Santorum reads nuke polls, applies the brakes
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), a leading advocate of the “nuclear option” to end the Democrats’ filibuster of judicial nominees, is privately arguing for a delay in the face of adverse internal party polls.
Details of the polling numbers remain under wraps, but Santorum and other Senate sources concede that, while a majority of Americans oppose the filibuster, the figures show that most also accept the Democratic message that Republicans are trying to destroy the tradition of debate in the Senate.
The Republicans are keeping the “nuclear” poll numbers secret, whereas they have often in the past been keen to release internal survey results that favor the party. David Winston, head of the Winston Group, which conducts Senate GOP polls, did return phone calls seeking comment.
Confirming public disquiet over the “nuclear” or “constitutional” option, Santorum said, “Our polling shows that.” But, he added, public thinking had been muddied by what he called false Democratic arguments that checks and balances were being eroded.
Excuse me, Senator gutless, who controls the US Senate? Does the GOP or does public opinion. If we are going to be governed my polls then why do we need Congressman or Senators. We could just have a super computer poll on an issue and then make laws from the polling. Could you imagine the money we could save on campaigns alone!
Sometimes political leaders must do things that are unpopular. Do you think George Washington took a public opinion poll at Valley Forge? We need Senators who will stand up and do what is right no matter what the polls say.
To all the GOP Senators and staffers out there I have one message for you today. The GOP is in charge of the Senate and the House act like it!
