Which Republicans can we flip on Alito?

[Walt Starr]

Chaffee is already waivering into opposing the nominee:

http://chafee.senate.gov/releases/Alito_statement.pdf

We might eb able to pick up Snowe and Collins, too. Specter is possible as well.

Assuming that Jeffords will oppose as well, and hopefully the Dems stay on board, that'll leave just one more Republican required.

If we can reach 51 votes against, a filibuster is unnecessary.

[papau]

1. Two Pro-Choice GOP Senators from Maine?

?

:-)

[Walt Starr]

6. Graham, Warner, and DeWine are already on the record

That leaves potential flips from Snowe, Collins, Chaffee, and McCain. Hopefully Specter will join in, too.

[AllyCat]

12. What do you mean already on the record?

They have said they will oppose Alito? I missed this.

Isn't Warner a Dem?

[Walt Starr]

15. No, they have said they would go nuclear. n/t

[AllyCat]

19. Graham...I thought he didn't really like the Shrub that much. Oh well nt

[Walt Starr]

20. HE doesn't, but he has gone on teh record as stating

there are no extraordinary circumstances here.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. I hope so. If they go for him I will have to go to their houses and yell

at them. A lot.

[WI_DEM]

2. Specter always talks a good game and then votes for the person

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. He did oppose Bork

[WI_DEM]

10. he was also one of Thomas' biggest defenders

and has been praising Alito.

[Tesha]

3. None. For Republicans, party loyalty trumps all. (NT)

[yellowcanine]

5. McCain and Hagel might be on board against the nuclear option.

I doubt if either one would vote against Alito outright, though you never can tell about McCain. If he decides he isn't likely to get the 08 nomination anyway anything is possible.

[rox63]

7. I read that McCain would vote to go nuclear

But I'm trying to remember where I read it.

[MidwestTransplant]

9. If McCain is serious about running for Pres. he will vote

nuclear option if his vote is important and will 100% vote for Alito.

[yellowcanine]

16. McCain will be 71 in 08. I If elected and reelected he would be 79

by the end of his second term and he doesn't strike me as all that healthy to start with. I don't think he will run. His time was 2000 and it has passed.

[Burning Water]

21. This is true.

No Republican Senator who departs from the party line on this issue will ever win the party's nomination. An elephant never forgets and GOP elephants are particularly vindictive and unforgiving.

[obreaslan]

8. None. Repugs don't flip...

That's why they win and we don't. Unfortunately. :(

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. Even if one Republican flips

Leiberman (for one) will cancel it out. My point is, we also have to make damned certain about each and every one of our guys, too.

[rox63]

14. Don't forget Ben Nelson and Mary Landreiu

They love *'s nominees for just about any office.

[Walt Starr]

18. Landrieu has signaled she may go with the rest of the Dems on this

I don't think she's very pleased with the GOP since Katrina. She'd probably do just about anything to make * look bad since he shat on her in her home state.

[Norquist Nemesis]

22. Those two worry me a great deal

I can see the CONS cutting backroom deals with Landrieu over New Orleans; she's desperate to help her state in the wake of Katrina and not getting a whole lot of support from the other side of the aisle. If they give her a sweet enough deal, well...

Pryor is another one who worries me more than Nelson though. I just hope the veterans are working on them to hold strong and unified.

Fact is, different Senators will look at different issues. Where reproductive rights is an issue with one, the commerce clause is an issue with another. The staff research needs to uncover all of the issues. Then, the leadership needs to designate people who will take a specific issue and match the senators to them lobbying with arguments against Alito. JMHO.

[Walt Starr]

17. NARAL gave Lieberman a 100% on the issue of Choice

I think we can definitely count on Lieberman here. My only concerns are Pryor and Nelson.

[Norquist Nemesis]

23. It's not just choice

It's also executive powers and commerce clause. I'm not sure of Lieberman's stand on these things. He may very well be willing to let the reproductive rights record (which has Alito voting both ways) go, and support Alito's views on Ex Powers or something else.