Senator Robert Byrd who is going to be in a tight race to keep his Senator's seat this fall, has just announced on the floor of the Senate he WILL vote FOR Judge Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court.



Pressure on Red State Democrats in Alito Vote

By BRIAN McGUIRE - Staff Reporter of the Sun
January 25, 2006

WASHINGTON - A straight party line vote from the Senate Judiciary Committee on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito puts intense pressure on a handful of Democrats from states that voted for President Bush last year as the president's second nominee to the High Court in less than a year heads to the full Senate today for debate.


"Front and center are Senators Conrad and Dorgan, of North Dakota; Senators Pryor and Lincoln, of Arkansas; Senator Landrieu, of Louisiana; Senator Byrd, of West Virginia; Senator Johnson, of South Dakota, and Senator Bingaman of New Mexico. Another possible Democratic vote for Judge Alito is Senator Menendez, of New Jersey, whose state went for Mr. Bush's opponent, Senator Kerry, a Democrat of Massachusetts, last year but who is nonetheless under pressure from Democrats at home to vote for a native son."

http://www.nysun.com/article/26460


That makes 3 Democrats so far: Robert Byrd of West Virginia, Johnson of South Dakota, and Ben Nelson of Nebraska, all pledging to vote for his nomination. All "red" states.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

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Nobody with open eyes can any longer doubt that the danger to personal freedom comes chiefly from the left. - F.A. Hayek

Where have all the Conservatives Gone?

Well done, my arse!! He's just trying to save his. And I hope the voters of West Virginia don't fall for it. It's time for Senator Byrd to stay home.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

So when Norm Coleman casts votes to appease his blue state... is that contemptable, too?

You could say he's just listening to his constituents.

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Scarred survivor of the April 2008 Mod War.

Has Lieberman cast his vote? He kinda seems like a "lone wolf" to me, but then I remember when he ran with Gore, he wanted the best of both worlds and wouldn't give up in senate seat.

But Norm Coleman didn't do that. Norm Coleman is voting FOR Judge Alito. That means he's going AGAINST his Blue state. Byrd is worried about his upcoming election.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

I wasn't talking about the Alito vote in particular. I was talking about his voting record in general. It gets bluer the closer we get to re-election.

It's no accident that Reps in Dem states and Dems in Rep states tend to cross party lines on votes.

I just don't know why you're excorciating Byrd for doing so. Generally, I think it's a *good* thing when politicians buck their party. And shouldn't you be happy that he's supporting your guy?

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Scarred survivor of the April 2008 Mod War.

I read today that Lieberman will join Senator Dodd and vote against Alito. They are both from the blue state of Connecticut. And don't forget.....Lieberman is running for president and knows he needs the base in order to get the Primary win.

Since there is absolutely nothing wrong with Judge Alito and he is highly qualified, I can see no other reason for it.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

Oh, I'm thrilled! I just hope his constituents don't fall for it as a sincere vote. I'd really like to see him gone and he's got someone challenging him this fall and I'm sure that's why he's concerned.

And yes, both sides have done this. But I was talking about Senator Byrd.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

Of course, you criticize Byrd for agreeing with you....

"Lieberman's voting against Alito; slimy Democrat!"

"Byrd's voting for Alito; slimy Democrat!"

Hmm... I'm detecting a trend here....

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Scarred survivor of the April 2008 Mod War.