Dems continue to be reasonable - repugs refuse

Once again, the Dems try their damnest to come up with a reasonable compromise with the repugs regarding their outrageous, far-from-the-mainstream nominees. Time & again the Dems show that they are trying to avoid the obstructions that the repugs are forcing upon the Senate, but the repugs want it ALL - no compromise EVER! Truly is disgusting how the repugs are putting their petty political games above the good of the country once again!

Reid continues to seek compromise as battle over judges heats up

WASHINGTON -- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., this week faces his biggest showdown yet as Democratic leader as he and Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., delicately negotiate an intensifying round of brinksmanship over judicial nominees.

The long-simmering standoff, over a "nuclear option" that would change a procedure in which judges are approved, could have long-lasting effects on how the Senate approves nominees.

At stake could be the Senate's ability to work through this year's legislative business and its ability to preserve what little comity is left between the parties. After months of press conferences and rhetoric on both sides, the issue could come to a head as early as this week over several judges that President Bush nominated to the Senate four years ago. Members of Reid's staff say they don't expect action until next week.
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Reid on Monday made another attempt at forging a compromise, offering Democratic support for controversial Bush appeals court nominee Thomas Griffith, who served as a Senate lawyer during the Clinton impeachment trial and as general counsel for Brigham Young University.

The olive branch was extended in part to entice moderate Republicans to break ranks with Frist's hard-line stance that each nominee receive an up-or-down vote. President Bush and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Monday called for support of that stance.

Reid, however, continued to call for compromise.

"Let's take a step back from the precipice," Reid said Monday. "Let's try cooperation, rather than confrontation, which seems to be the hallmark of what we've been doing here lately."

Frist essentially rejected Reid's offer Monday. The two Senate leaders had resumed talks this week after a lull in their negotiations last week during a Senate recess when Frist was in the Middle East, aides said.

At issue are 10 judges nominated by President Bush that Senate Democrats rejected in the last Congress.

Frist wants an up or down vote on each, seven of whom have been re-nominated by Bush.

But Democrats seek to preserve their right to filibuster and ultimately block a vote on a few nominees they deem unacceptable. In public appearances, Reid routinely notes that the Senate has approved 204 of Bush's judicial nominees and has rejected only 10.
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Reid says Democrats will not give up their right to filibuster, and Frist has signaled that he won't settle for anything less than an up-or-down vote on every nominee.

"There is not a lot of room to negotiate," UNLV political science professor Ted Jelen said. "The ball is in the Republicans' court."
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Still, Reid has sought to articulate a commitment to -- and perhaps his anguish over -- finding a compromise. Reid wants a solution "in the worst way," he said during a Senate floor speech.

So does Frist, but he is not backing down, Republicans say. "Confirm them or deny them but give them all a vote," Frist said.
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Reid has called the right shots in the standoff, protecting the minority, working toward a compromise and appealing to a handful of moderate Republicans who might side with him, Bryan said.

"Sen. Reid has done a good job positioning the Democratic caucus," Bryan said. "This would be a fundamental change in the Senate."

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Apparently, Frist's idea of a "solution" is for the Dems to back down and do just what the repugs tell them to! Some "compromise"!!! Reid time & time again has tried to make a reasonable offer only to be slapped down. It is obvious who is being absurdly stubborn, regardless of the effect on this country. Can you even imagine what this country would be like if the repugs actually cared for the people and not just their own lust for absolute power at all costs?