Biden says Alito filibuster improbable

Joe Biden on Meet the Press:

A key Democrat said on Sunday that he expects the full Republican-led Senate to vote on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito without the threat of a Democratic filibuster. But Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware said a decision would not be made about such a possible procedural roadblock until more lawmakers meet with President George W. Bush’s conservative nominee to the nation’s highest court. “My instinct is we should commit” to an up-or-down vote by the full Senate, said Biden, a member of the Judiciary Committee. “I think the probability is that will happen.

The blogosphere responds.

Captain Ed:

Filibuster Momentum Dying Out — The political momentum of a Democratic filibuster appears to have dissipated over the weekend… caucus make it clear that a filibuster has become a dead issue: “My instinct is we should commit” to an up-or-down vote by the full Senate, said Senator Joe Biden, a member of the Judiciary Committee

Americablog:

Biden says Scalito filibuster unlikely — Biden, D-Del., minimizing prospects of a Senate filibuster that would prevent final action…Is it a little early to decide that there won’t be a filibuster? Is this the decision of the Dems…or just Biden pontificating? The right wingers were unabashed that they did not want an up-or-down on Miers …

Sisyphus Shrugged:

shutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutupshutup —

Biden, D-Del., minimizing prospects of a Senate filibuster that would prevent final action… is that will happen,” Biden said on ABC’s “This Week.” Joe. Let me walk you through this. Democrats

Heh. Aravosis tries the Miers meme, and Sisyphus just freaks out.

Bill Quick:

The Democrats can add as well as anybody, and they undestand they just don’t have the votes. The Gang of Seven RINOs are going with Alito, and the Democrats aren’t going to waste what little power they have in a futile filibuster that can’t do anything but delay Alito’s eventual confirmation, and might well lose them the ability to filibuster at all.

« Dover - Just one more nail
Riots Worsen in French Cities »