During the 108th Congress (2003-2004), Republicans held 51 seats. Those 51 Republicans, plus Zell Miller, voted for cloture on the 7 nominees in question 100% of the time (when present). But there was one other Democratic Senator besides Zell who consistently voted for cloture (10 of 11 times). Can you guess who is was?
Freshman Ben Nelson (D-NE).
More after the break...
Only two other Democrats defected on any of the 11 votes, and only on the "Clinton payback" filibusters (
Blanche Lincoln twice and
Joe Biden once). But what are we to make of Nelson's voting record, and the deal he's reported to be working on right now, which serves ostensibly to preserve the filibuster, though Nelson has shown next to no willingness to use it? The Nelson deal
does include upholding the Saad filibuster, which was the only one Nelson supported in the 108th congress. He has said that he opposed Saad because "he was not allowed to read Saad's background files and because both Michigan senators strongly opposed the nomination" (
Lincoln Journal Star, Jan. 6, 2005). But despite his stellar record, Nelson is still listed among 6 Democratic Senators whom James Dobson wants to target over judges in the 2006 election, as seen in mailings early this year to Focus on the Family members.
Cloture vote rundown from THOMAS:
Priscilla Owen
PN11-108, January 07, 2003
May 01, 2003 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 44.
May 08, 2003 - Second cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45.
July 29, 2003 - Third cloture motion not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43.
November 14, 2003 - 4th Motion on cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 42.
Willam Pryor
PN512-108, April 09, 2003
July 31, 2003 - 1st cloture vote not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44.
November 06, 2003 - 2nd cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 43.
William Myers
PN658-108, May 15, 2003
July 20, 2004 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44.
Janice Rodgers Brown
PN839-108, July 25, 2003
November 14, 2003 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43.
Henry Saad
PN14-108, January 07, 2003
July 22, 2004 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 46.
Richard Griffin
PN7-108, January 07, 2003
July 22, 2004 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 44.
David McKeague
PN9-108, January 07, 2003
July 22, 2004 - Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44.
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