Graham/DeWine did deal on GWB's behalf?
By smagar Posted in User Blogs — Comments (6) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
While watching Special Report with Brit Hume, I must have misheard.
I just saw Major Garrett interviewing Sen Mike DeWine. The story (again, I can't have heard this right)said that Graham and DeWine approached the Apple Dumpling Gang of Senate moderates about this deal, with the knowledge of Frist and GWB. Moreove, the report said, or at least implied, that GWB and Frist approved of the maneuver, because they felt Specter might defect, thus causing a cloture vote to fail.
If this is true, then are Graham and DeWine getting a bum rap? I can't imagine that the White House SENT Graham and DeWine in the first place; I don't doubt it was their idea to begin with.
But, Frist and the WH have been clear since the Grand Compromise that they had serious qualms with parts of the deal. So, did Graham and DeWine exceed their authority? IF they didn't, then how can Frist and the WH be so vociferous in their protest? If the GOP leadership was opposed to such a deal, then why didn't they call Graham and DeWine in, read them the riot act, and tell (or at least STRONGLY urge) them to stop?
Edu-me-cate me, RedStaters! (Not you, Armando).
It could be damage control spin, it could be real. I doubt you'll know any time soon.
pretty pleased with himself in the video. He seems pretty sure of himself in the second quote.
"...In other words, if Bush knew his nominee needed 60, not merely 51, then he might choose a less conservative nominee.
The Senate and Bush "are now back to pre-1987 (before the defeat of conservative Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork). Everything is a little on tippy-toes as to how to proceed and that is the best way for our separation of powers," Specter said.
I don't believe the Fox News story is well supported. It is based on "unnamed sources" and you know how unreliable those can be.
Think of it this way, if the Democrats knew that Frist didn't have the votes to win on the constitutional option, the Democrats would not have offered to invoke cloture on Owen, Brown and Pryor, in the face of furious opposition from Left-Wing interest groups.
Also, Frist, Hatch, Sessions and even DeWine, Graham and Warner have spoken, post-compromise, of using the constitutional option if the Democrats filibuster absent an "extraordinary circumstance."
If Frist didn't have the votes on Monday evening, this threat to go back to the constitutional option would be empty. Is this threat empty? We will probably find out some time this summer or fall, when a US Supreme Court vacancy opens up.
I think DeWine, learning that many conservatives are angry with him and are prepared to communicate their anger by voting against DeWine's son in a Congressional primary, is trying to repair the damage he has done to his and his son's political careers.
He's saying, "I'm not a sell out; I'm a savior."
I don't buy it.
I have heard in my circles that John Mitchel is running against DeWine for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator in 2006.
MM
You gotta think that the seat is safe for DeWine, at least in the primary.
I really hope Kasich runs.
I heard that last night as well. Here is what I found.