ConfirmThem

By Paul Zummo Posted in Analysis and Predictions — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

At what point does heated political rhetoric transform from mere hyperbole to outright lying? I ask this question as I currently listen to Senate Democrats explain how minority "rights" would be threatened if the judicial filibusters are eliminated. Clearly they jest, n'est-ce pas?

It would be one thing if the filibuster provided the only means through which Senators could express their disapproval of a judicial nominee, but as we all know this is not the case. Obviously all members of the Senate will have ample opportunity to discuss and debate the merits of individual nominees regardless of whether or not they are able to filibuster. As such, their protestations that the curtailment of the filibuster is tantamount to majority tyranny rings quite hollow.

And yet, almost to a man (or woman) they repeat this silly mantra which is, essentially, an outright lie. It is not as though the Republicans in the Senate are desiring to shut off all debate, but instead are merely acting within their legislative and constitutional rights to allow the majority to act on a presidential nominee.

What's more galling and frustrating is that there appears to be no effort on the part of the Democrats to seriously defend their actions. They have chosen to make vague accusations about the supposed extremism of the judges and to fling wild charges about the "nazi-like" tactics of the majority leadership. And now Senator Reid has laid down what has to be the most futile threat in the history of Congress. And throughout all of this the Democrats have failed to justify their actions through an informed discussion about why their minority tyranny is justified by the Constitution or Senate rules. Exactly how does one defend what is basically a minority veto after having read the Constiution's advice and consent clause? Don't ask the Democrats because they cannot provide a rational answer.

It is not my contention that Republicans are completely above over-the-top rhetoric, but at some point there needs to be an argument put forward that relies on something more than careless exagerrations and extreme falsehoods. The Democratic party's words and actions over the past few days convinces me that they ought to replace the donkey as their symbol with the drawing of a child throwing a temper tantrum.