Republican Opposition Crumbling--Lugar To Support Johnsen
So much is in flux right now that it's hard to keep everything straight, but here's an important update. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) will support the nomination of Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. Johnsen is a professor at Indiana University--one of Lugar's constituents--and, as such, it makes sense that Lugar would be a swing vote.
Assuming nobody in the Democratic caucus (save, perhaps, it's newest member) chooses to obstruct, that leaves Democrats one vote shy of the 60-votes needed to break a potential Republican filibuster. And that doesn't account for the fact that a number of Republicans (moderates, and others who are on the record opposing the filibuster of presidential nominees) have yet to break silence.
Earlier today once and current Democrat Arlen Specter said he opposes Johnsen's nomination, but his staff was unable to confirm just yet whether that means he'd support a filibuster or not.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Assuming nobody in the Democratic caucus...
Er... didn't this just pop up in the news last week:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/04/24/ben-nelson-dawn-johnsen
John
April 28, 2009 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's hard to believe Obama would bless Specter's switch -- and promise to campaign for him in 2010 -- without extracting in exchange a promise not to filibuster his (and his party's) own nominee. That is, unless Obama doesn't really give a rat's ass about Johnsen, and would just as soon see her withdraw.
Which might be expedient, given Obama's increasingly obvious distaste for the torture/war crimes controversy, But letting a feeble gasbag like Specter publicly spit in your face after you've saved his political career doesn't exactly encourage respect, much less fear.
April 28, 2009 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
gift horse in the mouth?
April 28, 2009 9:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
A little bitter for you peterprinciple????
April 29, 2009 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
The working assumption is that since Nelson opposes filibusters on principle, he won't change that position in a stupid attempt to make right wingers happy. So he'll hopefully vote for cloture then against the nominee.
There are at least a few other Republicans with the same poistion on filibusters, esp. with regards to legal counsel, so hopefully Koh and Johnsen will be confirmed soon.
April 28, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Further info - Nelson voted for Sebelius' confirmation despite her being targeted by the same anti-choice groups and being supported by NARAL, the supposed basis of his opposition to Johnsen. I don't know why Johnsen is more of an issue, but still I'd bet Nelson won't support a fillibuster in the end.
April 28, 2009 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
What good is it to have Specter in the Dem party if he is not going to deliver on anything. Hope Biden extracted at least an ounce of flesh from the guy. It can't be all about him!
April 28, 2009 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
You don't know that he won't deliver. I think he will definitely deliver on health care and that's a big one.
April 29, 2009 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Time to do one of your customary flipflops, Arlen.
April 28, 2009 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Al Franken must be pissed.
I know I would be.
April 28, 2009 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Arlene Specter will not agree to filibuster but will not vote for Johnsen. Specter was for Card Check before he was against it...It's called a little tweak to the program and puff he signs on to it. I will bet a photo of Whiskey on this one.
April 29, 2009 1:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Arlen is never driven by conviction. So if the right carrot is dangled, Specter will vote for anything.
April 29, 2009 1:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
The worlds burns, as the Republican Party fiddles.
Can anyone even envision, what would it be like, to have Palin, Bachmann, and the whole gang in charge?
I for one am glad I voted Democratic 2008.
April 29, 2009 10:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
So am I glad you voted Democratic in 2008. And no I can't imagine Palin and Bachmann and the rest of the gang in power. It would be like death or worse than death actually
April 29, 2009 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kudos to Lugar!!! Thank you
April 29, 2009 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink