No Deal

According to Bill Frist, there will be no deal with Democrats on the "nuclear" option.

You know, I have to say I'm kind of glad about this. I was really afraid that the Democratic leadership was once again caving to republican pressure. In this case, there is no need to, Americans are with us on this issue.

I do understand why Reid would want to take the 'nuclear' option off the table. If the republicans use the nuclear option, they would be able to approve any judge they wanted to any court, including the supreme court, which could have a huge impact on individual liberty for decades. And negotiating a resolution to any problem is frequently a better idea than not.

However, the problem I have with Dems negotiating with them now is threefold. One, it will look as if the evangel-a-thon the republicans had on Sunday is affecting Dems decision to negotiate because the Dems are losing ground on this issue. That is far from the truth. The American public is against the 'nuclear'option. I would much prefer that Dems stick to their guns and let the American public see that republicans WILL SAY AND DO ANYTHING to get their own way. Let America see the republicans for what they really are, self-serving, high handed tactic wielding, self-righteous, pompus asses. And it will show the American public that we are on their side. We are with them on this issue and WE represent their point of view. This could cause a fissure in the veneer of the republican rhetoric from which all of their credibility on any issue will seep. And Dems could continually push on that fissure until the gulf between the neo-con agenda and what's best for the American people is seen by everyone. Two, negotiating and allowing "some" of the nominees get through makes it appear as if the Dems are caving on their agenda, again. The more we give in on our values, the more it validates the rhetoric of the right. Lastly, negotiating removal of the 'nuclear' option now does not prevent them from putting it back on the table when an opening on the Supreme Court becomes available.

We need to hold tough. We are winning on this issue. And although the nuclear option may eventually be used by the republicans, it will only show their self-serving, duplicitous nature and will affect the outcome of the 2006 elections.