The Patriot Post® · Demos Trigger Nuke Option

If you like your filibuster, you can keep your filibuster. Or not. According to The Washington Post, “Senate Democrats eliminated filibusters for most presidential nominations, severely curtailing the political leverage of the Republican minority in the Senate and assuring an escalation of partisan warfare.” The change means that a simple majority is all that’s needed to confirm a nominee. Ironically, in 2005, then-Senator Barack Obama was against it: “I rise today to urge my colleagues to think about the implications of what has been called the nuclear option and what effect that might have on this Chamber and on this country.” As was Joe Biden: “We should make no mistake. This nuclear option is ultimately an example of the arrogance of power.” And Hillary Clinton: “I just had to hope that maybe between now and the time we have this vote there would be enough Senators who will say: Mr. President, no.” And Harry Reid: “The filibuster is not a scheme and it certainly isn’t new. The filibuster is far from a procedural gimmick. … The roots of the filibuster are found in the Constitution and in our own rules.” If it weren’t for double standards…

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it best by responding, “The solution to this problem’s at the ballot box. We look forward to having a great election in November 2014.” In the meantime, be sure and check out Heritage’s piece on what this means for the Senate.