Alito Confirmed

[Republican_Legion]

http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109<SUP>th</SUP> Congress - 2<SUP>nd</SUP> Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

<TABLE class=contenttext cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=contenttext colSpan=4>Question: <QUESTION>On the Cloture Motion</QUESTION> (Motion to Invoke Cloture On The Nomination of Samuel A. Alito, Jr. of New Jersey, To Be An Associate Justice Of The Supreme Court ) </TD></TR><TR><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Vote Number: <TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>1</TD></TD><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Vote Date: <TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>January 30, 2006, 04:40 PM</TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Required For Majority: <TD class=contenttext>3/5</TD></TD><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Vote Result: <TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Cloture Motion Agreed to</TD></TD></TR><TR><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top>Nomination Number: </TD><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top colSpan=3>PN490</TD></TR><TR><TD class=contenttext>Nomination Description: </TD><TD class=contenttext colSpan=3>Rear Adm. (lh) Mark A. Hugel, in the Navy, to be Rear Admiral</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contenttext width="50%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TD class=contenttext vAlign=top width="25%">Vote Counts:</TD><TD class=contenttext width="50%">YEAs</TD><TD class=contenttext align=right width="25%">72</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD class=contenttext width="50%">NAYs</TD><TD class=contenttext align=right width="25%">25</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD><TD class=contenttext width="50%">Not Voting</TD><TD class=contenttext align=right width="25%">3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contenttext width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">Vote Summary (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#top)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Senator Name (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#name)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Vote Position (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#position)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Home State (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#state)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://senate.gov/resources/graphic/horiz_content_break.gif

Alphabetical by Senator Name <TABLE class=contenttext cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=contenttext width="33%">Akaka (D-HI), Yea
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Allen (R-VA), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burns (R-MT), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Chafee (R-RI), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Yea
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
Dayton (D-MN), Nay
DeMint (R-SC), Yea
DeWine (R-OH), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Nay
Dole (R-NC), Yea




</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Ensign (R-NV), Not Voting
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Frist (R-TN), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Not Voting
Harkin (D-IA), Not Voting
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay
Lieberman (D-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Yea




</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Nay
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Santorum (R-PA), Yea
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Talent (R-MO), Yea
Thomas (R-WY), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Nay




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[maxparrish]

The Alito Vote Part1

<TABLE class=contenttext width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">Vote Summary (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#top)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Senator Name (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#name)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Vote Position (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#position)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Home State (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#state)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://senate.gov/resources/graphic/horiz_content_break.gif

Alphabetical by Senator Name <TABLE class=contenttext cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=contenttext width="33%">
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Dayton (D-MN), Nay
Dodd (D-CT), Nay






</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay





</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">
Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Obama (D-IL), Nay
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

NSA Intercept....Warrantless..
ICELAND STATION.....

Good Morning Mr. Phelps,

Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to identify the appropriate creme brule's for the listed individuals. As you know, should you be captured we will deny any knowledge of your baking or your recipes.

Good luck Mr. Phelps,

....this message will destruct in five seconds.

(need a link to theme music).

<!-- / message -->

[Large_Al]

Lol

[Warlady]

Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Yea
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lieberman (D-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea

Thank you to the above Democrats for shutting down a filibuster. I never thought I would be thanking Senator Byrd. I thought it would be closer than this.

[Warlady]

The Alito Vote Part1

<TABLE class=contenttext width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">Vote Summary (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#top)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Senator Name (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#name)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Vote Position (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#position)</TD><TD class=contenttext align=middle width="20%">By Home State (http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00001#state)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://senate.gov/resources/graphic/horiz_content_break.gif

Alphabetical by Senator Name <TABLE class=contenttext cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0 VALIGN="TOP"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=contenttext width="33%">
Bayh (D-IN), Nay
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Dayton (D-MN), Nay
Dodd (D-CT), Nay







</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">Durbin (D-IL), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Nay
Jeffords (I-VT), Nay
Kennedy (D-MA), Nay
Kerry (D-MA), Nay
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Nay
Leahy (D-VT), Nay
Levin (D-MI), Nay






</TD><TD class=contenttext width="33%">
Menendez (D-NJ), Nay
Mikulski (D-MD), Nay
Murray (D-WA), Nay
Obama (D-IL), Nay
Reed (D-RI), Nay
Reid (D-NV), Nay
Sarbanes (D-MD), Nay
Schumer (D-NY), Nay
Stabenow (D-MI), Nay
Wyden (D-OR), Nay


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

NSA Intercept....Warrantless..
ICELAND STATION.....

