The Republicans identified a confirmation team, with a single individual in charge, as soon as the decision was made that Alito would be the candidate. That team was able to commandeer whatever resources it needed, bully whoever needed to be bullied, offer whatever carrots needed to be offered, and use a PR engine to help create an aura of inevitability, keep the truth about his radical views well hidden, think up theatrics to create sentiment in his favor, and belittle any efforts to stop the nomination.

Meanwhile, on our side, some people came forward and took a stand, way too late, while others waffled, couldn't be bothered, or took the opportunity to stab some of their own in the back.

Sometimes I despair. Unless we put together some kind of ready response team with teeth, meaning well funded, with the power to bring waverers into line, we'll keep losing and losing and losing.

And, of course, we also need a media infrastructure dedicated to truth. I've tried my damnedest to convince the powers that be that we need this infrastructure, but they're content to depend on a few think tanks and GOTV efforts--worthy endeavors, to be sure, but just not enough. Just not enough.

When the Democrats think "we can do better" is a war cry, we're in serious, serious trouble.

To let the Democrats who voted for cloture know what you think, use The Cloture 19 Database.

Carolyn Kay
MakeThemAccountable.com