The Moose celebrates the good news from Washington. "We are very disappointed with the decision to move these extremist nominees one step closer to confirmation," Ms. Aron said, adding that "it remains to be seen" if Democrats will suffer politically for letting it happen. "There are a number of angry people who care about the future of the judiciary," she said. "Groups on the right sounded even more irate. "Conservatives are going to be outraged over it," said Paul Weyrich, a veteran social conservative organizer and founder of the Free Congress Foundation. "And what do they get for it? This is about the Supreme Court, and the filibuster is still intact for the Supreme Court. This is a big defeat for the Republicans. The Democrats win even though they have got to put a few judges up for confirmation."
At long last, a group of legislators was able to put the interests of the country before those of the narrow ideological, partisan and special interests. While not perfect, the nuclear freeze was a noble achievement of patriotic statesman. An over-reaching majority was at least temporarily prevented from changing the Senate rules and trampling upon the rights of the minority. Call it the patriotic option.
Hopefully, those on the far left and right will have a burr in their saddle this morning. That is the feeling that a decent compromise should produce. This agreement is evidence that a vital center still exists in the U.S. Senate.
This was music to the Moose's ears,
And Dr. Dobson is not pleased with Dr. Frist for not delivering the goods. Perhaps a malpractice suit is in order.
"In a statement, Dr. James C. Dobson, the influential founder of the Christian conservative group Focus on the Family, called the deal "a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats."
If the American people are searching for unifying leadership, they saw it in abundance in the action's of the Moose's old boss, Senator McCain. In a rare moment in recent political history, McCain was uniquely able to forge a bi-partisan group of Senators to put the nation first. It should be a model of how our representatives (or Presidents for that matter) should operate in the future.
The Moose is not struck by irrational exuberance. Surely, Congress will soon return to its adolescent ways. The Bush Administration and their allies in the religious right will impose another divisive fight upon the country. But for one brief shining moment, our leaders acted as statesmen should during wartime.
Let us savor the moment, however fleeting. -- | 
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