Are there ANY gop Senators we can count on to help stop the nuclear

[Pepperbelly]

option on fillibusters?

We have 44 votes.


We would need 7 to save the fillibuster.

I am thinking Snowe, Collins, Chaffee, Specter, maybe Smith. Any others?

[charlie]

1. Probably McCain too

He's noted dryly that he'd support the rule change if he thought Republicans would be in the majority forever.

[s-cubed]

2. byrd?

[Pepperbelly]

3. already counted. a democrat. nt

[Donna Zen]

4. The "evil" sisters

Although folks at DU often refer to them as "moderate" republicans, Snowe and Collins put the party first and have very mixed records. Of the two, Collins is most likely to do Frist's bidding, even if means jumping poor jomentum's bones. Snowe, well one cannot be sure. When push comes to the gravy-train shove, both will follow the party. I can just hear them blathering: Something had to be done to end this partisan "gridlock" so that the people of America and Maine can expect to have their needs met.

I receive absolutely wacky replies from these two.

Of those listed, only Chaffee may vote against the option. (IMHO)

[charlie]

5. Maybe Warner

“Put me down as undecided,” Warner said, noting his opposition to the filibusters but adding, “I’m not sure the rules change is in the best long-term interest.”

http://www.independentjudiciary.org/news/clip.cfm?NewsClipID=312

He said this in September though, when Repubs were nervous about a Kerry win. He might feel differently now, with an assured 4 years of Republican hegemony ahead.

[quaoar]

6. The best bet for crossovers

would be from Republicans who have been in the Senate long enough to respect its traditions and are secure enough not to have to worry about re-election or who may be considering retiring anyway.

The biggest argument against this -- from a GOP standpoint -- is that it will one day come around to bite them in the ass when they are no longer in the majority.

[IStriker]

7. Probably McCain and Hagel

[IStriker]

8. You only counted 44 votes. Make that 45 to start...

Jeffords will vote with us for sure, so you only need 6 more.