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As the Senate engaged in a third week of debate on the nomination, Nelson announced his backing of Estrada a day after a Hispanic group began airing radio ads in Florida and a handful of other states in support of the nominee.

"I am troubled by those who have suggested that some senators are anti-Hispanic because they seek additional information about this nominee," Nelson said in a statement. "Poisoning the debate with baseless, accusations demeans the nomination process."

CREDENTIALS REVIEWED

Yet, Nelson said, "After reviewing Mr. Estrada's personal and professional credentials, including personally interviewing the nominee, I believe he is qualified to serve on the D.C. Circuit Court and, I will vote in favor of his nomination."

An aide said Nelson told Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, two weeks ago he was leaning in favor of Estrada and informed Daschle on Tuesday of his decision to back him.

When a Well Respected Democratic Senators, publicly declares his party's opposition as unworthy or "Purely Politcal" it is all but over.

Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida Democrat, said yesterday that he will vote for Mr. Estrada. "Based on my conversation with him, and those who know him well, I believe he respects — and will honor — his moral and legal obligation to uphold the law impartially," he said.

And then Zell,

Mr. Miller said his party's opposition to Mr. Estrada is "all political" and can be attributed to pressure from outside interest groups. "The groups run everything around here," the conservative Democrat said Monday.

They Cannot sustain a filibuster once comments like that are being made in public.