Good Morning Mr. Phelps,

Your mission, if you decide to accept it, is to identify the appropriate creme brule's for the listed individuals. As you know, should you be captured we will deny any knowledge of your baking or your recipes.

Good luck Mr. Phelps,

....this message will destruct in five seconds.

(need a link to theme music).

<!-- / message -->

Only 25 votes!! Bwahahaha this has to be a total embarrassment for Kennedy and Kerry. Aww they worked so hard too. All that blood vessel popping and screaming and only 25 votes. hahahahaha :licky:

[Warlady]

Voting starts in one minute. This is a historic moment in our history. We finally have a conservative for the swing vote.

[Republican_Legion]

Thank you to the above Democrats for shutting down a filibuster. I never thought I would be thanking Senator Byrd. I thought it would be closer than this.

Byrd is a pro-life democrat but his KKK ties give the pro-life movement a bad look. Other then that he's a liberal democrat hanging on to his 1 line conservative issue to win re-election.

[Charity]

http://www.discoverynet.com/~ajsnead/allsongs_1/mission2.html

[Warlady]

Hmmm most Democrats aren't even there for the vote. What's up with that?

[DoctorDoom]

I note that the listed RATs who voted for cloture are not the usual gang of hyperlefties, the Kenny/Kerry/Feidstein rabble who vote with kneejerk predictability against anything that President Bush wants.

Time to stop the bullschitte and approve Alito. It's a foregone conclusion. The only rationale I can fathom is that the spolied, tantrum-throwing brats want to prevent the prez from having an applause line in the SOTU speech.

[Warlady]

HE'S CONFIRMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Charity]

:-)

[DoctorDoom]

Hmmm most Democrats aren't even there for the vote. What's up with that?:whine: :whine: :whine: :whine: :whine: :whine: :whine:

"If I can't have my way I'm gonna hold my breath till I turn blue! WAHHHH!!!"

[DoctorDoom]

In Massholechusetts, the flags will no doubt fly upside down at half staff, and the newsfishwrappers will be screeching about the demise of America. The local excuse for a paper makes the NYT/Globe seem like the New American. Their juvenile reaction should be amusing.

[Republican_Legion]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183270,00.html
Alito Confirmed as Nation's 110th Supreme Court Justice

Only four Democrats joined 54 Republicans in support of Alito. Of the court's present justices, only Clarence Thomas (javascript:siteSearch('Clarence Thomas');) received a slimmer margin of victory, 52-48, but even then received the votes of 11 Democrats who broke party ranks.
Alito will replace the court's first woman justice, Sandra Day O'Connor (javascript:siteSearch('Sandra Day O'Connor');), a moderate conservative and key swing vote on such high-profile issues as abortion, church-state separation and affirmative action. O'Connor has also in recent opinions demonstrated skepticism of President Bush's executive power claims in prosecuting the War on Terror. Alito is widely expected to be friendlier to presidential power arguments
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183270,00.html

Sandra was no fuggin moderate.
She was a full on liberal in the form of Feinstein.

[Warlady]

I totally agree RL. With a few exceptions. Sandra voted to stop the ridiculous unconstitutional vote counting in Florida and she voted against the eminent domain debacle/fiasco. Feinstein would have voted with Ginsberg, Bryer, Kennedy, Souter etc.

[True Grace]

HE'S CONFIRMED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YES!!!!!

http://photobucket.com/albums/v250/Elle232002/th_happy.gif

[Republican_Legion]

I totally agree RL. With a few exceptions. Sandra voted to stop the ridiculous unconstitutional vote counting in Florida and she voted against the eminent domain debacle/fiasco. Feinstein would have voted with Ginsberg, Bryer, Kennedy, Souter etc.

Well then shes a Lieberman Democrat.lol

[Warlady]

That's probably closer to her ideology. I'm just glad she's gone and Alito has replaced her. He is much more qualified to interpret the Constitution.

[Charity]

The future is looking brighter for unborn babies everywhere praise God.
http://www.fromtheheartpostcards.com/midis/rainbow.mid

[Republican_Legion]

The future is looking brighter for unborn babies everywhere praise God.
http://www.fromtheheartpostcards.com/midis/rainbow.mid

I agree.
Justice kennedy once voted against Roe. He might do it again to finally end the damn debate and return it to the states.

