Good morning . . .
In the aftermath of the "agreement" forced on the leadership of the Senate, it now appears that it has hurt the Republicans more than the Democrats.
Republican Senators are turning away from the leadership of Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) to either vote with Democrats or go around the leader to get a bill through the Senate.
The story of Sen. George Voinivich is well known. After missing most of the meetings of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and not hearing the testimony from John Bolton. Voinivich listens to Democrats whine and complain about Bolton's management style and "abuse" of subordinates. Then Voinivich decides that he cannot support Bolton's nomination as ambassador to the United Nations. On the Senate floor Wednesday Voinivich wept about the nomination and the "failings" of Bolton. Who elected this guy? As noted here several times, Bolton may be a bad boss, but Washington, Chicago, New York, and virtually every major corporation are full of bad bosses. The Senator from Ohio is out of the mainstream and out of control.
Now, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) is encouraging Majority Leader Frist to quickly schedule a vote on the bill that would expand embryonic stem cell research funding by the federal government.
Specter claims that he has the votes to stop a conservative filibuster and enough votes to override the threatened presidential veto.
If Frist refuses to schedule the bill for debate and a vote, Specter says he will attach the measure to other bills that reach the Senate floor.
We have always suspected that Specter would at some point break ranks with the leadership. His ability to control the Senate Judiciary Committee is questionable and his willingness to work closely with Frist and other Republicans leaders is minimal.
With the agreement and several senators breaking ranks and looking toward a presidential future, Frist should give up the leadership of the Senate. It is well known that Frist has presidential aspirations and will not run for re-election in 2006. It is time for a new leader, but under no circumstance can it be Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). McCain also aspires for the presidency, but as Majority Leader, Mc Cain will give control of the Senate agenda to moderates and liberals. This will enable the Democrats to control the Senate without winning elections.
While the Senate leadership is in disarray, a new leader must be carefully chosen before the weak leaderships erodes further support for the president's agenda.
Senators call for a vote on stem cells - The Boston Globe - Boston.com - Washington - News
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Sen Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has placed a "block" on the nomination of John Bolton as ambassador to the UN. Sen. George Voinivich (R-OH) has tearfully pleaded with his colleagues not to vote for Bolton. The Democrats are threatening a filibuster (big surprise) if the Department of State does not provide additional documents requested by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and other Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Dodd has said he is in favor of Bolton, but will filibuster in protest of the administration.
Dodd and Sen. Jose Biden (D-DE) are demanding the State Department turn over to them emails and other documents that would answer whether Mr. Bolton tried to influence intelligence analysts who were working on congressional testimony about Syria's weapons programs.
The State Department has said that they have given to the committee all the documents it plans to supply. Senate Republicans and White House sources say Biden and Dodd are on a fishing expedition.
"We've provided the Senate with the information they need to do their job," said Erin Healy, a White House spokeswoman. "John Bolton testified [before the Foreign Relations Committee] for more than eight hours, responded in writing to many additional questions, and the State Department has worked to provide the Senate with many additional documents as well."
Since filibusters on other presidential nominations are not part of the "agreement" on judicial nominees, it looks like it is business as usual for the Senate Democrats.
Democrats threaten a filibuster on Bolton - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - May 26, 2005
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Now for something completely ridiculous.
A new cable reality show will follow college students through their sex change operations.
"TransGenerations" will premiere in September on the Sundance Channel in partnership with Logo, a new Viacom network aimed at homosexuals.
The eight-week series will document the sexchanges of four university students from campuses across the country.
"This series is a moving portrait of four fascinating people at a dramatic time in their lives. 'TransGenerations' also offers an engaging first-hand look at the current trend on college campuses of confronting gender issues and politics head-on," said Laura Michalchyshyn, executive vice president for programming and marketing at the Sundance Channel.
While it is on cable and the Sundance Channel does not have the exposure of ESPN or the History Channel, shouldn't the FCC get involved with this type of programming?
Reality TV Show to Focus on Sex Change Operations -- 05/25/2005
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More later.
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