Posted on 01/30/2006 6:07:16 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Judge Samuel Alito stands just one step away from a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court after a spirited ninth-inning campaign by some Democratic senators to block his nomination fizzled Monday evening.
The final vote on Alito's nomination is now scheduled for Tuesday morning, and, with at least 57 senators on board, approval is virtually assured.
Alito's supporters in the Senate, as expected, cleared the final roadblock Monday when senators, by a vote of 72-25, decided to cut off debate and proceed to a final vote, rebuffing an attempt by a cadre of liberal senators to talk the nomination to death.
The vote easily exceeded the 60 votes needed to pass the motion. ()
In the end, only 24 of the chamber's 44 Democrats went along with the filibuster, a maneuver allowed under Senate rules to block a vote by extending debate indefinitely. It was also supported by the chamber's lone independent, Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont.
Arguing against cutting off debate, Sen. John Kerry -- who spearheaded the filibuster effort with his fellow Massachusetts Democrat, Sen. Ted Kennedy -- said Alito's record during his 15 years on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has given "the extreme right wing unbelievable public cause for celebration."
"That just about tells you what you need to know," Kerry said. "The vote today is whether or not we will take a stand against ideological court-packing."
But Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said the move to cut off debate fulfilled a "very straightforward principle -- a nominee with the support of a majority of senators deserves a fair up-or-down vote."
"The sword of the filibuster has been sheathed because we are placing principle before politics, and results before rhetoric," Frist said.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
60 is actually an improvement. It used to be 2/3 of Senators sworn, which with 100 Senators meant 67 votes for cloture. The 67 vote rule was changed to 60 in 1975, led by Majority Leader Robert Byrd.
No she didn't either. I saw the ditch witch on TV yesterday and she said whether Fienstien voted yea or nay, she was considering running against her anyway. I don't think the DUmmies are too happy about it. They were asking where she thought she was going to get her campaign money. Good question now that Howie has squandered all the DNC money trying to bring Bush down.
In Kennedy's case, those are not molotov cocktails in his belt. They're just his usual five or six bottles of scotch that he needs to make it till noon.
My email to Kerry tonight...
It was sooo good to see you in your death throes on the Senate floor today as you made a complete ass of yourself over the Alito Filibuster.
Say goodnight John.
No power in the Senate, no power in Congress, no power in the White House and now, no power in the judiciary.
America is finally safe from you treachery.
Tme to retire and squander the rest of your wife's millions, at least that is something you are really good at.
You got it right, Johnny. I know I'll be popping a cold one!
And then an email to Ted the swimmer...
I expect you are really drunk tonight.
I saw you today making a complete ass of yourself over the appointment of Judge Alito.
What is this "progress" you kept harping on?
What "progress" do you expect the Supreme Court to make?
Alito is the final nail in your coffin....., no power in Congress, no power in the Senate, no power in the White House , and now, no power to legislate from the bench to force through you unpalettable agenda..
Time to retire, Teddy, it's over..
It's a great day for America.... CHEERS!
That is funny. Maybe Howie will open up his wallet and give her a fiver.
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