Senator Kennedy defends his futile filibuster attempt.
Mr. Kennedy and Senator John Kerry, both of Massachusetts, argued for an effort at a filibuster during a Democratic caucus meeting last Wednesday, provoking a passionate debate. Many Democrats have grumbled privately since then that mounting a doomed filibuster would only expose senators from conservative states to political heat....
"There was a difference in terms of strategy," [Kennedy] said, "but not on the substantive issue, which is the overriding issue, Judge Alito."
Here's something Kennedy said while arguing for the filibuster:
"We have a responsibility to try to present this to the American people"...
"What's the next measure on the calendar? Asbestos? Isn't that interesting?" he continued. "Anything more important than spending time and permitting the American people to understand this issue? I don't believe so."
Yeah,
the asbestos litigation problem is a big bore. Why rush to try solve a difficult problem that we've gotten away with ignoring for decades when we can pontificate about a lost cause? But the fact is there's no rush at all to get to the subject of asbestos, because, for the Democrats, it's
just another matter for filibuster anyway.
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Well, well, well ... after the hundreds of millions of dollars spent in asbestos litigation and after the economic toll on the many companies, large and small, driven into bankruptcy, contributing to the erosion of our manufacturing base, the Congress finally rouses itself to take a look at dubious litigation practices and fairness to the injured......well, well, well
Had the situation been reversed, he would have been complaining about the asbestos issue being held up by 25 Republicans. As Ed Whelan points out, all they did was focus on the real cloture vote 72-25, instead of the confirmation vote (probably 57-43) which could preserve some future fillibuster "threat".
I can't figure out what the point of the filibuster attempt was. Maybe Kerry/Kennedy felt that it appealed to their base (IOW: $$$s), but all it showed me was that Kerry can't even lead his own party, far less the entire country.
Kennedy simply looked unhinged.
Made-up word verification: tempertantrum.
Gerry: I don't know how restrictive the word "filibuster" needs to be. The dictionary has a broad definition, actually. But you're right about what the article is saying Reid is doing, trying to prevent debate from beginning.
He reminds me of a lawyer I knew who would stand up and start bellowing about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc., whenever he saw his case falling apart. A client of his asked me once in great admiration, is he always like that? Only when he's losing, guy.
Shouldn't the heading for this post be , 'It was the left battle at the left time, and the left cause'?
Glad Kennedy finally got the memo on asbestos, as it was a bit of a red herring anyway. It's all about risk assessment. I offer some facts on asbestos at my blog.
Ted's awesome.
Democrat's worst fear comes true.
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