Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., is leading his party's charge to resort to the nuclear option to push judges through potential Senate filibusters. If the option is adopted, Senate rules could be changed to allow a 51-member vote to end filibusters, as opposed to the normal 60. This potential move is totally uncalled for and could, if executed, haunt Senate Republicans down the road.
Frist stated in a news conference on Tuesday that the Republicans would not accept a deal proposed by the Democrats that would have allowed two of President Bush's nominees to be confirmed if a third was scuttled. While the Senate Democrats should not seek further negotiations, Sen. Frist should consider the popular opinion within his own party and refrain from changing long-standing senatorial practices needed by the party out of power.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Democrats in the Senate made a mistake by even attempting to forge any type of deal with the majority Republicans. Such a move is only further testament to their position of powerlessness, and, as evidenced by Frist's reaction to the deal, produces no results with the headstrong Republican leadership anyway. The Democrats should simply continue trying to block the confirmations of those nominees they feel are inadequate. Even if such a course of action proves a losing battle, bargaining is not the answer for the minority Democrats. Besides, it's not as if the Democrats are being obstructionist -they have confirmed some 95 percent of Bush's nominees.
On the other hand the Republicans, with their position of power, should act with more responsibility and forethought. Any vote that effectively eliminates judicial filibusters would be a difficult move to reverse. Although it may seem impossible now, a time will likely come again when the Republicans do not control both the presidency and Congress. In the event they face such circumstances, the Republicans would regret a decision to stifle the minority opinion.
Some Republicans who are actually in opposition to the ban, like Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are likely using this very logic. Frist would do well to resist the passions of the moment and consider the long-term repercussions of what he and his supporters are attempting to do. He should listen to the warnings of those on both sides of the political spectrum and cease his quest.
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Bill Frist versus the Senate minority
