Nuclear Wednesday

Is this the day the world ends?

Today Bill Frist is planning to bring wingnut judicial nominee Priscilla Owens to the Senate for a vote. To recap for those of you who have been hiding under a rock: owens is the test case to see if the Democrats will filibuster, and if they do, he intends to break 2 senate rules. First they will break the 2/3 requirement for any rule change, and second they will break a 200 year tradition by killing the filibuster. Oh sure, they'll claim that it's only for judicial nominees, but we all know that they will extend the priniciple to ordinary legislation.

Now New Donkey and others have suggested that maybe the Dems should fold on this issue in order to preserve the filibuster. My response is simple: we will have backed down under pressure, effectively eliminating the filibuster anyway. In the future the majority will just say "nuclear option" and the minority will give way. However, if we win this vote, then no one will ever try to do it again. We are united and may win this vote. We should draw the line in the sand here and dare them to cross it. It is finally time to show Republicans that we are not to be trifled with. This is our best opportunity to preserve minority rights in our political system, and we cannot walk away from it.

So pay attention today. Assuming Frist follows through with his plans, the future of the Senate is at stake.