Posted on 10/05/2018 5:38:59 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Friday evening that she opposed Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, becoming the only Republican senator to come out against President Trump's nominee.
"I will be a no tomorrow," Murkowski said in a speech on the Senate floor after describing how she had come to lean against voting to confirm Trump's second nominee to the high court in a final vote on Saturday.
But Murkowski said that in the final tally she would ask that her vote be recorded as "present," saying she was doing it as a courtesy to Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who is slated to attend his daughter's wedding back home on Saturday.
"I do this because a friend, a colleague of ours is in Montana this evening and ... he's going to be walking his daughter down the aisle and he won't be present to vote," Murkowski said. "I have extended this as a courtesy to my friend. It will not change the outcome of the vote."
Murkowski, who voted against ending debate on Kavanaugh earlier in the day Friday, said during her speech on the Senate floor that she "was leaning toward supporting Judge Kavanaugh in his nomination."
"But we know that in our role of advice and consent, it is not just the record itself. There is more that is attached to it," she added, mentioning "matters of temperament" and "demeanor."
Murkowski announced her decision hours after it became clear that Kavanaugh had enough votes to be confirmed.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced during her own speech on the Senate floor earlier Friday that she would back his nomination ahead of a final vote set for Saturday afternoon.
Collins's support gave Republicans the necessary 50 votes to allow Vice President Pence to cast a tie-breaking vote if necessary. Collins was soon joined by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who said he would vote for Kavanaugh, giving him the support of 51 senators.
Murkowski said Friday night that she agreed with many of Collins's comments defending Kavanaugh, saying she didn't think he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade or represented a threat to protections for people with preexisting conditions.
But she indicated that her confidence in his nomination was not high enough to bring herself to voting for him, given controversy swirling around allegations of sexual assault leveled against the nominee.
The Alaska senator acknowledged that it appeared that Kavanaugh would be seated on the Supreme Court "without my vote."
Murkowski pointed to Kavanaugh's combative testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, saying "that appearance of impropriety has become unavoidable."
She called the bitter nomination process for Kavanaugh "horrible" and "gut-wrenching," saying it had left "good people ... needlessly hurt."
Then Mitch could hold the vote open, bring Daines back and have Pence break the tie.
But it’s not likely Murk will change. She made a deal and has to keep her end to collect.
The idea is to elect Kav by two votes so he won’t be the firat Justice approved by just one vote since 1881!
The media would love to run that story.
That f’n Daines better be there—I don’t trust any one of the f-tards!!
Senator McConnell needs to remove her as the Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman asap. It’s the right thing to do.
Real courageous of you, Senator Switzerland. [/sarc]
If I understand it correctly, it is intended to be a courtesy to Daines to let Daines stay longer at his daughter’s wedding. The margin of winning will remain the same (one vote). It would be something like 50 to 48 instead of 51 to 49.
I think the winning margin could still grow between now and the approval vote since everyone is now committed and senators still have time to switch sides so long as the approval outcome is not changed. I don’t think Daines coming back and voting once Murkowski votes present would be a good idea since it would to some degree decrease institutional trust in McConnell along with any Republican successor. However Murkowski’s reasoning seems weak enough that it seems to me conceivable that her mindset could be swayed in the direction of Kavanaugh in the final vote. This could be some kind of low grade kabuki. Another way Murkowski could be swayed is if Trump intervened with a carrot or a stick. If so someone ought to make sure Murkowski understands what is going on since she seems as dumb as a rock.
As far as Feinstein strongarming her, my own thinking of the publicized photos of their discussion should not be over-analyzed. In some videos Feinstein seems to sway from one side to another. This makes me wonder if Feinstein has a problem with her legs— specifically her hips. Anyone know more details of her physical condition? I did not watch the entire bombast body language video but imho the possibility of an ambulatory-related physical ailment should be taken into consideration when trying to analyze Feinstein’s body language. Hip arthritis, knee problems, plantar fascitis, etc.
Yes I know. I live 13 miles from Maine.
It cracks me up when people here demand she be replaced by a “real conservative”. If she gets replaced, it will be by a communist.
That picture of ChiDiFi dressing down a cowering Murk is a career ender.
If you're worried about Kavanaugh voting against something you hold dear and overturning legislation from SCOTUS, do what your job is and put in the enabling legislation or amendments.
I know your works. You are neither cold with apathy nor hot with passion. It would be better if you were one or the other, but you are neither. So because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
— Rev. 3:15-16
this !!!!!!!!!!! remove her from any committee!
Are you sure you're a professional, and if so, a professional what? The poster was referring to Daines as evidenced by the comment....
The dude gets paid to do one thing: vote.
And he's out when needed the most.
If it were Murkowski that the poster was referring to, why say that he/she would be out during the vote when it's clear that Murkowski will vote present.
The article mentions Murkowski's rationale for voting present, hence the comment by the poster you felt needed correcting.
“collect” what?
Litmus test on how people will vote on a specific issue is an horrible way to perform this constitutional role
Well put.
Yes, and you watch John’s Testicles will now run ads saying “see, this is what you get when you vote for a Republican.” Daines should be ashamed! Mandatory weekend work is part of the job description.
Also, Murk "pairing" her vote assures that there will be a Quorum. 51 Senators.
Paul KaneVerified account @pkcapitol
“When less than a quorum votes, but the addition of names of Senators present and paired and announcing votes made a quorum, the vote is valid.” Riddick’s Senate Procedure, p. 1431."
Otherwise the Dems and Murk could walk out and there wouldn't be a quorum to vote. (Unless my math is off.)
The man won't vote on possibly the most important vote of his lifetime because of his daughter's wedding. ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?!?!
Sen. Steve Daines - charter a private jet to get you to and from DC - or better yet - change your daughter's wedding date. Your daughter can get married on any day. Move the wedding date. There are bigger fish to fry here brother !!! The Kavanaugh vote is SATURDAY! Do what you were elected to do man!
Murkowski made her choice, let her stand by herself and take the slings and arrows from public. She's corrupt, shameless, power hungry, and a fool.
The GOP should shun her and after the mid-terms, strip her of her unearned seniority and committee posts, and move her office into the hallway. And if the merest taint of collusion with Feinstein touches her, publish for the world to see.
FOFL!!
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