Attack on filibuster ("nuclear option") is an Attack on the time-tested system of government of the United States

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45149-2005Mar17.html
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The GOP claim, asserted in speeches, articles and interviews, is that filibusters against judicial nominees are unprecedented.
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Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) told his panel this month
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filibuster being employed for the first time
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Such claims, however, are at odds with the record of the successful 1968 GOP-led filibuster against President Lyndon B. Johnson's nomination of Abe Fortas to be chief justice of the United States
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The required number of votes to halt a filibuster then was 67; filibusters can be halted now by 60 of the Senate's 100 members.
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Frist and others who now threaten to ban filibusters of judicial nominees
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are trying to provoke a change that isn't defensible through history
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45149-2005Mar17.html



http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4575047
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the use of the filibuster to delay or block legislation (or a nomination) "has a long history.
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The term filibuster
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became popular in the 1850s
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In 1841, when the Democratic minority hoped to block a bank bill promoted by Henry Clay, Clay threatened to change Senate rules to allow the majority to close debate
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The record for the longest individual speech goes to South Carolina's J. Strom Thurmond, who filibustered for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957.
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http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4575047



ShalomReport@shalomctr.org wrote:Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 18:19:03 -0700 (PDT)
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Why not let a bare "majority" of Senators confirm judges? These judges will sit for 20, 30, years.

So what could be temporary Hard Right Congressional/ Presidential power -- reversible in elections -- would instead be enshrined for two generations in the courts.
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ShalomReport@shalomctr.org wrote:Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 18:19:03 -0700 (PDT)



http://www.npr.org/takingissue/20050324_takingissue_judicial.html
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"The one place where minority voices are still heard is the Senate. It must be allowed to debate, to delay, and yes, even to obstruct."

Ross K. Baker is a professor of political science at Rutgers University and the author of several books on Congress.
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http://www.npr.org/takingissue/20050324_takingissue_judicial.html