Dems let GOP know they’re not afraid of the ‘nuclear option’
Bill Frist, among other Senate Republicans, seems anxious not only to implement the “nuclear option,” but more importantly, to use it to intimidate Senate Dems. The Majority Leader wants Dems to believe he can move on the “nuclear option” whenever he wants, so they better not stand in the GOP’s way. The obvious point is to bully Dems — they’re supposed to be too afraid to block would-be judges for fear of Frist’s radical response.
The funny thing, much to Frist’s consternation, is the Dems don’t seem afraid at all. In fact, just the opposite.
A month ago, for example, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid practically dared Frist to move ahead on his threat.
“They can threaten the nuclear option,” he said. “If they feel that’s great for the institution and the country, let them do it.” Noting that the only complaint he has heard from fellow Democrats is that not enough of Bush’s judicial nominees were blocked in the past four years, Reid said he is prepared “to go behind the pool hall and see who wins this one.”
This week, Dems took this one step further. In addition to standing up to Frist’s threats, Dems have decided to exploit the “nuclear option” for their own gain.
Senate Democrats are using the Republicans’ threat to end the filibuster of judicial nominees with the so-called “nuclear option” as a vehicle to raise campaign cash.
In a reversal of fundraising tactics, the appeal features Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who frequently is singled out by Republicans in their ads designed to raise money from GOP donors.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) sent out a mass e-mail from Kennedy to its supporters yesterday in which the veteran Democrat warns that “right wing judges” appointed by President Bush would pose a threat to “fundamental constitutional rights.”
Doesn’t much sound like a party cowering in fear. If Dems were worried about the “nuclear option,” they’d be tiptoeing around it, fearful of even bringing it up. Instead, they’ve taken to raising money off of it.
“Now, our very ability to block the confirmation of these ideological judges is in jeopardy,” Kennedy states in the fundraising appeal. “Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has arrogantly threatened repeatedly to rewrite the longstanding Senate rules and eliminate the filibuster rule, the basic procedure to prevent a narrow Senate majority from running roughshod over the rights of the Senate minority.”
Whether the fundraising pitch is successful or not bringing in a lot of money is not entirely the point. Dems, according to the GOP vision, are supposed to be terrified of the ultimate weapon in the Republicans’ procedural arsenal. But Dems aren’t afraid of the “nuclear option”; they’re embracing it and using it to rally the base.
I don’t want to read too much into one fundraising pitch, but the fact that Dems even sent this appeal out shows a certain degree of confidence that’s been lacking in recent years. To borrow a phrase, they seem to be saying, “Bring…it…on.”