GOP Senators going wobbly on judges?

I wouldn't even consider linking to a story like this except that it comes from the Washington Times. It looks like a few Senators in the Republican caucus are losing their nerve on enforcing the rules change that would end Democrat obstruction on judicial nominees.

"Of the 55 Republicans in the chamber, at least six are undecided or adamantly opposed to the plan of using the rare parliamentary procedure to end the filibusters with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60 votes normally required."

And who are we taking about here? Oh, just the usual suspects:

• Susan Collins (ME)
• Olympia Snowe (ME)
• John McCain (AZ)
• Chuck Hagel (NE)
• Lincoln Chafee (RI) &
• George Voinovich (OH)

But even more alarming are a couple of guys on the fence who you could normally count on: John Warner (VA) and John Sununu (NH).

But not all is lost as those in the leadership seems to be energized in getting the chickens back in the henhouse:

"Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and majority whip who had long cautioned his caucus against the option, announced his full support.

"Even if one strongly disagrees with a nomination, the proper course of action is not to obstruct a potential judge through the filibuster but to vote against him or her," he said in a statement. "Unfortunately, this obstruction necessitates that we restore these norms and traditions, and that includes through the use of the so-called 'constitutional' option."

Personally, I think McConnell is key is rounding up the necessary votes. And for all their talk, I believe McCain and Hagel - two individuals who are expected to pursue the GOP nomination in 2008 - are likely to look reality in the face and vote "yea". With it being this close, do they want to possibly be considered the ONE vote that killed this initiative? But Frist needs to move now. His window of opportunity is beginning to close. If he fails to make this happen, he can kiss his own quest for the nomination goodbye.

Posted by: Gary at 09:08 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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