Republican Watch

I find this amazing:

As Senate Democrats prepare to push a no confidence vote on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales forward, a Democratic aide in the Senate said the party did not expect to reach the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture on a likely Republican filibuster to allow an up or down vote on the measure.

"We're working under the assumption that we'll get our side and none of the Republicans," the Senate Democratic staff member told RAW STORY Monday morning. "I'm almost certain it will be a party line vote."

Olympia Snowe? Susan Collins? Chuck Hagel? Outraged calls for resignation? They're all pretty brave as long there's no real record of their intent. It's simply astounding that this close to 2008, and with Bush's poll ratings down the drain that Republicans continue to following tribal custom. I guess it's a "live by the sword die by the sword" situation.

Not that it matters. I've predicted all along that Bush will keep Gonzales no matter what Congress does. It would take an impeachment to remove him and it's clear that Dems just don't have the votes. Bush's protection racket stays in place.

Going forward, it's going to be very important for Democratic voters to remember how Congress works. The fact that Dems have a majority does not automatically translate into the ability to actually do anything. The benefit of 2006 is the ability to 1) investigate (and publicize), 2) moderate nominees and 3) stop further nutbar legislation. While I think that the Democrats caving on the Iraq war funding bill has hurt their momentum, I can understand what they're up against in terms of Congressional Republicans. They have very thick heads. It will take a stronger majority and a louder voice by American's for change to actually do something progressive. The work to build a progressive majority must continue along this vein. To count on Republican "moderates" is a fool's game.

Update: Seven Republicans voted to move no-confidence forward. As usual, the stupid ass boltin' Joe Lieberman voted with Republicans. I really really really wish the guy would leave the party. He's an embarrassment.

I believe this issue is now dead. Everyone seems to agree Gonzales should go. Republicans won't go on the record. Bush won't move him out. Dems can't even get a non-binding resolution of no-confidence past a filibuster much less move to impeach him. What's left? On the good side, politically, it's probably good he stays to continue making mistakes and being in office while revelations come out. But yet another institution, the Federal justice system, will continue to be a shambles and likely get even worse.

Update II: Here's the list of Republicans who did vote for the resolution: Coleman, Collins, Hagel, Smith, Snowe, Specter, Sununu. Simply not enough.