ConfirmThem

By DanCT Posted in Senate Rules — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Hugh Hewitt wonders:

It is impossible to say whether this is a "terrible" deal, a "bad" deal, or a very, very marginally "ok" deal, but it surely is not a good deal.

It's terrible, Hugh.

1. Democrats agree to allow votes on three nominees, but make no commitment on the others. [It's amazing how a minority of Senators is able to dictate terms to a fairly large majority.]
2. Democrats reserve the right to filibuster: "Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist."
3. Republicans give up any check on the minority's power: "...we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress."

The commitment to oppose rules changes is unconditional. There is no out clause such as, "We commit, so long as Democrats are not abusing their discretion in our eyes. " Instead, it says, "We trust that the Democrats won't filibuster Luttig, McConnell, Estrada, Alito, or whomever is nominated to the Supreme Court unless they, in their own discretion, decide they want to. For our part, we put it in writing that we won't support any rules change because our trust in those Democrats is absolute. Trust but verify? Nah. That's mean. We just trust--period."