Conservatives Clamor For GOP Senators To Filibuster Sotomayor Nomination

Once upon a time it was a terrible thing, now it isn’t because times (and the power balance) have changed:

Several years ago, when Senate Democrats were using filibusters to block confirmation votes on several of President George W. Bush’s appeals court nominees, some conservatives decried the tactic as unconstitutional.

But now, a coalition of conservative group leaders and opinion leaders has signed a letter calling on Senate Republicans to filibuster President Obama’s Supreme Court choice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. A draft the letter was obtained by The New York Times.

“We request that you will lead 40 or more senators to participate in a great debate that highlights all the issues that come to the fore with a Supreme Court nomination,” says the letter, addressed to Senator Mitch McConnell, the minority leader from Kentucky.

The conservatives say their intent is not to kill the nomination, as Democrats used the tactic, but rather to provide for lengthier debate on its merits.

Oh. Now I get it.

Perhaps more than the conservatives think….

Once upon a time, quite a few Republicans insisted the filibuster was a horrible, undemocratic, obstructioist, legislatively outmoded device (when the Democrats tried to use it). And not just a few. GO HERE and watch nine video clips showing Congressional GOPers decrying the filibuster (when the political numbers were a wee bit different, and “their” Supreme Court nominee was under consideration).

And the Democrats? Those Democrats who have suggested that now the filibuster is so hideous might watch the clips on the link, too, since they were somhow all for it then — as a vital rule put inserted into Senate procedures to protect against tyranny of the majority.

FACT: The filibuster is a legit rule in the Senate. If the GOP decides to use it to stop Sotomayor, they’ll look like hypocrites.

Hypocrites in 21st century American politics? SHAWKING…