Key GOP senator calls Alito 'solid pick'

CNN.com ^ | 4 November 2005

[Aussie Dasher]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- While Republicans and Democrats geared up for a potential confirmation battle over Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, one moderate GOP senator said Democrats didn't have the necessary ammunition to shoot down the nomination.

Sen. Mike DeWine emerged Tuesday from a meeting with Alito and said the nominee is a "good, solid pick by the president" who doesn't present the "extraordinary circumstances" necessary to trigger a filibuster.

Nevertheless, the option already is being mentioned by some Democrats who say Alito, a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is too conservative to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

DeWine, an Ohio Republican, is one of the "Gang of 14" -- seven Senate moderates from each party who reached an agreement in May stating that Democrats wouldn't filibuster President Bush's judicial nominees except in "extraordinary circumstances," which the group did not define.

[Aussie Dasher]

Looks like the blocks are falling into place this time!

[peyton randolph]

Never trust a moderate. DeWhine will grab his ankles at the drop of a hat if the polls suggest he do so. I'll believe his votes after I've seen them cast...not before.

[andyk]

I was a little upset with DeWine at first (for joining the gang of 14), but he certainly seems to be stepping up to the plate with Alito.

[peyton randolph]

he certainly seems to be stepping up to the plate with Alito.

Weasel DeWhine is backing off on his support. Now it is wait-and-see.

All it took was today's meeting of the Gang of 14 'moderates.' Puke.

"DeWine and Graham, two of the group's more conservative members, emerged from a meeting of the full group on Thursday, saying members were taking a wait-and-see approach."

Moderate means amoral opportunistic S.O.B.

[MikefromOhio]

Never trust a moderate. DeWhine will grab his ankles at the drop of a hat if the polls suggest he do so. I'll believe his votes after I've seen them cast...not before.

I think DeWhiner's vote can be counted on here. He is up for re-election, WANTS to be re-elected, and is in for a dog fight. Since his opponent appears to be coming from the far far left, that generally means DeWhiner will run to the right.

[sinkspur]

He's not backing off; he was characterizing other members of the Gang of 14.

Olympia Snowe said today that Alito didn't meet the threshold of "extraordinary circumstances" for a filibuster.

There's a third convert, right there.

[TontoKowalski]

I know that many on FR don't agree, but conservative pressure on the President and Ms Miers has paid off. It looks like a good constructionist judge will be confirmed, and without much ado.

Fears of "confirmability" seem to have been overstated.

[TontoKowalski]

Isn't Chaffee up for re-election, as well? And facing a conservative primary opponent?

[andyk]

Weasel DeWhine is backing off on his support. Now it is wait-and-see.

I was afraid it was too good to be true.

[MikefromOhio]

couldn't tell you for certain...

I know what DeWhine is up against because I live in Ohio.

[Mr_Moonlight]

the [filibuster]option already is being mentioned by some Democrats

if I may complete that sentence: ... "who are still stuck on stoopit and completely misread their own selfish narrow views versus that of greater Americans"

[indianrightwinger]

Hmmmmm.....does and election ring a bell? Politicians are like $luts, in case it is confusing. :-))