IMO, the ones who really let us down are Byrd, Conrad, Johnson,

[sinkingfeeling]

and Nelson. These guys should be replaced in their next elections. The other 15 who voted 'no' on the confirmation, but 'yes' on cloture, should be ashamed of themselves and get no financial support.

[Straight Shooter]

1. I'm very disappointed and frustrated by Senator Byrd.

All those lofty, eloquent speeches on the floor of the Senate these last couple years might as well have been, well, you know, farts in the wind.

[Benhurst]

2. It's time for the old windbag to retire. NT

[pocket]

3. has he fooled us this entire time?

I forgave him for a lot of his past because I thought he'd reformed.

[Norquist Nemesis]

4. I was surprised by Byrd's vote

but he's apparently running scared by his opponent for his seat. The ones who really let the country down are the so-called moderate Republicans...not the Democrats. Even if every last Democrat voted No, it would have only delayed the inevitable while GOP talking heads took advantage of it to back "obstructionist Democrats".

Had the so-called moderate Republicans chose country over party, Alito would not have been confirmed and a fillibuster wouldn't have even need be considered.

[mikeanike]

5. I agree

Byrd has let us down. In his speech he spelled out his reason for voting for alito as pressure from his constituents. But the very purpose of being a senator is to practically ignore your constituents! They are elected for six years for a reason. They may be the most bourgeois element of US government but the lofty attitude they foster is to allow them to rise above public rancor and provide reason and temperament to political proceedings.