This is a very interesting situation. I don't think it was attention that was lacking, but enthusiasm or energy. I think the excitement of someone like Kerry unexpectedly asking for our help was the catalyst.
I've found that it's sort of hard to determine what will capture the activism and of the blogosphere, even though I've been a lurker around here for years. It seems like some good causes go ignored, while others become huge.
Sarah www.carterfornevada.com
Hey Sarah, thanks for your insight and comments. It's great to see that you're joining in the community.
If I may ask, what does your dad think og the Alito nomination/confirmation? Would he have been a guaranteed filibuster vote?
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but I wanted to check with my Dad first so that I would be sure to not put words in his mouth. So, here's the email he sent to me in response to the question:
Say, I would have voted NO for Alito and NO for the filibuster. I disagree with Alito's stands. I'm sorry he got confirmed and I'm well aware that his impact on the SC will be longlasting. However, the Republicans played by the rules and the Constitution. They got the votes for their majority and their President fairly (at least, mostly fairly) and we have to accept that. I take some responsibility for the Democrats' failure to keep more in tune with the American people. The issues are all on our side, but we continue to give the Republicans free and unopposed reign in the rural areas of our country where they have been successful in painting us as having no "family values". We, as a Party, have been remiss in ceding this important group of voters to our opposition, and now we as a nation have to pay for it with this kind of Judge. I am not going to allow that to happen in my race. I am going to give the rural areas the time and respect they are due. We Democrats have no reason to fear country folks. They have a strong grasp on the American values that are the core of our Party. They will be with us if we go to them and ask for their support. yd
I would have voted NO for Alito and NO for the filibuster. I disagree with Alito's stands. I'm sorry he got confirmed and I'm well aware that his impact on the SC will be longlasting. However, the Republicans played by the rules and the Constitution. They got the votes for their majority and their President fairly (at least, mostly fairly) and we have to accept that.
I take some responsibility for the Democrats' failure to keep more in tune with the American people. The issues are all on our side, but we continue to give the Republicans free and unopposed reign in the rural areas of our country where they have been successful in painting us as having no "family values". We, as a Party, have been remiss in ceding this important group of voters to our opposition, and now we as a nation have to pay for it with this kind of Judge.
I am not going to allow that to happen in my race. I am going to give the rural areas the time and respect they are due. We Democrats have no reason to fear country folks. They have a strong grasp on the American values that are the core of our Party. They will be with us if we go to them and ask for their support.
yd
Thanks Sarah! I'm a bit sad that he wouldn't filibuster, but a NO vote on Alito sure is a hell of a lot more than we could get from Ensign.
Best of luck for your Dad. I think he's awesome.
yeah, I was going to say "a sense of hopelessness in the face of inevitability" and that the last-minute flurry gave an unexpected shot of possibility...
we shouldn't be hopeless. perhaps we don't need calls to action but evidence that there might be enough votes that some leaning could make a difference, and I don't think you can get that several months out...
acm
