans in power if they're going to let the Democrats have their way? Seriously.

On the bright side, as majority leader, Frist has the power to compel the Democrats to do a real filibuster whenever they threaten one. That would be a good strategy to physically wear them down (instead of letting them get away with this wimpy 'procedural filibuster' in which they don't actually have to talk the whole time). Of course, if he were likely to ever do that, he would have done it already. He lacks the conviction -- just like all the other Republicans. And on a related matter, I have a question -- if Bolton doesn't get confirmed as the UN ambassador, can he be the new Republican Senate Majority Leader?

Speaking of John Bolton, Frist is surprised that the Democrats are engaging in obstruction on his vote when they promised not to. Now why would he be surprised that the Democrats are doing what they said they wouldn't? You'd think he had never seen a Democrat.

posted by The Sovereign Editor | 12:33 PM

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