Mainstream Conservatives Slap Down Jeff Sessions' Obstructionist Filibuster

Rushin' to get his makeup right, Sessions left his sheet & hood home

After spitefully holding his nomination up for nearly nine months, the dominant obstructionist wing of the Republican Senate caucus was dealt a severe setback today when even the most reactionary and cowardly Democrats who often join GOP crusades against sanity-- Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln and Claire McCaskill to be precise-- stuck with their own party and 10 mainstream conservatives abandoned Jeff Sessions' harebrained filibuster of Judge David Hamilton. His nomination was confirmed 70-29. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III (KKK-AL), still vengeful because of his own rejection for a judgeship in 1986 when it came out that his bigotry was rooted in his relationship to the Klan, has vowed to obstruct every Obama judicial nomination.

This time he lost conservative members of his own caucus who felt that his pointless and childish game-playing was making the Republican Party look bad to mainstream voters. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dick Lugar (R-IN), John Thune (R-SD), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) all voted to confirm judge Hamilton, as did Republican-leaning Independent Joe Lieberman. Once again, Session was left looking like the extremist idiot and loser that he is.

The American Bar Association rated Hamilton "well qualified." But even the hard right Federalist Society of Indiana endorsed him-- as did legitimate editorial boards across the country. And one of the Senate's worst racists and most blatant bigots condemned Sessions' ill-conceived strategy... Jeff Sessions in 2003:

Of the many reasons why we shouldn't have a filibuster, an important one is the Article I of the Constitution. It says the Senate shall advise and consent on treaties by a two-thirds vote, and simply "shall advise and consent" on nominations.

Historically, we have understood that provision to mean-- and I think there is no doubt the Founders understood that to mean-- that a treaty confirmation requires a two-thirds vote, but confirmation of a judicial nomination requires only a simple majority vote. That is why we have never had a filibuster. People on both sides of the aisle have understood it to be wrong. They have understood it to be in violation of the Constitution.

As Senator Hatch has said, the complaint suggesting there was a filibuster on the Fortas nomination is not really correct. They had debate for several days. Apparently, when the votes were counted, it was clear that considering those who were absent, there were enough votes to defeat the nomination, and the nomination was withdrawn.

So there has never really been a filibuster of a judicial nominee in the Senate until now, when our Democratic colleagues have decided to change the ground rules on confirmation. They have said so and done so openly, and seem to be little concerned that the Constitution may be violated in the process.

Mr. President, these nominees are entitled to an up-and-down vote. If a Member does not like them, he or she can vote against them. But it is time to move these nominees. How can they defend voting against nominees of the quality of Priscilla Owen or Miguel Estrada? How can they justify opposing a man of such integrity, ability, patriotism, and courage as Attorney General Bill Pryor, a man of faith and integrity? These are questions that should be answered on the floor. Let us discuss these nominees' records here. And then, let us just vote. That is what the Constitution and Senate tradition demand of us.

I think the American people are getting engaged, and they are telling us "we are tired of obstructionism," "we are tired of delays," and "we believe these nominees deserve an up-and-down vote." I could not agree more.

This bumbling imbecile and idiot is the best the Republicans can come up with to lead their members on the Senate Judiciary Committee:




UPDATE: Hamilton Confirmed

Only one Republican, Dick Lugar, joined every Democrat today in confirming David Hamilton to Seventh Court of Appeals.