NY Times Addresses Senators in Need of a Spine

Read today's New York Times editorial on the Alito nomination. Excerpts:

Judge Samuel Alito Jr., whose entire history suggests that he holds extreme views about the expansive powers of the presidency and the limited role of Congress, will almost certainly be a Supreme Court justice soon. His elevation will come courtesy of a president whose grandiose vision of his own powers threatens to undermine the nation's basic philosophy of government — and a Senate that seems eager to cooperate by rolling over and playing dead.

It is hard to imagine a moment when it would be more appropriate for senators to fight for a principle. Even a losing battle would draw the public's attention to the import of this nomination.

...A filibuster is a radical tool. It's easy to see why Democrats are frightened of it. But from our perspective, there are some things far more frightening. One of them is Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court.

Call Senator Bingaman, who has not yet indicated whether he will vote yes or no on Alito's nomination. It's being reported that Senator Kerry and others are still trying to muster other Dems to filibuster. You know what to do.

11:15 AM Update: Terry Brunner of Senator Bingaman's staff reports that the Senator will vote no on Alito. When asked whether Bingaman supports a filibuster, Terry responded that, unfortunately, they don't have the 40 votes needed for one. No word on whether the Senator would support one.