Interesting: Kohl (WI) to skip the vote?

[kpete]

According to his late Friday press release, U.S. Sen. Kohl: Kohl To Listen To Concerns About Medicare Drug Benefit At Monday Roundtable In Milwaukee, issued after Frist's announcement of the cloture schedule, Herb will be hosting a Milwaukee event. If this holds, he's effectively a vote against cloture, at least for the first round.


Who: Senator Herb Kohl, seniors, individuals with disabilities, pharmacists, and advocacy groups

What: Roundtable discussion on the challenges resulting from the implementation of Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit passed by Congress in 2003.

When: Monday, January 30, 2006 9:30 a.m.

Where: Wilson Park Senior Center
2601 W. Howard Ave
Milwaukee, WI

http://wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=53679

[Blue Belle]

1. Could he still have time to get back and vote? n/t

[LittleClarkie]

3. He doesn't have to. An abstain vote is a no vote

And considering he is the more conservative of my two Senators, I will take it.

Remember that we don't need to find the votes, Frist does. He's the one who needs ALL his people in place. No one can abstain.

Kohl will not be a vote in favor of cloture. That is enough for me.

[springsteen4senate]

2. Im sure he will vote...

He was pretty outspoken against SCalito

[Bumblebee]

4. Does not matter -- THEY need 60

[jumpoffdaplanet]

5. Proxy votes

Can't one Senator give their proxy vote to another Senator?

[never cry wolf]

7. I don't think they can do that

I seem to recall they would wheel Strom Thurmond out onto the floor and have one of his aides move his finger whisper into his ear when he should say aye or nay. I am almost positive they have to be present.

[low_phreaq]

6. Anybody know more about Kohl?

Kohl is still listed in the "Clueless Caucus" section here:
http://www.democrats.com/alito-48
They have nobody in the "Plan to be Absent" section.

Also this statement from the Feingold article:
"Some Democrats who oppose the nomination — such as Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wis. — are unlikely to resort to a filibuster.
Kohl's spokesman, Patrick Morris, said Friday the senator had no comment on how he would vote on the filibuster motion."
http://www.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060128/APC0101/601280589/1003/APC01

Anybody hear anything more current on if Kohl will vote for cloture?