I wish I could say we're going to win because the Democrats' strong, principled stand to protect minority rights and, indeed, the institution of the Senate itself will win over sane, moderate Republicans. But, sadly, nothing so noble will carry the day if and when Frist decides to press the nuclear button.
Nope, the only Profiles in Courage that will be written after this showdown will appear in Forbes Magazine
Here's the thing. As
MarketWatch reports
A fight over the proper role of the Senate filibuster could force business lobbyists to shelve any near-term hopes for many items on their legislative wish lists, analysts said.
Yep, that's right, the Fristian jihad against the judiciary might gum up the works when it comes to scratching the backs of America's most favored citizens corporations. Lobbyists are getting squeamish now that analysts have reported that Reid's response to Frist's nuke will be to put the breaks on plutocrat-friendly legislation in favor of advancing the Democratic agenda of helping regular Americans. And here's where the rubber is going to meet the road and Fristie's GOP buddies are going to bolt. Because in D.C., money talks and Dobson's wingnut bullshit is going to have to walk.
We knnow that we've got all the Dems, plus Jeffords, McCain, Chafee, and Snowe as firm "no" votes against the nuclear option. That makes 48, and Collins is a pretty sure "no," bringing the tally to 49 and meaning that we need two more. Let's consider some of the Senate's "swing voters" when it comes to the nuclear option:
John Warner The old-guard Republican Senator from Virginia has a sterling 100% rating from the US Chamber of Commerce. Can't do much better than that.
Chuck Hagel the self-styled "maverick" from Nebraska is another corporate all-star. Take it from Business Week:
Corporate America loves Hagel. Business execs see him as an articulate advocate of internationalism and free trade. He has a 100% rating from the Business-Industry Political Action Committee and tops all senators in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's lifetime scorecard. ''He is a man of strong convictions who's willing to fight for what he believes in,'' says Lonnie Taylor, the Chamber's chief congressional lobbyist. ''He looks like a President or Vice-President."
Mike DeWine has twice collected the Chamber of Commerce's "Spirit of Enterprise Award," presented to reward Sen. Dewine for his support of pro-business legislation. The CoC gives him a 96% rating, and he has been so reluctant to meet with union representatives that he was described as "a total little jerk, who made it clear he was there just because he had to be."
So, let's recap, We need two out of the three corporate shills listed above to buck Dobson and vote their wallets. I think the filibuster is in good hands.