Washington calling: Two sides stacking Alito ammunition

Scripps Howard News Service ^ | 1/8/6 | Lance Gay

[SmithL]

Advocacy groups are turning up the volume on their lavishly funded campaigns in the home states of wavering senators over Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Expect a very nasty - but quick - fight that will end in February. Liberal organizations such as People for the American Way say they already know enough about Alito from his writings to oppose his nomination without listening to what the nominee says in his confirmation hearings. On the other side, Progress for America is launching a three-day pro-Alito blitz in 19 states to persuade senators to block any filibuster on the Senate floor.

Targets of the campaigns are wavering GOP senators Mike DeWine of Ohio, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, Gordon Smith of Oregon and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. Pro-Alito forces also are concentrating on persuading Democrats like Bill Nelson of Florida and Ken Salazar of Colorado to shirk the filibuster and allow a straight vote on the nomination.

[george76]

[upchuck]

"Targets of the campaigns are wavering GOP senators
Mike DeWine of Ohio [RINO!],
Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine [RINOS!],
Gordon Smith of Oregon [RINO!] and
Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island [RINO!]."

Up until recently my mantra has been, "It's all about the judges." But now that Alito's confirmation (despite what this article says) is 99% a sure thing, I have a new mantra:

RINOS OUT!

And to that end, may I make a suggestion? Don't give money to any of the national Republican organizations, such as the RNC, because they are interested in having incumbents reelected and they'll shower the RINOS with money. Rather, give directly to the candidates of your choice.

The RINOS have done as much damage, if not more, to our country than the RATS.

RINOS OUT!

[Jacquerie]

I doubt Sen Bill Nelson of FL will filibuster. He's up for reelection in this read state this year and has been moving somewhat to the right since the '04 election.