Judicial Standoff: Frist on the Hot Seat -- and on the Air
by Chad Groening and Jody Brown
April 21, 2005
(AgapePress) - A pro-family activist and former presidential candidate believes when the chips are down, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will take the necessary steps to put an end to the Democrats' filibustering of President Bush's judicial nominees.
In recent weeks, the majority leader has seemed to soften his rhetoric about using the constitutional option to change Senate rules to allow a simple majority the ability to end a filibuster on judicial appointments. Gary Bauer of American Values believes the Tennessee senator is concerned about a handful of Republican moderates who are looking for an excuse to not vote the right way.
"Senator Frist can't look too anxious to them in having this confrontation, but I believe in the next few weeks, before this month is over, we will in fact see that vote take place, and I think we've got a reasonably good chance of narrowly winning it," Bauer predicts.
[Photo compliments of American Values]
Gary Bauer
Bauer is convinced Frist will do the right thing. "I actually have confidence that Senator Frist will do the right thing. I think what we have to keep in mind is that, when he speaks, he's got two audiences. One is the general public. The other audience is a handful of Republican moderates that would really rather not have this vote and are looking for an excuse to not vote the right way."
According to Bauer, complicating the mix is Frist's aspirations for his political future. "Senator Frist is interested in the White House," he says, "and I think he knows the only chance he's got [to attain that goal] is if he is clearly seen by the grassroots as somebody who will take on the liberal establishment here in Washington, DC."
Dems Angry Over Simulcast
Frist is getting flak from Democrats on Capitol Hill for his plan to appear on a telecast this weekend called Justice Sunday, which will feature several prominent speakers who will urge a halt to the use of filibusters against Bush nominees who have deeply held religious convictions. Joining Frist on the platform in Louisville, Kentucky, will be Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Al Mohler, and Chuck Colson.
According to Family News In Focus, Senate Democrats are accusing the majority leader of "inappropriately mixing politics and faith," being involved with "ultra-right-wing crackpots," and focusing on filibusters that oppose nominees who are "three steps to the right of Attila the Hun." Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, says the intimidation being aimed at Senator Frist is "altogether expected."
One of those Democrats is Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor, who says he has a message for evangelical Christians: Don't let political activism "make the followers of Jesus Christ just another interest group in this country." Pryor, who describes himself as an evangelical, says some Christian groups are letting politics taint their religious mission in their support for conservative judicial nominees -- and he says Justice Sunday is a good example. "It's presumptuous for them to think they represent all Christians," he says.
As for the Democrats' reaction to Frist's involvement in the Sunday evening simulcast, Focus on the Family's John Wilson says it demonstrates hypocrisy. He recalls statements made by the Democratic candidate in the most recent presidential election.
"It's okay for John Kerry to talk about his service as an altar boy and how faith is important to him, and 'faith without works is dead' -- but it's not okay for Republicans to do it," Wilson observes, adding that Frist is merely speaking to his constituents. "People who elected him are more likely to be of the religious right than they are of the religious left."
A spokesman for the Family Research Council, which is coordinating Justice Sunday, says Democratic outrage over Frist is backfiring. Pat Truman says it is "outraging many Christians" and generating audience interest "faster than you can believe." Trueman adds that Senator Frist is not deterred by his opponents' criticism.
Churches across the nation are signing to receive the simulcast, which is scheduled for broadcast from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time on April 24.
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