Kaine (D-VA), Bennet (CO), Manchin (WV), Leahy won't block Gorsuch: please call them!

[sharedvalues]

Last edited Tue Mar 28, 2017, 12:27 AM - Edit history (4)

[Updated from recent politico article]
http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/gorsuch-supreme-court-filibuster-nuclear-236563

“I’ve always been for cloture,” Manchin told Politico when asked whether he would vote to advance Gorsuch’s nomination, even if he ultimately opposes him. “I’ve always been, basically, ‘I’m not going to filibuster.’”

But several other Democrats on Monday were much less definitive.

Sen. Jon Tester of Montana said he is “still undecided,” as did Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said he’s continuing to study Gorsuch’s record and that the threat of the nuclear option wouldn’t influence his choice. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who like Nelson voted to break the filibuster on Alito, said Gorsuch’s stance on privacy rights would be a central factor in her still-unmade decision on confirmation.

“I’m reviewing the hearings,” said Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who is facing parochial pressure to back Gorsuch because the judge hails from Denver.

Even Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who told a local reporter in Vermont over the weekend that he is “not inclined to filibuster,” quickly walked that back in a series of tweets Monday amid a flurry of constituent calls organized by liberal groups. The former Judiciary Committee chairman said Gorsuch will be blocked unless the judge “provides real answers” to written questions for the record. Those written responses from Gorsuch are expected back to the committee sometime midweek.

Please call, especially if you are from one of those states!
Kaine, VA
Bennet, CO
Manchin, WV: DC: [phone]; Morgantown, [phone]

[dalton99a]

1. W.T.F.

[sharedvalues]

2. If you know VT Indivisible groups - please pass this message along

[Justice]

3. Leahy tweeted not supporting as of now

Sen. Patrick Leahy ‏Verified account @SenatorLeahy 12h12 hours ago

As of now I do not believe I can support Judge Gorsuch. He did not answer basic Qs & was selected by extreme interest groups w an agenda

[sharedvalues]

4. Yes but he said "not inclined to support a filibuster" - that's the important part

[Princess Turandot]

5. FYI The Blaze is Glenn Beck's rightwing website...

It's a bad choice for news.

Here's the link to the Vt Digger article which they based their article on: https://vtdigger.org/2017/03/27/leahy-will-not-vote-trumps-supreme-court-nominee/ The link was available in the Blaze's content. Note that their article is titled 'Leahy will not vote for Trump’s Supreme Court nominee', not the inflammatory one used by the Blaze. They also do not suggest that Leahy's view on the filibuster will derail Schumer's plan to employ it.

The most senior senator, Leahy retains a vision for the chamber as one that promotes bipartisanship and compromise. Leahy has long expressed concern about the politicization of judicial nominees, and he does not support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to filibuster the Gorsuch nomination, which would effectively block a full Senate vote.

“I am not inclined to filibuster, even though I’m not inclined to vote for him,” Leahy said.

[sharedvalues]

6. Yup - changed link to The Hill. Point taken. Should call Leahy

[sharedvalues]

7. Politico's updated current status

[Equinox Moon]

8. Unbelievable!

Yes, we all need to be calling tomorrow.

[fun n serious]

9. I am very disappointed in these Dems.

So frustrating!!!

[uponit7771]

11. +1

[bettyellen]

10. Kick

[rogue emissary]

12. Tim Kaine: Decides to oppose Gorsuch nomination. I just post in LBN.

Now I have to call and thank him, which I do gladly.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. Kaine is now a nay!

Bennet - hmm . . .

Manchin - not surprised. If I had to sacrifice ONE Democratic Senator - it would be him. He's only with us on labor and nothing else.

[diva77]

14. Feinstein's office (as of yesterday) said she has not announced her decision. Make those calls!!

FEINSTEIN
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe

Los Angeles
11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

331 Hart Senate Office Building. Washington, D.C. 20510. Phone: [phone]. Fax: [phone].

San Francisco
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

San Diego
880 Front Street, Suite 4236
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Fresno
2500 Tulare Street, Suite 4290
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[sharedvalues]

15. Call Feinstein! Good for Kaine.

[hollowdweller]

16. A bunch of people at a town hall confronted Manchin on this

I was there and he basically said since he would be replacing Scalia that dems should "save their fire" for the next appt. which could tip the balance.

However really you know, I mean I would have been really happy if Dems would have held up Clarence Thomas's nomination till Clinton won.

[sharedvalues]

17. Manchin is a fool.

If he votes to confirm Gorsuch, The GOP will just say that Garland is a non-issue for the next nomination.

BUT GARLAND IS THE PRINCIPAL ISSUE.

We need to make a stand here against this stolen seat.