My money's still on essentially a party line vote, with a couple of RINO defections. 52-48, maybe 53-47. The Dim activists are just frantic with rage now at their senators' inability to so much as ding Roberts. And I have to admit I'm surprised at their lack of a real fight. They'll have to vote against him to maintain any credibility at all with their base. Later, they'll rewrite history to say that the GOP steamrolled Roberts through the nomination process, trampling all over the rights of the minority party as well as "cherished Senate traditions."
I'll check in and see how the witnesses testify. I'm wondering if the Dims are counting on them to do all the dirty work with the personal attacks and mud flinging.
"We stayed out of Roberts' personal life figuring that the White House would at least be forthcoming about the man's character even though they've given us no requested information. Now that these witnesses have brought up these allegations we must investigate and we'll need more time to do that thoroughly." </Dim spin>
I would be shocked if any Republican voted against Roberts.
Rehnquist was approved with 66 votes to be Chief. If Roberts matches that, I'll consider it a big victory.