The NY Times treats us to a flight of fancy:
For those who think Washington is too bitterly divided, which is almost everyone, some relief could be in sight. The bipartisan “gang of 14” that struck a deal to save the filibuster could start to be a powerful force for centrism on the most divisive issue on Capitol Hill – judicial nominations. But for that to happen, moderate Republicans like Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Lincoln Chafee and John McCain need to do two things: stick to their promise not to allow the filibuster to be eliminated and vote against the worst of President Bush’s judicial nominees…
There was, however, an encouraging sign that the days of Republican rubber-stamping could be waning. It was gratifying to see Senators Snowe and Collins from Maine and Senator Chafee from Rhode Island vote against William Pryor, another troubling nominee. We hope that they will vote more often in the future to oppose nominees who are radically out of step with the majority of voters in their states. Republican senators like John McCain, Chuck Hagel, Lindsey Graham and Mike DeWine, who pride themselves on their independence, should start proving it by not being automatic “yes” votes for the worst of the Bush judicial nominees.
The agreement signed by the 14 senators noted that the Constitution expects the president to consult with the Senate about judicial nominees, something this White House has refused to do. If the senators who signed the agreement insist that the White House talk to them in advance about possible nominees, it could go a long way toward defusing the bitterness that has descended on the judicial nomination process.
While Mr. Frist has been busy currying favor with the far right, Congress’s approval has fallen to just 31 percent, according to a new Associated Press-Ipsos poll. The public has been clear that it wants Congress to put partisanship aside to focus on issues that matter to ordinary Americans. Mr. Frist should stop devoting so much energy to getting every last extremist judicial nominee approved, and start addressing the country’s real problems.
Being a moderate doesn’t pay. Democrats aren’t going to be likely to vote for Snowe or Collins or McCain no matter what, and the leadership punishes those who get out of lockstep.
Bernard Yomtov
If Snowe and Collins can’t get Democratic votes they’re done for anyway. Kerry carried Maine 54-45, with 1% for Nader.
The biggest electoral danger the ME Senators face is having Frist and Co. hung around their necks.
Birkel
Lindsay (that ‘a’ might be an ‘e’) Graham could be in real trouble in SC.
We’ll see.
Kimmitt
McCain isn’t a moderate, he’s a conservative who hasn’t bought into the recent insanity.
That said, Democrats will vote for Snowe, if she runs as a Democrat.
John Cole
McCain isn’t a moderate, he’s a conservative
Good point. I was sloppy.
KC
Oh c’mon John. If it came down to it, Dems would vote for Snowe, Chaffee, Hagel, whoever if the situation demanded it. If Hagel ran for president, depending on the Dem opponent, I’d probably vote for him. I definitely know that if he’d ran a primary and won against Bush in 2004, I’d have gone for him in the last election. I just don’t want the wingnut religious right making too much policy, that’s all.
Jake
And as for McCain, he hasn’t faced a serious challenger with a (D) next to their name in the last 3 elections, which says that AZ Demos can, will, and do vote for him. McCain’s seat is one of the safest in the entire Senate, and his joining of the “Gang Of 14” won’t change that in the slightest.
And as for Snowe and Collins, they have favorable ratings of 65 and 58 percent, respectively. http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/05282005/maine/44707.htm
Which says to me that moderate Republicans can and will cotinue to be re-elected… That is, if they’re in a state willing to do so.
ppgaz
This AZ Dem was ready to vote for McCain until he went out and kissed the ass of GWB in the 2004 campaign.
It was physically painful for me to watch, after what Bush did to him in 2000. If you ever to know what kind of person George Bush is, just look at the record of the 2000 Republican primary. Follow the trail south from New England and observe. That lying scum is now president of your country.
I don’t know how you Republicans sleep at night, honestly.