Salazar Deeply Conflicted on Gonzales [View All]

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From DailyKos

Freshman Salazar Deeply Conflicted Over Attorney General


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In the weeks leading up to Thursday's vote on the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales to be attorney general, freshman Sen. Ken Salazar was squeezed on all sides.

The Colorado Democrat was under pressure to stand with colleagues in his party, many of whom spoke out passionately against the nomination. At the same time, Salazar had to be mindful of the wishes of his mostly conservative constituents -- and his loyalty to another Hispanic.

Ultimately, after weighing those competing interests, Salazar joined just five of his Democratic colleagues in voting for Gonzales....

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Even as Salazar recorded his support, he took pains to assure Senate Democrats that he was not abandoning them. In a floor speech Thursday, Salazar defended Democrats who opposed the nominee, saying they were exercising their constitutional duty.

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http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/2/4/04029/21602