The 60 vote dohicky plays on Monday afternoon, if it plays at all.
Of the remaining seven, four are against filibuster. That leaves a maximum of three Gang-of-14 Senators being willing to cast a vote for filibuster. None of them has expressed an intention to vote for the filibuster.
In order to defeat the cloture motion, the DEMs have to "flip" more than one of the "anti-filibuster" Senators, plus insure that all anti-Alito votes outside of the Gang-of-14 will vote against cloture.
Akaka and Dorgan have expressed that they will not support a filibuster, which would put the anti-filibuster vote up to 63.
Akaka said today [Jan 27] he wouldn't support a filibuster because the Senate has heard Alito's positions in confirmation hearings.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1565978/posts
Sens. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota made it clear Thursday night after a second day of floor debate on Alito that they would not support a filibuster, even though Akaka was going to vote against the nominee and Dorgan was still undecided.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1566155/posts
Joe Lieberman (D-CT) - NONCOMMITAL on filibuster - AGAINST the nominee
http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=250808
Ken Salazar (D-CO) - Against filibuster - AGAINST the nominee
In a [Jan 25] conference call with reporters, Salazar said he still plans to vote against Alito's confirmation but indicated that his problems with the judge's philosophy do not extend to the extraordinary circumstances that would warrant a filibuster by the minority party.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1566524/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1565006/posts
Olympia Snowe (R-ME) - Against filibuster - Noncommital on the nominee
Her voicemail box (202.224.5344) is currently "full." LOL.
NY Times - January 13, 2006
By ADAM NAGOURNEY and NEIL A. LEWIS
After Alito's Testimony, Democrats Still Dislike Him but Can't Stop Him
... The chances of a Democratic filibuster faded after the third day of hearings, as a spokeswoman for Senator Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, a moderate Republican, announced that Ms. Snowe would oppose it.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1557208/posts?page=40#40
Lincoln Chaffee (R-RI) - Against Filibuster - Noncommital on the nominee.
Chafee has long signaled his worry that a filibuster against Alito would gridlock the Senate. Hourahan reaffirmed Thursday that the senator would join fellow Republicans in voting to shut off debate.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1566755/posts
Mary Landrieu (D-LA) - Against filibuster - Noncommital on the nominee.
"Because we have such a full plate of pressing issues before Congress, a filibuster at this time would be, in my view, very counterproductive. It is imperative that we remain focused on creating the tools New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast will need to rebuild. This includes passing the Baker bill and allowing our state to keep its fair share of offshore energy revenues. We simply cannot afford to bring the Senate to a halt at a time when we need its action the most. If called to vote for cloture on Judge Alito's nomination, I will vote yes.
"I will continue to consult with constituents, groups, organizations and colleagues to decide on my final vote. I do think it is important that we have an up or down vote."
http://landrieu.senate.gov/scotus/alito2.cfm
Mark Pryor (D-AR) - Against filibuster - AGAINST the nominee
He added, without prompting, that he did not support a filibuster against Alito because "one is not warranted."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1566420/posts
Thank you... I needed to read that.
Great post. I just hope it holds.
BTW did you see it's almost certain that Sheehan is going to run against DiFi anyway? I hope she does because I think if she won the primary we might stand a chance of electing a GOPer such as McClintock.