Two steps forward, one step back in fighting the right

It's hard to know exactly what to think of the Great Senate Compromise and the Return of the Moderates. However, in this situation it is important to remember some things about the context. By we, I mean all Americans who were troubled by the Republican leadership's political attacks on the judiciary and direct attacks on the procedural rights of the minority party in the one place, out of the entire federal government, where it really has any power at all.

The compromise isn't perfect. But one really good thing about it is that seven relatively powerful Republicans said a very loud, formal, public "fuck you" to the religious right. They also specifically stated that it is their opinion that the "advice and consent" clause regarding judicial nominations means that the President should consult with members of the Senate, from both parties, before nominating an individual, and that they thought President Bush should do that in the future.

Let's also remember:

1) what the other side had to say about it. It's true that NARAL sent me emails about how this was a flawed, partial victory that could hurt us in some ways, but let's start off with what Gary Bauer had to say about the compromise:

"This is a sad day for our nation. The desire of millions of Americans to restore balance to our federal courts has been thwarted behind closed doors by 14 senators. Only three of President Bush's appointees are guaranteed an up or down vote under this sell out.

"Under this agreement it is now more likely that radical social change will continue to be forced on the American people by liberal courts committed to same sex marriage, abortion on demand and hostility to religious expression. The Republicans who lent their names to this travesty have undercut their President as well as millions of their most loyal voters. Shame on them all."

2) what Jeremy Posadas had to say about it (forwarding an article in an email, by which I first heard about the compromise):

This is FAR, FAR from perfect, but it preserves the most desperately important things: the right to filibuster itself, and a critical mass of Senators who can block extremist SCOTUS appointees.

3) what Geoffrey Stone had to say about it, which is really smart, I think

4) what the National Association of Manufacturers had to say this week, which suggests that OUR side should be using social issues as a wedge issues:

Some gripe GOP isn't taking care of business

By Jonathan Weisman and Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
The Washington Post

WASHINGTON -- John Engler, the former Republican governor of Michigan who now heads the National Association of Manufacturers, vowed before the November elections to use his trade association's might to back President Bush's judicial nominees. But as the Senate showdown plays out, the business group is delivering a different message: Judges are not its fight.

NAM's decision to sit out the brawl may be indicative of a broader trend. From Wall Street to Main Street, the small-government, pro-business mainstay of the Republican Party appears to be growing disaffected with a party it sees as focused on social issues at its expense.

5) That's it. Enough congratulating ourselves. Now get back to fighting the right some more. Cause there's more coming, lots more.....