Media adopts false claim that "nuclear option" is a Democratic term

Major media outlets have recently miscast the term "nuclear option" as a creation of Senate Democrats. These include even National Public Radio (NPR), the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times, all of which had previously reported accurately that it was Senate Republicans who originated the term.

As several weblogs have noted, the term "nuclear option" -- referring to the Republican-proposed Senate rule change that would prohibit filibusters of judicial nominations -- was coined by one of its leading advocates, Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS). But since Republican strategists judged the term "nuclear option" to be a liability, they have urged Senate Republicans to adopt the term "constitutional option." Many in the media have complied with the Senate Republicans' shift in terminology and repeated their attribution of the term "nuclear option" to the Democrats.

And keep in mind that a slight majority of Americans are finally showing that they support the Republicans on this. Gonna Be interesting.

WASHINGTON - Republicans took a step Thursday toward a Senate confrontation over filibusters of President Bush’s judicial nominees by advancing two of the White House’s favored — and most controversial — candidates for prospective votes.

But private Republican polling shows scant support for a plan to stop minority Democrats from blocking such nominees, officials said Thursday.

By sending Texas judge Priscilla Owen and California judge Janice Rogers Brown to the full Senate for confirmation, GOP senators now have two of the candidates they want to use to challenge the Democrats’ threat to filibuster U.S. appeals courts candidates. “We have now the vehicle. We have two qualified women. They have met every test,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.

Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a recent survey taken for Senate Republicans showed 37 percent support for the GOP plan to deny Democrats the ability to filibuster judicial nominees, while 51 percent oppose.

There still seems to be some that are a tad bit uncomfortable with this, John. 

However, new polls have come out saying differently. 

Post/ABC News poll asked, "Would you support or oppose changing Senate rules to make it easier for the Republicans to confirm Bush's judicial nominees?"

To that, 66 percent said no. If you doubt whether the framing of a poll question can influence the outcome, consider this: When a Republican poll said, "Even if they disagree with a judge, Senate Democrats should at least allow the President's nominations to be voted on," 81 percent said they agreed.

Perhaps you can show us a new, believable poll that shows a drastic change?

*Seeing dkward running to some conservative web site (perhaps Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter?) to get this information!*   

Here is what I received from a CNN email; I clicked on that link and I went here.

Seems that there are 4  lawmakers that are still feeling for their constituency's thought and feelings on this matter.

"still feeling for their constituency's" ???????? You just made that up and convinced yourself it was a given fact, all in one step.    MARK

"We feel that there are at least four Republican senators who feel as we do and we feel that there are several who are making up their minds at the last moment," said Durbin, D-Illinois. "It is a critical question and it's one that goes to constitutional values."