Judge John Roberts Watch: Nomination Clears Senate Judiciary Committee

Ranking Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (R), speaks in favor of the nomination of John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during the Senate Judiciary Committee mark-up hearings on Capitol Hill, September 22, 2005. Listening to Leahy are from L-R: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Arlen Specter (R-PA).

The ASSociated Press has Roberts Nomination Sent to Full Senate.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved John Roberts’ nomination as the next Supreme Court chief justice, virtually assuring his confirmation by the Senate next week.

Three Democrats joined the committee’s 10 majority Republicans in a 13-5 vote to advance the conservative judge’s nomination to the full Senate.

The three Democrats who voted for Judge Robert’s are:

Herb Kohl of Wisconsin

Patrick Leahy of Vermont

The five Democrats who voted against confirmation are:

Joe Biden of Delaware

Charles Shumer of New York

Feinstein told a packed Judiciary Committee hearing room that her vote was decided after Roberts refused to fully answer questions from her and other Democrats in his confirmation hearing last week.

“I knew as little about what Judge Roberts really thought about issues after the hearings as I did before the hearing. This makes it very hard for me,” said Feinstein, an abortion rights supporter.

“I cannot in good conscience cast a ‘yea’ vote,” she said. “I will cast a ‘no’ vote.”

DiFi had no rationale except “I do not know you, John”.

The senior Senator from California is definitely slowing down and at 73 will she make it through another term?

And who cares what Kennedy, Biden and Durbin have to say? They would vote NO for any nominee by a Republican President.

Stay tuned for the next nomination – Flap handicaps an announcement tomorrow afternoon around 3PM Eastern.

Tehnorati Tags: John Roberts, Supreme Court, Patrick Leahy, Dianne Feinstein