This afternoon Sen. John Kerry has been trying to organize a filibuster against confirmation of Sam Alito. Kerry needs 41 votes. I just heard on CNN that Majority Leader Frist will call for cloture on Monday; Frist will need 60 votes.
According to CNN,
Nearly all 55 Republican senators have said they will vote for Alito. Only three Democrats — Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota — have said they will vote for the nominee.
Earlier Thursday, Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana said she would oppose a filibuster.
Landrieu hasn’t said how she will vote, I don’t believe.
Bob Fertik at Democrats.com is sorting out which other Dems might be wobbly. Likely suspects:
Tom Carper (DE)
Kent Conrad (ND)
Byron Dorgan (ND)
Blanche Lincoln (AR)
Mark Pryor (AR)
Daniel Inouye (HI)
Joseph I. Lieberman (CT)
Bob says Ken Salazar (CO) has spoken out against the filibuster, but we don’t know how he will vote.
Beside the Dems, three other Senators are on the fence as of this afternoon: Olympia Snowe of Maine, Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Ted Stevens of Alaska have not yet announced support for Alito.
Bob says: “Use these toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. If you can’t get through, look up your Senator’s District Office number in your phone book or here.
Do it tomorrow! Final decisions will be made this weekend!














