No Roberts Rhyme Nor Reason
By a vote of 72-25 the Senate shot down a filibuster attempt today on Sam Alito's SCOTUS nomination. All of the Senates GOPers voted against the filibuster. 24 Dems and Sen. Jim Jeffords
(I-VT) voted for a filibuster, while 19 Dems voted against. This 24-19 Dem split provided some variation on the catch 22 of the John Roberts days. Here's a breakdown:
-- Dems who voted against Roberts and against the filibuster include HI Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA).
-- Dems who voted for Roberts and for the filibuster include Sens. Chris Dodd (CT), Russ Feingold (WI), Pat Leahy (VT), Carl Levin (MI), Patty Murray (WA), and Ron Wyden (OR).
-- Sen. Tom Harkin (IA), who voted against Roberts, did not vote on the filibuster attempt. [NORA McALVANAH]
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