Byrd to vote for Alito

[hang a left]

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer 32 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee
Samuel Alito, whose confirmation seems certain in the Republican-run Senate, padded his modest Democratic support Thursday with endorsements by Sens. Robert Byrd and Tim Johnson.


Alito already was assured the votes of at least 51 of the 55 Republicans in the 100-member chamber — enough to be put over the top — when West Virginia's Byrd and Johnson of South Dakota joined Nebraska's Ben Nelson in saying they'll vote yes.

Alito would become the nation's 110th justice, replacing retiring Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor. Throughout her years on the high court, she often has been a key fifth vote on contentious social issues including abortion, affirmative action and the death penalty.

"I am troubled by Judge Alito's apparent views on matters such as executive power, his past opposition to the principle of one person, one vote, and his narrow interpretation of certain civil rights laws," Johnson said. "Even so, I cannot accept an argument that his views are so radical that the Senate is justified in denying his confirmation."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060126/ap_on_go_su_co/alito_60

[berner59]

1. booooooooooooooooooo.....

What happened to him???

[hang a left]

2. I am going to be sick

[hang a left]

3. Who here is from West Virginia???

[Dora]

4. Byrd's dirty.

Somebody's got something on him.

[Marnieworld]

5. And to think I was going to name a parrot after him

I am ever so pissed.:mad:

[tsuki]

6. Byrd, I just can't believe it. After CAPS came out, I thought that would

be it.

Alito scares me. He's absolutely blank.

[benburch]

7. Byrd is OVER.

This Alito vote is his legacy. Nothing else he ever did will matter any more.

[radio4progressives]

17. well, unfortunately Barak Obama helped raise $800,000 for Byrd's

re-election.

[benburch]

21. Then we'll raise a million. nt

[stillcool]

8. Unfriggingbelievable...

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[BOHICA06]

9. Byrd knows what it is like to be ....

pilloried for past affiliations, particularly by Yankees! ;)

[mattclearing]

12. Nice one.

:D

[mattclearing]

10. Hilarious to see all the Byrd-lovers suddenly realize he's not a liberal.

Welcome back to reality folks.

[Marnieworld]

15. It's not about liberalism

It's about cherishing the Constitution. No one has established a reputation for being a Constitutional expert and champion like Byrd has, certainly after these dark 5 years of our history.

Alito nomination isn't about conservatism vs. liberalism it's about The intent of the Constitution to have 3 equal branches of govt with distinct purposes. If Bush is above the law and the courts can't check him and if he can make law with his signing statements the Constitution is nullified. That's why I am so shocked at his vote. IIRC he voted for Roberts and it didn't throw me. But Alito? Mr. Unitary executive theory? I just can't understand it.

[radio4progressives]

16. Exactly. This nominee isn't about Liberal vs. Conservatives

This is about service to ALL AMERICANS.

It's about the preservation of our Constitution for all of America.

Senator Byrd, a fierce defender of the Constitution has just nailed the coffin to that very document, and that indeed is shocking.

[mattclearing]

18. I think it's more likely that he is simply passing on the beliefs of his

constituents. I'm sure Alito polls well in West Virginia.

[malaise]

11. I thought I saw that Johnson was voting no

on C-Span a while ago. Byrd is voting for him.

[LSK]

13. he just said it on CSPAN

[cali]

14. Ahh,

I knew exactly how this was going to go 'round these parts. From heroic elder statesman to traitor in a nanosecond. Can't say I'm surprised. So everything that Byrd's done that we admired, now counts for nothing?

[Moochy]

19. Revisionist Present

Yeah people are not at all justified in expressing their frustration at the continued lack of party cohesiveness in light of what we the people feel is a critical juncture in the make up of the supreme court.

What does your magic eight ball say about Alito's nomination?

[BOHICA06]

20. Imagine ... if confirmation is inevitable

...why would you antagonize a sure thing on the SC if you or your State might bring cases before it? If the wind farm on Cape Code ever works its way to the USSC - do you think Roberts or Alito will give Ted's "friend of the court" brief the time of day???? Keep your powder dry and don't waste ammunition shooting at vapors.