04/26/05

The battle over President Bush's judicial appointments has started to look like a high-stakes poker game, with each side continuing to raise the ante while daring the other to go 'all in.' Senate Democrats seem determined to continue their filibusters of the president's most extreme nominees, while Republicans are increasingly threatening to employ the so-called 'nuclear option,' simply abolishing the 200-year-old filibuster, although only with regard to judicial confirmations. In policy terms, the Democrats have the better case. ... When it comes to poker, however, the Republicans have thoroughly outmaneuvered their opponents. You would expect the Bush administration to be pretty good at Texas Hold 'Em, but it is surprising how badly the Democrats, led by Nevada Senator Harry Reid, have played their hand...

http://tinyurl.com/bswds

from Boston Globe, by Steven Lubet


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp