This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee is voting on the judge from Pleasantville. More inside.
The vote on Roberts as the next Chief Justice is as follows:
Chairman Specter(R) - yes. (Specter congradulates Leahy for breaking with Reid. Roberts 'considerably different' from his days working for Reagan. 'A real sense for building consensus.')
Leahy(D) - yes. (Was impressed by Roberts' thoughts on Justice Jackson.)
Feinstein(D) - no. (Extraordinary person, respect for the law but not a reasonable sense of confidence on his views. Afraid Roberts will be out of touch with most Americans. Feinstein mentions Roberts' repeated use of having no quarrel with certain pieces of legislation in relation to Thomas' confirmation testimony and his usage of the term quarrel.)
Hatch(R) - yes. (Has never seen a better nominee.)
Grassley(R) - yes. ('Truly committed to the rule of law.' We were wrong on Souter but, oh well, these things happen. Says the Dems are closer to single-issue groups than Republicans are. What about Brownback's propaganda on abortion during the Roberts hearing?)
Kennedy(D) - no. ('Cannot support nomination' of Roberts. Cites Roberts' views on equality, civil rights, women's rights, disability rights, and voting rights.)
Kohl(R) - yes. (Dissents from Kennedy's views on his perception of Roberts' testimony.)
Biden(D) - no. (Close call, but ultimately against equality and progress. Is unsure hearings are proper in nominating a Justice. Believes the American people are entitled to know their views, but has serious doubts that Roberts will hold up to some of his testimony remarks.)
DeWine(R) - yes.
Kohl(D) - yes. ('Will vote on hopes, not fears.')
The Commitee session is now back in session from its break to resume its discussion of Roberts.
Sessions(R) - yes. (Johnny boy's no activist. Hopes for 'turning point in judicial process.')
Feingold(D) - yes. (Buys Roberts' testimony that he'll exercise stare decisis.)
Graham(R) - yes. (Bush enjoys some deference in nominating a Chief Justice. Congress should just lay down and take whatever nominee we are graced to receive. Says that Scalia and Thomas were landslide confirmations, why not Roberts? 'This is the easiest vote for Republicans.' 'There will be another Democratic President, probably in my lifetime.' This will likely reverse itself in the future.)
Schumer - no. (Cites Bush's remarks that he'd nominate a justice ala Thomas and Scalia. Roberts' lack of elaboration in his testimony and the remaining documents were crucial in his decision.)
Cornyn(R) - yes. (Calls Schumer's characterization of the Right trying to overtake the judiciary the 'exact opposite of the truth.' Dissenters haunt the process of judiciary committee.)
Durbin(D) - no. (Intelligent but not wise, not balanced, not moral.)
Brownback(R) - yes. (Urges Bush to nominate a successor to O'Connor which doesn't legislate from the bench.)
Coburn(R) - yes.
Thus far, the AP notes:
Democrats including Sens. Tim Johnson of South Dakota and Max Baucus of Montana have announced their support for Roberts. Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana have indicated they are leaning toward voting for the nominee. Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota is viewed as a possible vote for him, as well.
This is an open thread for those listening/watching. CSPAN3 is airing the hearing.