Actually he says he'll only back the ban if a judicial nominee who he finds acceptable is filibustered.
He got the message when he son was defeated for an open Ohio Congressional seat primary right after he joined the "gang".
We wouldn't be in this quandary without his whimpy rino actions earlier. It sounds to me like he has found religion in the last few days.
Of course he will - - this was the genius of the "Gang of 14" deal. Seven Republicans, including DeWine, promised not to "go nuclear" in exchange for seven Democrats' promise not to filibuster. If some or all of those seven Democrats break their promise and support a filibuster (which would have to happen in order for a filibuster to succeed) then the seven Republicans have all the cover they need to get righteous and vote to "go nuclear".
("Denny Crane: Gun Control? For Communists. She's a liberal. Can't hunt.")
I believe this is the 4th of The Surrendering Senate Seven to signal they'll invoke the Constitutional Option if necessary, and I believe it will be.
Congratulations to everyone who gave DeWhine an earful for his participation in the gang of 14. Like Lindsey Graham, he apparently got the message.
DeWine will support the nuclear option. Graham will support the nuclear option. McCain, we can best guess will support the nuclear option. Specter will most likely also support the nuclear option.
The GOP has the votes. There will be no filibuster.
Let O'Connor Go Home By Christmas.
I would think that a good gauge of "extraordinary circumstance" is that it represents a judge that the Congress would entertain impeachment proceedings against.
Good. He and Lindsey Graham are coming out of the filibuster closet.
I frankly think every Republican Senator is realizing that his or her election bread is gonna be buttered right here and now over Alito.
Reminds me of what I call the rule of 2s. Only two times have Republican Senators not voted unanimously to confirm a judge nominated by a Republican President, and each time there were only two votes against. I don't expect many will jump from the bandwagon this time either.
Dewine will vote for Alito because he knows to do otherwise will end his Senate career. That's one RINO down.
Mike DeWine on Hugh Hewitt
Radioblogger ^ | 10/31/05 | Mike DeWine / Hugh Hewitt
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513318/posts
One of those, the Family Research Council from Washington, said DeWine had taken a "step in the right direction" and showed the weakness of the coalition, known as the Gang of 14.
"It's probably the result of hearing from his constituents," said council president Tony Perkins.
Wrong ...
Here's something about Graham but it applies equally to DeWine:
"I heard Graham speaking about the MoU IMMEDIATELY after it was announced. He was very, very aware that his conservative supporters would be vocal in their opposition to his taking part in the gang. He EXPECTED the phone lines and fax machines to be burning up with their opposition.
"Nevertheless, he did it because HE BELIEVED it was the RIGHT thing to do, and that the Senate would operate more smoothly this session if the nuke did not have to be resorted to.
"His explaining NOW is not something being done only in retrospect: he was well aware that his conservative supporters would strongly question his judgement. He asked that they watch, wait and see if that judgement was good or bad. Thus far, the results have been good and no filibuster has been attempt by the Senate on judicial nominations.
"Agree or disagree with his decision in this case, he followed through on what he believed to be right and for the good of the country. I commend any politician who does this, and who refuses to be governed by polls. We don't elect them to blindly follow OUR orders, but to do what THEY believe to be right. That is why integrity is the single most important quality for an elected official, and why I was so opposed to the 'Toon.
"(Other FReepers have told me that DeWine was similarly immediate with his response after the MoU, but I can't personally vouch for him.) If you take a look at the way these two are rated by almost any conservative organization, on nearly every issue, you'll find they almost invariably top the list of good Senators. These two are definitely not RINOs.
"Much like Ron Paul, who often breaks with the "R" leadership and whose judgement I similarly find questionable at times, I applaud this type of personal responsibility for their voting. This type of principled independence has to be applauded (unlike the continual grandstanding that McCain does just to get the accolades of the Old Media) and our support should not waiver when they, who are in the middle of the stewpot, choose to do something because they believe they can see better through the murkiness than those of us who are not in the middle of the situation.
"I reiterate: I personally will vouch that the "explaining done since" by Graham was immediate, well before the publicity accompanying the MoU, and not in response to the outcry of the conservative base."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513219/posts?page=9#9
It is disturbing to me that someone from the very well respected Family Research Council would propagate such mythology implying that DeWine (or Graham) have changed their approach to the Constitutional Option, or that they in any way have reconsidered their "gang of 14" membership simply because of constituent pressure.
He just said, they can't, and thats going to be that.