Friday, September 23, 2005
More reasons why no Democrat should have voted for Robert's.
They all wanted Democrats to oppose Roberts.
The opposition to the Roberts nomination in Democratic circles is vocal, widespread and not confined to the party's left; Bruce Reed, the president of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, urged a no vote this week [...]
Ellen Malcolm, a leading fund-raiser who heads Emily's List, a group that backs Democratic women who support abortion rights, said Democrats at the grass roots wanted to see their senators fighting back, even if they lacked the numbers to prevail.
"I'm a realist here. They've got their 55 votes," Ms. Malcolm said of the Republicans. "But people want to see a show of strength and leadership from Democratic senators." [...]
"The only thing that Karl Rove and George W. Bush respect is power, and those who have the courage to stand up to them," said Ralph G. Neas, president of People for the American Way, the liberal advocacy group and leading opponent of the Roberts nomination.
Honestly, this was an encouraging piece. It means consensus on becoming an effective opposition party may finally be building. Even at places like the DLC. And eventually, that can't help but filter down to elected Democrats and eventually pierce their Capitol Hill bubbles.
