DAMNED LOSERS

HISTORY FORGETS COWARDS  But don’t forget the twenty two Democrats who voted to confirm John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States just yet. [story] If the confirmation vote was a foregone conclusion, what point is served in Democrats joining in the confirming vote? Some traditional collegiality in this most partisan age?  Call me when the Republicans call back with anything approaching such abject acquiescence.

WE WILL BE TOLD Democrats need to appear “reasonable.”  Democrats should think of appearing first.  The vapid evaporate in the political heat.  We will be told we must think of tomorrow, the battle that yet remains.  Running from the field does not even qualify as a strategic retreat. 

THE POLITICS OF TODAY has no tomorrow.  Principle arrives at this hour.  Those who fail to act on principle today deserve no tomorrow.  The Democrats who voted for Roberts lost more on this than they realize even as they voted for “the winner.”

LET OTHER VOICES NOW BE HEARD
[Avedon Carol]  . . . . the Senate confirmed John Roberts with only 22 Dems voting against him (and no Republicans, of course). Naturally, Arlen Specter is bopping around talking about all the delicious bipartisan support there is for this nominee. Dems voting yes: Baucus, Mont., Bingaman, N.M., Byrd, W.Va., Carper, Del., Conrad, N.D., Dodd, Conn., Dorgan, N.D., Feingold, Wis., Johnson, S.D., Kohl, Wis., Landrieu, La., Leahy, Vt., Levin, Mich., Lieberman, Conn., Lincoln, Ark., Murray, Wash., Nelson, Fla., Nelson, Neb., Pryor, Ark., Rockefeller, W.Va., Salazar, Colo., Wyden, Ore. What a bunch of suckers.

THE HERETIK SAYS it sucks to lose.  If these "reasonable" Democrats think something in this capitulation has been one, someone state what it is other than a chance to capitulate again in the future.  It is hard to believe that the high point of the current Senate session was the possible filibuster of Janice Rogers Brown and Priscilla Owen, which didn't happen.

AND THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE IS . . . .[Pseudo-Adriennne/Alas a Blog]  Roberts. Unfortunately but as *expected*, the Senate just confirmed Roberts in a 78-22 vote. Now let's wait for the shit-storm over Bush's pick for O'Connor's seat–that's the biggie to be most concerned with now. No surprises really. And perhaps it's time for NARAL Pro-Choice America to withdraw its endorsement of the alleged pro-choice Republican Chafee who voted yea?

THE HERETIK BELIEVES all the politicians posing as principled statesmen (and stateswomen) will be held to account for their votes today.  Some believe not voting for Roberts brands you as a crazed far left creature. What The Heretik sees in this is what crazy times we have come to.  Defense of what up to now has been a core constituency of pro-choice voters concerns is now a blemish.

[Joe Gandelman/The Moderate Voice] So Democrats were split enough that the entire party can't be labeled as having opposed Roberts.
But if you read this one thing stands out: the vote will be most troublesome to Hillary Clinton, who has been burnishing her credentials as a centrist.

THE HERETIK AGREES All hail the ruling eunuchs. Not opposing is a great victory only for those who hope to lose again.

SO WHAT'S NEXT?  A TIPOFF Harriet Miers will be nominated for Sandra Day O'Connor's seat on the court came when Bush spoke at Robert's swearing in. [White House]

I appreciate the Vice President being here, Attorney General Al Gonzales. I thank Harriet Miers, Counsel to the President, and members of my administration who worked on the nomination and confirmation.  I particularly want to thank former Senator Fred Thompson for his leadership. I thank the members of my Cabinet who are here.

Comments

[Kate]

No more donations to the national party, I guess, since there is no national party. I'm glad my senators here in Illinois voted no for that yahoo, but 22 others who said yes?! It's outrageous. What a time to lose your spine. They're a bunch of cowards.

[Eli]

Nice. I linkied, and asked someone to explain to me the whole "keeping-their-powder-dry" rationale for not opposing anything ever.