While you a reading this, you might as well read the latest from RNC Research In Case You Missed It on an AP article on Sen Ben Nelson of NE. Looks like the chance of a filibuster on the Alito nomination is quickly flying out the window!
Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson Praises Alito
From The Associated Press
By Jesse Holland
November 2, 2005
A centrist Democratic senator complimented Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Wednesday as a moderate jurist who won't "hammer away and chisel away" existing law.
While Sen. Ben Nelson did not endorse President Bush's latest nominee for the high court, he did say he was impressed by what he heard from Alito during his introductory visit.
The Nebraska Democrat, ... told reporters that he got assurances that Alito would not be "judicial activist" or "take an agenda to the bench" if confirmed ...
"He assured me that he wants to go to the bench without a political agenda," said Nelson, ...
Nelson, one ... said that Alito "wants to decide each case as it comes before him." ...
The Group of 14 is to meet Thursday to talk about Alito, who picked up an endorsement Wednesday from Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
"I look forward to enthusiastically supporting his nomination," said Hagel, one of several senators that Alito was scheduled to meet with during the day. ...
Republicans have said that Alito is more than qualified, pointing to his 15 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit and his work as a government lawyer and prosecutor.
For Entire Article Please Visit: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110201324.html
Nelson knows being from Nebraska, he best not filibuster or vote against Alito ;)
I saw that. It means that at least three of the Gang of 14 (Graham, DeWine and Nelson) are on board Alito's nomination, and that a fourth may be (Specter, though I won't breathe easy until he votes "Aye"). Assuming the other 48 GOP senators vote to go nuclear (the prospects of which improved dramaitically with Reid's hissy fit yesterday, IMO), that means it's "weapons free" if the nuke option comes to pass.