Amazing...in these polarized, partisan times, to see a group of adults in the Senate sending the unruly brats to their rooms for a change. One of those mature, sane adults, of course, is Virginia's own John Warner, seen in this photo (by Joe Raedle /Getty Images) walking with John McCain to a news conference announcing a deal avoiding the "nuclear option." According to MSNBC, "the agreement would clear the way for yes or no votes on some of Bush?s nominees but make no guarantee." In addition, "Republicans agreed not to support an attempt to strip Democrats of their right to block votes."
Just for the record, we would like to publicly thank Senator John Warner of Virginia for his courageous, principled stand and tireless efforts in reaching a compromise on this issue. Warner's defense of the Senate's traditions against a full-fledged assault by right-wing extremists like that other Virginia Senator, George Allen, has won him this Democrat's eternal gratitude. Combined with Warner's opposition to convicted felon Oliver North in the 1994 Senate race, I might even consider voting for him in 2008.
On second thought, maybe I wouldn't go that far, given Warner's conservative voting record and his apparent support for Jerry Kilgore. Still, this is a great moment for Virginia's senior Senator, and a big defeat for Bill Frist.
By the way, the two-page memorandum of agreement averting the "nuclear option" specifically said that it was ?based upon mutual trust and confidence.? Imagine Jerry Kilgore or George Allen ever agreeing to such a bipartisan deal, or eliciting "mutual trust" from anyone outside the right wing of the Republican Party? Exactly, you can't imagine it, because these guys are as partisan as they come.
That's why we say, "Thank you John Warner." Today, you've made Virginia -- the home state of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson -- proud. Now, if you would just help rid us of George Allen and Jerry Kilgore, we'll be eternally grateful.