Focus on the Family Action Chairman Dr. James C. Dobson today issued the following statement, upon the announcement by members of the U.S. Senate that a "compromise" had been reached on the filibuster issue:

"This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush's nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed. Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Antonin Scalia, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist would never have served on the U. S. Supreme Court if this agreement had been in place during their confirmations. The unconstitutional filibuster survives in the arsenal of Senate liberals.

"We are grateful to Majority Leader Frist for courageously fighting to defend the vital principle of basic fairness. That principle has now gone down to defeat. We share the disappointment, outrage and sense of abandonment felt by millions of conservative Americans who helped put Republicans in power last November. I am certain that these voters will remember both Democrats and Republicans who betrayed their trust."

If the wingers are this mad, I suppose it's a win for the good guys. I've also heard that, according to the compromise, of the 3 nominees that will pass cloture (Owen, Brown & Myers) and have up or down votes, one will be voted down. I'm guessing it's going to be Brown because she's the most egregious ultraconservative activist and would otherwis be headed to the influential 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in DC, but we'll see.

I'm not totally happy with the outcome here, but that's the nature of compromise. What I am happy about is that the center held on this explosive issue. I'm curious what will come of it, whether or not these 14 Senators, moderate Republicans and Democrats, are going to be able to stick together and control the debate in the Senate. If they can, it will be an amazing feat, keeping extremism on both sides at bay, something great for the country.

The problem is that the psycho wing of the Republican party is already calling for the scalps of John McCain(AZ), Mike DeWine(OH) and Lindsey Graham(SC). The "base" of the party feels betrayed. Radical cleric Dobson has even gone after Trent Lott. I wonder how long these divisive attacks can continue before the party splinters. Hopefully not too long.