A vote against a filibuster is same as a vote for Alito....

[kentuck]

For those moderate, "pro-choice" Repubs that think they can maintain their support from women's groups and others by voting against Alito on the floor but will vote to not filibuster his nomination. If they vote to let him against the filibuster, they are in effect, voting Alito onto the Supreme Court. They cannot talk their way around that fact. Several Republicans are in that very boat. Senators Specter, Chaffee, Collins, and Snowe have consistently voted for "pro-choice". If they vote against a filibuster, they will have forfeited that support in the future. Period.

[Birthmark]

1. Honestly

I don't think it makes much difference. Bush already ignores the law and the courts. Imo, whom he ignores is irrelevant. Welcome to monarchy, er, the unitary president.

[stray cat]

2. My understanding is the Repubs are united in voting for Alito

They are standing as a group in favor of his appointment. No way will any of them support a filibuster

[Neil Lisst]

3. The Pubs neutered Specter when they let him keep his chair.

Inside the beltway, the number one consideration is always ME, ME, ME!!

Sphincter sold out. I don't know about Snowe, Collins and Chaffee. If we get them, we have a shot at holding enough votes to beat cloture.

[kentuck]

4. Of course, if the Dems were united, we wouldn't need them at all...

But that's another story. We let them vote their conscience without any negative consequence.

[Neil Lisst]

5. Not me. I will excuse Nelson because of his constituency, but ...

... but not any Senator who isn't Nelson.

I'm not happy about Lautenberg, but not much we can do about that.

[kentuck]

6. Bob Kerry had the same seat as Nelson....

and I doubt he would have felt he had to vote for Alito...

[Neil Lisst]

7. Bob Kerrey held the seat a long time ago.

And he was a lot more popular than Nelson, and a lot safer in terms of his seat.

[kentuck]

8. It was still a Republican state...

and why do you think Kerry was more popular?

[Neil Lisst]

9. Because I have spent a lot time working senate campaigns.

particularly in the midwest

[kentuck]

11. OK..

But my wife is from Nebraska.. :)

[Neil Lisst]

13. then she should be able to confirm what I've said

Kerrey (it has two "e's") was also governor.

Ben Nelson is no Bob Kerrey.

I revised my earlier response, since it was a tad officious.

I've worked with the SDCC on many senate races.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. So if there is no vote on a filibuster, does that mean that all Democrats

voted for him?

[kentuck]

12. Don't sing your song if you don't know the words...

In other words, if we don't have enough Senators to hld a filibuster, it would be senseless to try to filibuster. They would shut down the debate with 60 votes and that would be the end of the story. So it depends on the numbers.

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. Even if there isn't 39 votes, Democrats can still call for a roll call

vote on ending debate. It is usually done on a voice vote, but any Senator can call for an actual roll call voted to show where everyone stands.