So what's the deal with our Republican Senator?
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), the third ranking GOPer in the Senate, announced today that he is breaking with party leaders to support Judge Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the nation's highest court.
He said that he is backing Pres. Obama's first appointee to the SCOTUS even though he differs with her rulings in gun cases.
"Even though Judge Sotomayor's political and judicial philosophy may be different than mine, especially regarding Second Amendments rights, I will vote to confirm her because she is well qualified by experience, temperament, character and intellect to serve," Alexander said in a speech on the Senate floor, reports the AP.
Alexander becomes the sixth Republican to endorsed the president's pick. He follows Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Olympia Snowe (ME), Lindsey Graham (SC), Dick Lugar (IN) and Mel Martinez (FL).
Ailing Sens. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Robert Byrd (D-WV) are not expected to make it to Washington for the vote. If the remaining members vote along party lines, which remains to be seen as at least a couple Dems –– notably Ben Nelson (NE) and Mark Begich (AK) –– have indicated they're undecided, the final vote would be 64-34.
John Roberts was confirmed as chief justice in '05 by a vote of 78-22. The '06 vote for Samuel Alito was tighter, 58-42, following a failed filibuster attempt.