Dave Kranz states the obvious today when he notes in his Argus Leader column that some Democrats are not happy about Senator Johnson's vote in favor of Judge Alito:
When Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson said last week that he would vote to confirm Judge Samuel Alito for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, Clark Butler of Sioux Falls, a World War II veteran and staunch Democrat, went to his computer and rifled off a brief e-mail message to his long list of contacts.
“For a very short time, South Dakota had three Democrats in D.C. We now have three Republicans.”
Johnson’s political army takes differing attitudes on his Alito vote.
It was either the safe way out, further cushioning himself from a tough re-election battle in 2008, or it was doing what he believed was the right thing.
Johnson explained his support this way: “... I must conclude that Judge Alito possesses a high level of legal skill, is a man of solid personal integrity, and that his views fall within the mainstream of contemporary conservative jurisprudential thinking. At the conclusion of Senate floor debate, I will oppose any effort to filibuster his nomination, and I will vote to confirm Judge Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court.”
Jennifer Duffy, Senate analyst with the Cook Political Report, says Johnson is smart – he understands the implications and risks that come with being a Democratic senator from South Dakota in this political environment.
“It’s hard to think of a reason for him not to vote for Alito. He is qualified. He did well in the hearings, and a vote against him simply looks partisan,” Duffy said.
Everything Johnson does is viewed through 2008 model glasses now.
“Every vote he makes is relevant. This is a high-stakes vote. Every vote plays into the re-election,” she said.
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