Kagan Whip Count: NY State Of Mind
Senate debate on the SCOTUS nomination of Solicitor Gen. Elena Kagan could begin as early as Tuesday, according to Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid, setting up a vote before the Senate adjourns for the Aug. recess at week's end..
Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced today that they would support Kagan's nomination. According to our count, 55 of the Senate's 100 members have publicly declared their intentions with regard to the Kagan vote. As debate begins and statements continue to trickle in, we'll be updating this each day until the roll is called.
A note on methodology: We assume a vast majority -- if not all -- of the Dem caucus will vote to confirm Kagan. But we're going to be sticklers for a firm 'yes' -- or the very strong hint of a 'yes' in an interview. Sens. breaking with their party on the vote are in italics.
YES VOTES: 30
Sens. Michael Bennet (report), Roland Burris (statement), Ben Cardin (statement), Susan Collins (statement), Chris Dodd (statement), Byron Dorgan (statement), Dick Durbin (floor speech, 7/12), Russ Feingold (statement), Dianne Feinstein (statement, Al Franken (interview), Kirsten Gillibrand (statement), Lindsey Graham (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), Judd Gregg (statement), Tim Johnson (report), Ted Kaufman (statement), Amy Klobuchar (interview), Frank Lautenberg (statement), Patrick Leahy (statement), Dick Lugar (statement), Claire McCaskill (report), Jeff Merkley (report), Patty Murray (statement), Jack Reed (statement), Chuck Schumer (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), Jeanne Shaheen (report), Olympia Snowe (statement), Arlen Specter (op-ed), Debbie Stabenow (statement), Mark Udall (statement), Sheldon Whitehouse (interview).
NO VOTES: 25
Sens. Lamar Alexander (statement), Bob Bennett (statement), Jim Bunning (statement), Richard Burr (statement), Saxby Chambliss (statement), Tom Coburn (op-ed), Bob Corker (statement), John Cornyn (statement), Jim DeMint (op-ed), John Ensign (statement), Chuck Grassley (statement), Orrin Hatch (statement), Kay Bailey Hutchison (statement), Jim Inhofe (statement), Johnny Isakson (statement), Mike Johanns (statement), Jon Kyl (announced at committee hearing, 7/20), John McCain (op-ed), Mitch McConnell (statement), Lisa Murkowski (statement), Ben Nelson (statement), Jeff Sessions (op-ed), Richard Shelby (statement), John Thune (statement), David Vitter (statement), Roger Wicker (report).
Please add Sen. Mark Warner to YES VOTES
Sen. Mark Warner's website includes a July 30th Statement that concludes:
“I believe Elena Kagan embodies the excellence that we look for in a Supreme Court justice, and I look forward to casting my vote in support of her nomination."
-Glenn Sugameli
Judging the Environment
Defenders of Wildlife
Wsahington, D.C.
AP is reporting Sen. "Baucus will support Elena Kagan for Supreme Court"
-Glenn Sugameli
Judging the Environment
Defenders of Wildlife
Wsahington, D.C.
To Whom It May Concern,
I believe this country is in desperate need of a Senator who is not afraid to stand up for the constitution and our country and oppose those who would knowingly tear it down. Case in point Elena Kagan who willfully defrauded the government,and has no regard for the constitution or traditional family values. Knowing that she holds judical actives rather than the constitution in higher regard is, by definition, against the constitution. I concur with those who believe she does not have the ability to be objective and should be disbarred for her past actions and not be allowed on the bench. Thank you for your time. Janeice Janes