Cloture Vote In Process
The Senate is holding their cloture vote as I post this. So far, the Democrats have gotten four Republicans to cross the aisle -- John Warner, Chuck Hagel, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins. Joe Lieberman crossed from the Democratic caucus, making a net of 3 for the Democrats -- and they need a net 10.
Norm Coleman crossed. Dems +4. This surprises me; Coleman told us specifically that he supported the surge in Anbar, and this resolution makes no mention of supporting that portion of the operation. It's a major disappointment.
1:19 PM CT - Cloture fails, 56-34. The resolution has been withdrawn by Harry Reid.
UPDATE: The AP reports this as "Republicans foiled a Democratic attempt to rebuke President Bush".
UPDATE II: Allahpundit has this update:
The only Republicans to vote with the Dems last time were Coleman and Susan Collins. Joining them today: John Warner, Olympia Snowe, Arlen Specter, Chuck Hagel, and Gordon Smith. Not voting: McCain, who was out campaigning, Lisa Murkowski, Bob Bennett, Thad Cochran, Bob Corker, Kit Bond, John Ensign, Jon Kyl, Orrin Hatch, and of course Tim Johnson, who’s still recuperating from his stroke. All are Republicans except Johnson. Reid was hoping to get Lamar Alexander and Larry Craig to cross the aisle, since both are up for reelection in two years and were rumored to be wavering, but he couldn’t pull it off.
I was having a tough time following the vote during my radio prep, and I missed Specter and Smith. I'd like to know where the other Republicans were today, but in truth they couldn't have helped, and could have thrown in the towel with the rest of the White Flag Republicans.
Posted by Ed Morrissey on February 17, 2007 12:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (3)
