RNC Response to John Kerry's call for a filibuster of Judge Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court

"To even suggest a filibuster against a nominee as qualified as Judge Alito reflects a philosophy so out of touch that it's bordering on reckless. The judicial confirmation process, particularly one for the nation's highest court, should be insulated from such thoughtless bomb throwing in an effort to remain relevant. One can't help but wonder if the consummate candidate was for Judge Alito, before he was against him."

-Tracey Schmitt, RNC Press Secretary

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA) CALLS IN

ALITO FILIBUSTER FROM SWITZERLAND

"Sen. John Kerry Has Decided To Support A Filibuster To Block The Nomination Of Judge Samuel Alito To The Supreme Court, CNN's Congressional Correspondent Ed Henry Reported Thursday. Kerry, In Davos, Switzerland, To Attend The World Economic Forum, Was Marshaling Support In Phone Calls During The Day, Henry Said." ("Sen. Kerry Calls For Filibuster Of Alito," CNN.com, 1/26/06)

Recent GQ Article Highlighted Dems' Frustration With Sen. John Kerry (D-MA):

"[A]s Another Frustrated Senior Democratic Strategist Puts It, 'Congressional Democrats Are Spending An Awful Lot Of Time Trying To Figure Out How To Maneuver Around [Kerry]. They Want Some New Ground. They Want The Basis For A New Conversation. And Kerry's Very Much Stuck Reverse. It Causes A Lot Of Resentment.'" (Michael Crowley, "John Kerry Has Fallen...And Keeps Getting Up," GQ Website, Http://Men.Style.Com/Gq/Features/Landing?Id=Content_4129, Accessed 1/18/06)

"Normally, He Would Be The Titular Head Of The Opposition, But He's Not, So We Have This Kind Of Ten-Headed Monster That's Out There," Says Mike McCurry, A Former Clinton Press Secretary And Senior Adviser To Kerry In The Late Days Of His Campaign. McCurry, Who Remains Fond Of Kerry, Says Of Him (And Of The Various Other Democrats Who Seem To Be Already Running For President): "People Have To Stop Freelancing. The Reason People Think Democrats Have Nothing To Say Is That We Have Fifty People Saying Fifty Different Things." (Michael Crowley, "John Kerry Has Fallen...And Keeps Getting Up," GQ Website, http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_4129, Accessed 1/18/06)

Democrat Senators Who Have Ruled Out A Filibuster After Judge Samuel A. Alito's Confirmation Hearing:

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV): "He Struck Me As A Man Of His Word, And I Intend To Vote For Him." (Sen. Robert Byrd, Congressional Record, 1/26/06)

• Byrd: "There Is Not Going To Be Any Filibuster Against Alito." (Sen. Robert Byrd, Congressional Record, 12/12/05, p. S13430)

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD): "Said ... That He Will Vote For Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito, Making Him The Second Democrat To Support The Judge." (Mary Clare Jalonick, "Democratic Senator Tim Johnson Will Vote For Alito," The Associated Press, 1/26/05)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA): "Because We Have Such A Full Plate Of Pressing Issues Before Congress, A Filibuster At This Time Would Be, In My View, Very Counterproductive. It Is Imperative That We Remain Focused On Creating The Tools New Orleans, Louisiana And The Gulf Coast Will Need To Rebuild. ... We Simply Cannot Afford To Bring The Senate To A Halt At A Time When We Need Its Action The Most." (Sen. Mary Landrieu, Press Release, 1/25/06)

• Landrieu: "If Called To Vote For Cloture On Judge Alito's Nomination, I Will Vote Yes. I Will Continue To Consult With Constituents, Groups, Organizations And Colleagues To Decide On My Final Vote. I Do Think It Is Important That We Have An Up Or Down Vote." (Sen. Mary Landrieu, Press Release, 1/25/06)

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR): "Another Of The [Gang Of 14], Democrat Sen. Mark Pryor Of Arkansas, Said He Does Not See Extraordinary Circumstances. 'He Hasn't Heard That There's Going To Be [A Filibuster],' Pryor Spokeswoman Lisa Ackerman Said. 'I Don't Think There's Interest In One.'" (Anne C. Mulkern, "Alito Sails Toward OK," The Denver Post, 1/13/06)

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO): "I Do Not Intend To Join In Any Filibuster Against A Vote On Judge Alito." (Anne Imse, "Salazar: Thomas An 'Abomination,'" Rocky Mountain News [Denver, CO], 1/26/06)

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): "I Do Not See The Likelihood Of A Filibuster To Be Very Candid With You. I Don't See Those Kinds Of Egregious Things Emerging That Would Justify A Filibuster. I Think When It Comes To Filibustering Supreme Court Appointment, You Really Have To Have Something Out There, Whether It's Gross Moral Turptitude Or Something That Comes To The Surface. Now This Is A Man That I Might Disagree With. That Doesn't Mean He Shouldn't Be On The Court." (CBS's "Face The Nation," 1/15/06)

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE): "In Addition To Mrs. Feinstein, Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska Democrat, Has Said He Sees No Justification For A Filibuster." (Charles Hurt, "Key Democrat Disavows Block Of Alito Vote," The Washington Times, 1/16/06)