Posted on 12/21/2010 7:54:11 AM PST by Fury
Republican opposition to New START is collapsing. One Senate source just told me the vote for ratification could go as high as 75. Another said, “I don’t know if it will get that high, but it’s starting to tick up there.” As the sense builds that ratification is inevitable, Republicans are lining up to get on the “right side.” Lamar Alexander’s support, noted below, is a crucial sign of which way the wind is blowing, although he’ll probably be the only member of the Republican leadership to vote for it. At least Jon Kyl was able to get more money for modernization and that letter from President Obama making assurances on missile defense. Otherwise, this is a dismaying rout.
From earlier in the Corner:
Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R., Tenn.) announced his support for ratification of the New START treaty.
He outlined his support as follows: “The president has committed to an $85 billion, ten-year plan to make sure these weapons work. The treaty allows for inspection of Russian warheads. Our military leaders say it does nothing to interfere with development of our missile-defense system. The last six Republican secretaries of state support the treaty.”
“Americans are safer and more secure with the treaty than without it,” he said.
Alexander’s announcement means Republicans are dangerously short on votes, making it increasingly unlikely that START will be stopped before the end of the lame-duck session.
Simply amazing.
Just take names and remember in 2012, 2014 or 2016, if we get there.
Never, "What's the best thing for America", but always, "collapsing to line up on the right side" (politically).
Does anything EVER change in Washington?
Looks like my personal decision to exit the GOP was a good one.
A pox on both parties.
My concern is verification and also implications for missile defense. Additionally, there needs to be a serious discussion about the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program and the implications START will have on the RRW efforts.
Is it worth our time with these guys?? Time for a new party as the one we have now is a total waste of time.. I don’t want to hear we will split the vote and will elect Dems... We vote for Republicans and we still get this crap....
That's getting to be a big 'if'...
Seems like the Republicans are all bark and no bite.... Nothing has changed...
Extremely disappointed... Moreover, the Republican leader (Mitch McConnell) has just proved to all Republicans that he cannot job done. All we are asking for is to delay the vote a month, and he can’t even get that done.
How sad that our elected representatives abandon their principles simply because there's a gentle wind blowing. Here's an idea, you gutless wonders: Try doing what your constituents want for a change.
Guess they didn’t hear us in NOVEMBER. Is there a way to STOP ALL of the last minute legislation???? Where are the balls of the repubs? OH YEAH, in Alaska.
On the Senate side, nothing has changed. His Ladyship McConnell is a wimp. He is clearly in love with Reid (remember, he adamantly refused to campaign or even speak out against him — and please, to his apologist here at FR, don’t give us that “he sent his aides up to campaign” crapola again: those of us who work in Washington know it is a cop-out).
What will happen on the House side remains to be seen — though I personally have substantial faith in Boehner and his staff.
Effing cowards. Traitors.
Final straw for me as well. They'll not get my money or my vote. Might as well let the rats continue to destroy the country. The Republicans don't seem to care. Why even have two parties? A pox on all of them is right.
My tagline says it all mostly....and now I can add the whole Senate to that list of traitors... pffffft
Someone tell me again why a vote for a third party is a wasted vote.
DISARMING YOUR COUNTRY is a just cause for replacing a government. By any means. It has happened before: our own revolution.
Folding like a cheap paper plate.
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