[maxparrish]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183270,00.html
Alito Confirmed as Nation's 110th Supreme Court Justice

Only four Democrats joined 54 Republicans in support of Alito. Of the court's present justices, only Clarence Thomas (http://javascript<b></b>:siteSearch('Clarence Thomas');) received a slimmer margin of victory, 52-48, but even then received the votes of 11 Democrats who broke party ranks.
Alito will replace the court's first woman justice, Sandra Day O'Connor (http://javascript<b></b>:siteSearch('Sandra Day O'Connor');), a moderate conservative and key swing vote on such high-profile issues as abortion, church-state separation and affirmative action. O'Connor has also in recent opinions demonstrated skepticism of President Bush's executive power claims in prosecuting the War on Terror. Alito is widely expected to be friendlier to presidential power arguments
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183270,00.html

Sandra was no fuggin moderate.
She was a full on liberal in the form of Feinstein.

Well that pretty much confirms my thesis - the era of any appeal to "non-political" "advise and consents" is over. You could'nt have asked for more than someone like Alito, BUT only 4 democratic votes?

Fine, those %$#* republicans had better wake up and 92% of them had better vote no on the next democratic nomination.

Well, this also confirms the idea that the democrats were going to oppose anyone - might as well go for Luttig etc. next time.

[Warlady]

Yep, one of the first cases coming before the new SCOTUS is the partial birth abortion ban. I think we have the votes now.

[Republican_Legion]

I wonder what the DU reaction to alito being confirmed is :grin:
Are they vomiting ?
Are they at the pubs ?
Are they having heart attacks and strokes ?

[True Grace]

Is there a skip to anyone else's step today, or is it just me?

[SmellyFed]

This is a real victory for right-thinking Americans. Savor it. How far we have come since the nomination of Harriet Miers!

Yes, now we have a chance to overturn years of judicial activism. If we're really lucky, GWB gets another chance or two to further stack the court before the 2008 elections.

[Republican_Legion]

So far GWB has out done Reagan and his daddy on giving us quality SCOTUS judges. Souter,Kennedy,O'connor were grade F's and D's.

[Warlady]

What RL said :grin: God Bless GW Bush!!

[Republican_Legion]

What RL said :grin: God Bless GW Bush!!

Ditto.

GOD BLESS THE PRESIDENT !

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

A very happy day, indeed. As Rush said earlier, bring on the next opening, we're ready to nominate and fill it!

Will be a VERY interesting State of the Union Speech this evening, don't you think? http://www.freeconservatives.com/vb/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Federal Farmer]

A battle won. Today was a good day; but there's still a war to be fought, and won. Onward!

[Warlady]

I agree Homes. It will be very uplifting to see Alito seated with the other Justices. We finally have a majority conservative court!!! I would still be more comfortable with one more. Stevens is what 87? Hopefully he will retire soon.

[Republican_Legion]

Stevens is what 87? Hopefully he will retire soon.

Or die of natural causes lol.:grin:

[SmellyFed]

Or die of natural causes lol.:grin:

Lets not be heartless, like the DU'ers. I hope for Justice Stevens' retirement - never his death!

[DesertFox]

Sandra Day O'Connor, a moderate conservativeUm, no. O'Connor is a moderate liberal.

[Peachdiane]

Great news!

Of course I'm not surprised Durbin and Obama Osama voted nay!

[DeclinetoState]

Um, no. O'Connor is a moderate liberal.

I'll let her off as a moderate. However, her willingness to go outside the Constitution to international law was more than a little bit frightening.

[DoctorDoom]

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/DU.png" border="12" /></center>

From Der Führskinner:

I'm going out to get a beer.
Posted by Skinner
Added to homepage Mon Jan 30th 2006, 06:03 PM ET

Sucks to be us right now. It's true, the vote didn't go the way we wanted it to. But I think we have a lot to be proud of. I think it is fair to say that without the liberal blogosphere, there wouldn't have even been a fight. So that's something that you all did. You should be proud. At least now they know that we aren't going to sit back and do nothing while our country goes down the toilet.

I know that we're all pretty upset right now, and we're all dealing with this in different ways. Some of us want to find support amongst our DU friends. Some of you want to vent. We have asked the mods to back off a bit, to give you all room to blow off steam a little. But we don't have unlimited tolerance, so please.. Just don't act like a dick.

And if you're in a really bad mood, and if you feel like disrupting or pissing people off -- please turn off your computer right now. We don't want you to do something that you might regret in the morning. There is no shame in logging off of DU.

Hell, that's what I'm going to do right now. As I said, I'm going to get a beer, and EarlG is gonna come with me. And we're going to raise a glass to the kick-ass Democrats on DU, who still give a f*ck about this country, and are still willing to fight for the things that matter.

You rock.In honor of this stirring rallying cry, I hereby present the well-known photo of this fearless leader, deeply involved in research for future DUh posts.

<center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/DocDoom777/Skinner.jpg"></center>

[wmldrf]

I love to see the stupidity of liberals. Although it is appalling it is somewhat humorous!!

