John Hinderaker, Powerline
What a hideous deal! The Democrats have agreed to cloture on only three nominees, and they have made no commitment not to filibuster in the future, if there are “extraordinary circumstances.” Of course, the Dems think any nominee who is a Republican is “extraordinary.” The Dems have just wriggled off the hook on some of the nominees that, politically, some of them did not want to be seen voting against.
Someone explain to me why the Republicans haven’t been rolled once again. To me, it looks like a pathetic collapse on the part of the Republicans–not the leadership, but Senators like McCain who sold out their party.
ONE MORE: Now the Republicans are treating the execrable Robert Byrd like a hero! Unbelievable. What a low moment. “We have kept the Republic,” Byrd says. I think I’m going to be sick.
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.
Ed Hennessey, Captain’s Quarters,
If the Republicans have foresworn the Byrd option without an ironclad guarantee that the filibuster will not be used on nominees with majority support, then they have traded their hard-won majority for de facto minority status — and the leadership will have to answer for this result.
Mark Tapscott (via Malkin)
I said months ago that Senate GOPers are terrified of offending Senate Democrats. Now we will see the Senate GOP leadership desperately searching for a way to share in the glory that even as this post is being written is being prepared by the MSM to shower upon Senate “moderates” of both parties who “saved” the Senate and the federal judiciary from the Extreme Right and the Evangelical Christian Theocracy.
Good Call Indeed. The first wire stories are rolling in,
Boston Globe Headline: Modeates Reach Filibuster Deal
When you click the link, the headline to the AP story reads “Senators avert showdown over filibusters”. Interesting.
WASHINGTON –In a dramatic reach across party lines, Senate centrists sealed a compromise Monday night to clear the way for confirmation of many of President Bush’s stalled judicial nominees, leave others in limbo and preserve venerable filibuster rules.
“In a Senate that has become increasingly partisan and polarized, the bipartisan center held,” said Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., one of 14 senators –seven from each party — to pledge their “mutual trust and confidence” on the deal.
Blogs for Bush is liveblogging and has tons of great links.