Update [2005-9-21 11:29:52 by Armando]: Leahy surrenders. Will vote yes on Roberts. Depressing betrayal. This signals that many Blue State Dems plan to vote yes. Incredibly stupid and HARMFUL to the next fight in my opinion. I will detail why I think so in a later post.
Update [2005-9-21 10:16:19 by Armando]: By Armando. I am shocked. Aren't you?Gear up those campaign ads
Chafee told the Providence Journal that he will vote for Roberts even though he has been concerned that Roberts would try to restrict, or get rid of, legal abortion.
The senator explained his decision by noting that Roberts would replace another opponent of abortion, the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Given that, Roberts' addition to the court should not disturb the narrow majority that favors legal abortion, Chafee said.
The questions are, at least in reference to Chafee:
- Will this hurt him with Rhode Island voters? They have elected liberal senators for years, but their current governor, Carcieri, is socially conservative and popular.
- How much will this help Whitehouse or Brown?
- Will NARAL rescind their endorsement, or are they going to wait and see how he votes on O'Connor's replacement?
He seems to be hinting that he may not vote for O'Connor's replacement if he/she/it is anti-abortion.
Chafee said his decision would have been tougher if Roberts was replacing retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. O'Connor has been a swing vote in abortion and other privacy-related cases.
This also pretty makes it pretty likely that Olympia Snowe will go along, since Collins and Specter are also supporting Roberts. So that gives him the full 55, if that was ever in doubt.