So-Called "Nuclear Option" to Eliminate Filibuster on Judges Is "Heresy," Gore Says

Nathan Burchfiel at CNSNews.com reports:

In a speech Wednesday to members of the MoveOn.org Political Action Committee, former Vice President Al Gore called possible attempts to change Senate rules on filibusters "a poison pill for America's democracy" and "a dangerous American heresy."

Gore's speech was part of a nationwide series of "emergency rallies" organized by MoveOn.org members and the liberal Coalition for a Fair and Independent Judiciary to protest the possibility that Senate Republicans will use the "nuclear option" to bypass the filibuster of President Bush's judicial nominees.

Democrats in the Senate are blocking several of Bush's nominees, and Republicans do not have the 60 votes necessary to end the filibuster. The nuclear option, which Republicans are referring to as the "constitutional option," will be up for a vote this week.

In the prepared version of his speech, Gore said he was "genuinely dismayed and deeply concerned by the recent actions of some Republican leaders to undermine the rule of law by demanding the Senate be stripped of its right to unlimited debate where the confirmation of judges is concerned." (emphasis added)

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My Comments:
Oh my. The lengths to which the Democrats will go in order to make sure judicial nominees with "deeply held religious values" do not make it onto the federal judiciary. Now they've enlisted Pope Albertus to pontificate on the Republicans' "heretical" attempts to end the Democrats' unprecedented filibuster of President Bush's judicial nominees

"... a dangerous ... heresy"? Okay, Pope Albertus, whatever you say. Is that an infallible pronouncement? Or is this an attempt to counter the religious overtones of the pro-Republican "Justice Sunday" with a little old-time religion MoveOn.org-style? Regardless, I think labeling Republican attempts to end the filibuster of judicial nominees as "heresy" is taking the Democrats' political strategy of using religious imagery to appeal to so-called "values voters" a bit too far.

"... undermine the rule of law"? Since when did a mere procedural rule of the Senate rise to the level of "the rule of law"? Okay Albertus, try enforcing the filibuster rules against the Republicans in a court of law and see how far that gets you.

But once one realizes the importance of "unlimited debate" to Albertus, it's easy to comprehend why he's so upset. Remember that this is the guy who, according to former Senator Bob Dole, sold his vote on the 1991 Gulf War to the highest bidder - during debate on the war resolution, Albertus said he would cast his vote with whichever party gave him the most time to speak. Now, there's principle for you.

Heresy, indeed.