ConfirmThem

By AndrewHyman Posted in Senate Rules — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

The New York Times has an article about the filibuster situation. An excerpt:

C. Boyden Gray, chairman of the Committee for Justice and the chief strategist on the conservative side of the judicial battles, said: "It is like a test vote, but it is an important test vote because the president's hands will be dramatically tied if he has to meet a 60-vote threshold. I think everybody on our side feels much better trying to resolve the 60-vote issue before a Supreme Court nomination."

The article identifies seven Republicans who may jump ship: Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, John McCain of Arizona, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and John W. Warner of Virginia. Here's another excerpt from the Times article:

Despite the flurry of activity, however, Senate Republican leaders say they do not expect a showdown for at least three weeks. Dr. Frist intends to propose a compromise when Congress returns, they say, although details remain vague.

Mr. Gray also points out in the Washington Post that the Democrats' power grab in the nomination process will not help them at the polls.