As the confirmation of John Roberts draws near, we're beginning to see how Democrats and Republicans will vote for him. Most of us figured that the Dems would play nice with Roberts and stifle the next nominee, all the while touting how fair they were with Roberts. With that in mind, it came as a shock when Senate Leader Harry Reid announced that he would NOT vote for Judge Roberts.
And then we have this:
"President Bush has produced a nominee that probably qualifies, and I would support him."
No, this isn't a sudden change of heart for Reid. That quote comes from Tom Daschle in today's Argus Leader, the man who HAND PICKED Reid as his successor. Although this should be a major story, the Argus only gives it one sentence in paragraph 14 of a story.
The political implications are huge. Reid is Daschle's direct successor as Senate Leader, but not even the guy who hand-picked him is supporting his position. It's also quite obvious that Reid is a prisoner of leftist interest groups:
"The Senate Democratic Leader, Harry Reid Of Nevada, Said ... That He Would Oppose The Confirmation Of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. As Chief Justice, Surprising Both The White House And Fellow Democrats Still Conflicted About How To Vote." (Sheryl Gay Stolberg and David D. Kirkpatrick, "Top Democrat Says He'll Vote No On Roberts," The New York Times, 9/21/05)
"'He Got The Message Loud And Clear, Didn't He?' Kim Gandy, President Of The National Organization For Women, Said Of Mr. Reid On Tuesday." (Sheryl Gay Stolberg and David D. Kirkpatrick, "Top Democrat Says He'll Vote No On Roberts," The New York Times, 9/21/05)
"[R]eid Moved [To Oppose Roberts] Under Pressure From Liberal Activists, Who Were Demanding The Democratic Leadership Take A Strong Stand Against Roberts." ("Reid Says He Will Vote Against Roberts On Senate Floor," The Frontrunner, 9/21/05)
UPDATE I: Captain's Quarters has picked up the story:
So far, it looks more like Daschle will swing towards the center. Today he endorsed the confirmation of John Roberts for the Supreme Court, according to the Argus Leader and South Dakota Politics, undermining Harry Reid's leadership in the Senate and the obstructionism Daschle once promoted.
UPDATE II: Daschle's endorsement isn't only undercutting Reid:
John Kerry, the former Democratic presidential nominee, on Wednesday joined his collegue from Massachusetts, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, in saying he would vote no. Senator Jon Corzine, Democrat of New Jersey, said he would vote no, as did Senator Barbara Boxer, . . .
UPDATE III: More Daschle talk here, here, and SDP is quoted here.
UPDATE IV: Wizbang blog is noting our story.
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