I think the Democrat vote was completely choreographed, including Leahy's Yes vote. They had to show the leftists they had some spine to stand up to President Bush, but by allowing a few to vote Yes they think they have sent a message to the White House not to send up a "more conservative" nominee next time, and to the American people that they can be "reasonable" if given "reasonable" nominees. Having Leahy vote Yes in particular gets the Dems out of the "knee-jerk opposition" accusation. Feingold and Kohl have not been active on the Committee and are not as beholden to the moonbat interest groups as the others are, so it was logical to assign them the token yes votes. Has nothing to do with their constituents at all. They were told how to vote.
I concur. It is a democratic BS vote.
I am unsure of that I do agree that Leahy voted yes to show they aren't partisan but Wisconsin has been a toss up state since the 2000 election and Kohl could be in danger of losing his next election as he hasn't written any major legislation or been in the spotlight.
His only claim to fame in Wisconsin is his Kohl's food and department stores along with owning the Bucks. I would love to see Herbert Kohler run against him in '06. That would make for one confusing ballot.
And you, my FRiend, have demonstrated that you know exactly how it works.