TPM is reporting that George Voinovich has told reporters that he will eventually break ranks and join Democrats to support moving the Financial Reform bill to the floor for debate.
Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) told reporters today that, although he's likely not going to vote for cloture tomorrow, he'll eventually vote to begin debate if talks continue to be unproductive.
"Of course I will. We'll just get it out there and move on with it," he said. "I think they understand that. I think there's a whole bunch of people that understand that."
Voinovich may be the only Republican who is not totally on board the Republican Obstructionism express. He seems to realize that the Senate has some obligation to attempt to accomplish something.
While there may be many Republicans who should be allies in the Financial Reform efforts, it is apparent that almost all have put the political interests of the Republican Party ahead of everything else. Witness Lindsey Graham's recent petulance, where he stated his reason for withholding support for climate legislation was that moving forward with immigration reform was bad for the Republican Party. The Maine twins, who constantly profess bipartisan desires, have consistently been the biggest thorns in the side of any bipartisan effort. They have loved playing Lucy to the Democrat's Charlie Brown.
Voinovich seems to be the one Republican, who will not let Party loyalty trump all else. He will go so far, but no farther. His fiscal conservatism has been the stumbling block to joining in more Democratic efforts. But it seems to me, in other matters, he should be a bigger target for the Democrats. He was crucial in blocking John Bolton's nomination despite the Party pressure and he was famously quoted as saying the problem with the Republican Party is that we have too many Southerners. Once he goes, others will follow. Now we only have to get Ben Nelson.