Jim Bunning accused by biased media of being a Dutch Pirate*

by: Daniel De Groot

Wed Mar 03, 2010 at 07:54



Yeah, I'm with Red State, Michelle Malkin, Ed Morrisey and Erick Erickson.  Where does Roll Call and the rest of the lamestream media get off calling Bunning's persistent use of a procedural tactic to block a vote on legislation, a "filibuster"?  

The Senate even provides a definition of the term!


filibuster - Informal term for any attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it at length, by offering numerous procedural motions, or by any other delaying or obstructive actions.

Clearly this term has a specific, narrow legal meaning and only refers to what happens when between 41 and 49 Senators vote "no" on a cloture motion.  That's been Senate tradition since the founders 1975!

h/t to Grace Nearing for this comment at Sadly, No!
* - cf.

Daniel De Groot :: Jim Bunning accused by biased media of being a Dutch Pirate*

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Joking aside (4.00 / 4)
Their extreme sensitivity and stupid over reaction to the very reasonable use of the term "filibuster" for what Bunning did is a great sign that the filibuster is becoming unpopular.  When the right starts trying to redefine words in comically ludicrous ways, they're on the run.

Bunning's stunt could end up doing more to kill the filibuster than anything the netroots could have done.


I found Scheer's take (0.00 / 0)
http://www.truthdig.com/report...

interesting, although a bit soft on Bunning who seems to be a real shit under whatever veneer.


Unanimous consent (0.00 / 0)
Could you explain why Red State and others are complaining that Reid should have simply asked for a vote rather than requesting unanimous consent?  

See: http://www.redstate.com/erick/...

The logic is stupid, but I was wondering whether any of the information underlying Erickson's point is correct.  I've seen nothing anywhere to suggest that it is.


yes, Erickson is wrong (0.00 / 0)
Ending debate is spelled out in Rule 22.  That's cloture.  It is not as simple as "asking for a vote."  It's either unanimous consent (which Bunning was denying) or spend 2 full days to wait for the cloture vote, then another day before the vote could be held.


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