January 30, 2006
HE'S EVEN HONEST ENOUGH TO CALL HIMSELF A SPADE:
Alito headed toward confirmation (Thomas Ferraro, 1/30/06, Reuters)
Democrat Kent Conrad of North Dakota, a moderate whose state backed Bush in the 2000 and 2004 elections, announced his support, noting in part, "It is clear that both the majority of my constituents and the majority of the American people are in favor of Judge Alito's confirmation."Chafee, a moderate in a state that twice opposed Bush for president, said, "I am a pro-choice (abortion rights), pro-environment, pro-Bill of Rights Republican and I will be voting against this nomination."
Both senators are up for re-election this year and intended to vote later on Monday against a futile effort by some Democrats to raise a procedural roadblock against Alito, who could move the high court to the right.
You have to admoire Mr. Chafee both for voting against the filibuster and being honest enough to describe his position as pro-abortion. Posted by Orrin Judd at January 30, 2006 4:24 PM
But not honest enough to call himself a Democrat.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at January 30, 2006 4:33 PMIf he were a Democrat he's support the filibuster.
Posted by: oj at January 30, 2006 4:36 PMFalsely implying that Judge Alito is anti-environment and anti-Bill of Rights is not honesty.
Posted by: Steve at January 30, 2006 4:48 PMWe're all anti-environment and anti-Bill of Rights as the Court has interpreted those things for the past sixty years.
Posted by: oj at January 30, 2006 4:51 PMA third of the Democrats are not supporting the filibuster.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at January 30, 2006 5:37 PMJust in - 72 ayes for cloture.
Posted by: erp at January 30, 2006 5:38 PMNew England Republicans do what they must to get re-elected and those of us who vote for them have to grin and bear it, or have the likes of Burt Cohen get elected:
"[...]Here's what's planned: At the moment Bush begins his State of the Union speech, at 9 PM, Tuesday January 31, the public noise begins. Their ad calls for "a cacophony of sound ...with music: from drums to violins, from hip hop to classical; and with noise: banging pots and ringing church bells, sounding car horns and lifting our voices."
Such a novel approach shows that the consent of the governed is simply not there.[...]"
Burt Cohen, 01/28/2006
http://worldcantwait.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=662&Itemid=118
I think Conrad is much more honest and honorable. He's elected to represent his constituents and he does. His personal views are his own, and he indicates he only votes the way his constituents want him to vote. Chafee can't quite admit that he will vote the way so that he may get re-elected, instead he demonizes Alito to be anti-environment and anti-Bill-of-Rights. He's a hypocrite.
Posted by: ic at January 30, 2006 5:59 PMKent Conrad of North Dakota, a moderate
Not when it comes to me keeping my money.
Posted by: AC at January 30, 2006 8:07 PMAC, North Dakota needs your money. I know. I went there once.
Posted by: jdkelly at January 31, 2006 9:34 AMAC's right. Conrad is not a moderate. If you're interested, most of his doings are tabulated here: http://takingbacknd.com/
Posted by: JT at January 31, 2006 12:22 PM