Filibuster Central

Posted by Deanna Zandt at 11:05 AM on January 27, 2006.

This morning, there was a flurry of filibuster activity in my email inbox, so I'm presenting you with a roundup of all the places you can take action today and Monday to push the filibuster further along. Have an action call not listed here? Leave it in the comments and we'll add it to the post.

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UPDATE: Joshua Holland has a list of Senators (plus their phone numbers) over in The Mix who still need hounding. We're coming closer, folks! Keep up the pressure! Plus, this message from Democrats.com:

... [E]ven as Karl Rove was doing his dirty work, progressive activists like you were calling your Senators urging them to support John Kerry's filibuster.

And one by one, Democratic Senators began to turn around. http://democrats.com/alito-48

At the start of the day, only Dick Durbin and Debbie Stabenow supported Kerry and Kennedy. Just before noon, Hillary Clinton's office called to say she supported us. Then Harry Reid came on board, along with Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, Ron Wyden, Chris Dodd, and (I think) Chuck Schumer.

Most importantly, we even picked up Dianne Feinstein, who just yesterday said she opposed a filibuster.

That's 12 votes for a filibuster - and exactly 12 more votes than we had two days ago!

Read more and take action here.

Planned Parenthood has weighed in: "Today is the day. Earlier this week, we told you much of what this movement has fought for in the 33 years since Roe v. Wade was decided comes down to the next few days. Thanks to your calls and letters this week, senators have continued the fight over Alito with renewed vigor. We now have a chance to win. This is the last chance to stop Alito's confirmation — send a note to your senator now!"

Truer words were never spoken: artist Jim Constanzo said, "I can't believe that I'm forwarding something from 'count every vote' John Kerry, but this is such an important issue." Get involved with Kerry's end of the filibuster here: http://www.johnkerry.com/action/filibuster

The Young Turks have decided to keep their television show live on the air until the Democrats get 41 senators to filibuster. Show them some on-air support here.

Act For Change has new hope for the filibuster: "The vote to cut off debate -- referred to as a cloture vote -- has been set for Monday January 30th at 4:30 PM eastern time. Your Senator is one of the key individuals who needs to hear overwhelmingly from their constituents that the American public does not want a radically right-wing member judge replacing moderate Sandra Day O'Connor. Call the Capitol switchboard right now at 202-225-3121. Ask to be connected to one of your senators' offices, and tell them to support the filibuster."

Via BlondeSense: "Go to SavetheCourt.org, scroll down to the petition. It's quite simple to fill out. We've got to give Kerry, Kennedy, et al the support that they so desperately need by contacting those other senators who need a spinal adjustment."

John Nichols speaks on our duty to filibuster Alito: "No one runs for the U.S. Senate on the slogan: 'Elect me and I will maintain the status quo.'"

Author Leslie Savan forwarded me the call from Democrats.com: "Senate offices will be closed this weekend, so TODAY WE MUST CALL EVERY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO DEMAND SUPPORT FOR THE FILIBUSTER. And we must call them all again MONDAY. http://democrats.com/alito-48"

MoveOn.org has their take here: "To successfully block the nomination, 41 senators must join the Democratic filibuster. Most Republicans and a few conservative Democrats have already pledged to vote for Alito, so getting to 41 won't be easy. Every single Democrat could end up casting the last crucial vote—and this is the moment for us to weigh in."

Rapid Response sent out a link to easily find your Senators' phone numbers: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Deanna Zandt is a contributing editor at AlterNet.