I think DeWine is up for reelection in 06. I also think he got the message.

I think you underestimate the value of what the "RINOs" did. By making the compromise, they set the GOP up to go nuclear - if need be - with less public backlash. Because of that compromise, RINOs like me are now like, "hell yeah, pull the trigger on those obstructionist bastards if they fillibuster."

Or, alternately, put the Dems in their place w/o having to go nuclear.

I was ready for Carolinians to abort Edwards for his mini-McCain behavior but lately he's gotten the message. I was especially pleased to see him stand up against the $250 million Alaskan bridge. I wish all my senators had done the same. Brit Hume or Chris Wallace need to get some Republican senators like Liz Dole on their show to explain why they couldn't cut any pork to pay for New Orleans.

THIS is why I was always a member of the Coalition of the Chillin', as some of the good folks over at RedState dubbed it. Graham and DeWine have always been a bit flakey, IMHO, but I knew that when push came to shove they, along with McCain (who has to pay the piper SOMEDAY if he wants to run in '08) and Warner, would push the Big Red Button if necessary.

Oh, and Ben Nelson (D-NE) also praised Alito today. Done deal, boys and girls.

And now: the John Paul Stevens Deathwatch.

No crap, Jeff B. Did you see Stevens swearing in Roberts? Dead man walkin'!

If Stevens retires (or dies - he's what, 85?), the moonbats will freak. Three, count them, three Supremes appointed by Chimpy McSmirkerer.

That will be fun.

Stevens will not retire with a republican in the whitehouse. For he, too, is a moonbat.

May he denotnate right in the middle of the senate or right where TED KENNEDY will be sitting

HEY! That Graham feller is MY Senator! Oh, wait, that should embarass me... Never mind, sorry...

I'm afraid this is why Reid pulled that closed session stunt, and there will be more to come soon: by being deliberately antagonistic, the Dems are preparing the ground for the media to spin the Constitutional option -- when it comes -- as petty partisan payback rather than a matter of constitutional principle.

Let me pose a dangerous question. Suppose Stevens or one of the other left-wing justices shuffles off the mortal coil. Would it then be okay for Bush to appoint someone less conservative like Gonzales or... Gonzales? The court would still be left, on balance, more conservative.

Suppose Stevens or one of the other left-wing justices shuffles off the mortal coil. Would it then be okay for Bush to appoint someone less conservative like Gonzales or... Gonzales?

No. His oath was to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States to the best of his ability. His understanding of the Constitution and the consensus of those who elected him preclude the appointment of justices who ignore that document.

Being from SC, I ripped Graham a new one on my blog and in a letter to him for his role in "The Gang." I got a nice three paged typed letter back explaining the action.

I still disagreed with it and him on that issue, but I don't think Lindsey "Vice President" Graham is a RINO. Yeah, he follows "President" McCain too much on some peripheral issues. But as shown by his stance in cutting pork, he is more conservative than RINO and a lot more conservative than many other Republicans. Of course he is not close to being as conservative as SC's other senator - Jim DeMint.

How could the Democrats in the Gang try to justify a fillibuster of a guy who get praise from sources like this?

It's a done deal. He's in.

I'm glad that I'm a little bit older now and know that the threat of a filibuster is way more powerful than, you know, an actual filibuster.

The whole allusion to the LotRFotR is hilarious.

I do think that Peter Jackson was unfair to Faramir and Boromir though. Lets see, the not-too-bright prince, maybe McCain? The sensitive, not quite as strong brother, maybe Nelson?