WILLisms.com: On Bolton.

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On Bolton.

You should really read today's Wall Street Journal piece on the rife absurdities surrounding Bolton's confirmation, or lack thereof:

...if Mr. Bolton loses so does the President. The U.N. will take it as a sign that it can move ahead with Potemkin reform, while Democrats will be emboldened to take down other nominees. Mr. Bush's appointees will also understand that defending his priorities against the bureaucracy is a bad career choice. If this is how Republicans and the White House are going to fight on judges, they might as well roll over now.

Our thoughts:

Sometimes when watching the Texas Longhorn basketball team this past season, there was just something missing (other than two star players to grades and injuries, respectively). What was really missing was the typical scrappiness, the fight, they had consistently shown over the past few years. As a result, when another team would play ultra-aggressive hit-you-in-the-mouth basketball, the otherwise physical Texas team would wilt like a girls middle school JV squad. If Texas failed to respond to the intensity by its opponent, the Longhorns would almost literally get walked all over en route to a loss. If and when UT's squad finally woke up and played aggressively, it would typically regain control of the game.

Right now, Richard Lugar and some other solid conservative Senate Republicans seem more concerned with playing nice than playing to win. That must change.

It is time to play a little smashmouth, knock-'em-down, drag-'em-out hardball.

Right now, it's still the first half, with plenty of time to re-take control of the game. But if Senate Republicans continue their uninspired, lackadaisical play, it's all over.

We plan much more detailed comment on the Bolton follies after we can shake off some of the hectic "busy-ness" of this week, so stay tuned.

Posted by Will Franklin · 21 April 2005 12:18 PM

Comments

There seems to be no hope that Frist will ever be an effective leader (at least for the GOP). But the real problem is the Senate itself.

It is human nature that when people find themselves in a near paradise they will discard any inconvenient obligations which can interfere with staying there. I do not say everyone will, only that most will.

The Senate takes many decades to change. The term is six years and nearly all are reelected. So the turnover in each election is perhaps five. The new ones arrive and find they have no influence. Still it is a lovely place, the benefits are wonderful, and nothing is unpleasant if you don't disturb the 95% who are sleeping. Relax, your staff is working full time: lying to cover mistakes, and using fog and mirrors to confuse the yokels back home.

The drugs begin to take effect.....

The only solution is term limits.. one term and you are out. Better yet, an amendment to abolish the Senate.

Posted by: Ken at April 21, 2005 02:48 PM

It only seems that Republicans are so affected. Democrats are able to act forcefully.

Posted by: Ralph at April 21, 2005 02:58 PM

Typical orchestration of the way the Dems. work. As long as our country continues to elect these officials like Biden, our country will be subjected to the same rigamaroll over and over! The partisan politics will be a burden on any type of good for our country.

Posted by: Zsa Zsa at April 21, 2005 03:08 PM

Term limits sound good! ... But as long as we continue electing Senators like Kennedy , Biden, Bird etc. that is going to be what happens! That I guess has become par for the course!

Posted by: Tiffany at April 21, 2005 04:51 PM

I wouldn't object to just starting over and cleaning house...

Posted by: trippy at April 21, 2005 04:53 PM

The Dems are equally lulled into inaction. But, first, they are somewhat motivated by being out of power. And also the Dems are pros who stick together come what may.

Dems count on fools like McCain who examine their navel every day and conclude being nice so you can go to parties is what counts. RINOs say things like "gee, someday they might be the majority again so let's be nice now and they will be nice later."

McCain is a perfect example of why so little gets done in the Senate.

Posted by: Ken at April 21, 2005 06:23 PM