[Faithful_Servant]

What I want to know is if Sen. Fienstein tried to filibuster. I hope she did so that we can enjoy the cannabalistic efforts of Cindy Shehan running for Senator against her.

[DoctorDoom]

Welcome to FC, wmldrf! Sharpen your fangs. We have liberals enough to feed everyone.

[Maggie_T]

I'm going out to get a beer.
Posted by Skinner
Added to homepage Mon Jan 30th 2006, 06:03 PM ET

Sucks to be us right now.

What do you mean, "right now"? It ALWAYS sucked to be you, and always will. Remember, stupid is forever. That's you, buggers.

You rock.

No, you SUCK. BIG TIME. And I hope you always will. Helps us a lot at the ballot. :evilgrin:

[Maggie_T]

Olympia Snowe voted yea?!?!?!?!?

Was she sober? :question:

Uhhhhh, our local pinko bird cage liner will be so pissed ... YESSSSSSS!!!!

[MSGT]

Lets not be heartless, like the DU'ers. I hope for Justice Stevens' retirement - never his death!
Either way, I'm good.

[Teenager]

Only 25 nays. That just goes to show that democrats look scarier than they really are. I say Bush should go for a more radical nomination next time(if he ever gets the chance).

[Republican_Legion]

I'll let her off as a moderate. However, her willingness to go outside the Constitution to international law was more than a little bit frightening.

Shes a LIBERAL.
She votes with Ginsburg 95% of the time.

[Timberwolf]

Olympia Snowe voted yea?!?!?!?!?

Was she sober? :question:

Uhhhhh, our local pinko bird cage liner will be so pissed ... YESSSSSSS!!!!
I think that was only on the Cloture Vote...Dorgan (C-ND) vote "yea" for cloture, but I'm all but positive that he voted against confirmation.

[Timberwolf]

The 25 "nay" votes was the Cloture Vote...the vote total for confirmation was 58-42.

[Elgalad]

Congratulations to Supreme Court Justice Alito! :thumb:

I'm so glad this is finally over and didn't end up protracted for months.. I'm willing to bet Sandra O'Connor is as well.

Happy Retirement, Ma'am, and enjoy that break you've earned! :grin:

Someone earlier asked why Sen. Byrd might possibly vote both against the filibuster (by supporting cloture) and for the Confirmation of Justice Alito.. I have some ideas.

Zombie Senator Robert Byrd has developed a severe addiction to the Filibuster option over the past 4,500 years he's served in the U.S. Senate. This has become almost a totem for him and a symbol for his fellow Senators that helps preserve his immortal status as the 'old fart' of the Upper House. He has frequently employed Filibusters to block and halt debate on issues where he knew the majority (and common sense) would decide against him; his shining moment being the 14+ hour dozer back in 1964 against the Civil Rights Act (Cloture was successfully invoked and the Act was ratified).

The possibility that this latest issue (the Supreme Court confirmation) might possibly threaten the unholy power of that Filibuster totem probably turns him whiter than the sheet he once wore during the nightly lynching parties he attended in his younger years. To that end, it's clear that he took this necessary step to protect his precious Filibuster from the dreaded.. Nuclear Option. :eek:

As for why he supported Alito's nomination itself.. he's up for reelection. 'Nuff Said. But this same reason also applies to many of the other 'surprise' votes by Democrats. Let's take a quick look at who among the 'yea voters' are also possibly leaving office this year..

Senators Bingaman, Cantwell, Carper, Kohl, Lieberman, and both Nelsons are also finishing up their current terms this year. While not quite the direct proof that there's another motive for their votes here.. there IS the suggestion. :question:

But hey, I'm not going to look gift horses (or jackasses) in the mouth. :smirky:

Now, since I'm digging up tired, old cliches..

A caveat for all of us who are currently celebrating this victory; Let's not count our chickens too closely before they are fully hatched. Only Time will prove whether our hopes in Chief Justice Roberts and Associate Justice Alito will bear real fruit. I remember well the confirmations of several previous Justices, including O'Connor herself, who didn't turn out quite as 'planned'. Without wishing to be a pessimist, I'll reserve my full approval until I know for sure that these men are Exactly what we hope they will be.

Bah, I do sound like a pessimist. Pfft.

Anyways, Kudos to Justice Alito and President Bush, and All Americans who love and support the Constitution! The future definitely looks brighter today.

:patriot:


-Elgalad

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

Just a reminder that we need one more justice to have a "conservative" Court. Kennedy, Souter, Breyer, Ginsburg, and Stevens all support the use of international law in decision making (and have used it as justification to strike down the juvenile death penalty and sodomy laws), so until we can replace one of them, the SCOTUS cannot be thought of as conservative.