TPM: Dem Aide: Fate Of DADT Rests With Susan Collins

[dennis4868]

Maine's junior Senator, the Republican Susan Collins, has the power to end the military's ban on openly gay soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen today -- or the ability to crush the hopes of those hoping to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell this year, according to a Democratic leadership aide. It's her choice, says the Senate Democratic aide, who has direct knowledge of the talks leading up to today's planned cloture vote on the defense spending bill that contains the repeal language.

The aide says supporters of repeal have all the votes they need to move the bill to a final vote, save for Collins, who has been the focus of a coordinated campaign to shift her position by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and President Obama, who the aide said called Collins yesterday to lobby her on DADT.

All three have attempted to get Collins to budge from her position that a cloture vote on the defense bill must be preceded by unlimited debate, which in Senate parlance means any Senator -- including the many vocal opponents of DADT repeal -- could offer a "non-germane amendment" (the aide suggested repeal of the health care law as an example) that would shut down debate and prevent a final vote on DADT. The aide said that an unlimited debate process would be all but unprecedented on a defense spending bill, and amounts to an "unreasonable demand" on Collins' part.

More here....http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/dem-aide-fate-of-dadt-rests-with-susan-collins.php?ref=fpa

I am sure DU will blame Obama if Collins does not come around on this and votes to repeal DADT....Perhaps Obama should have ordered the military to attack Maine until Collins gave into Obama? IT'S BLAME OBAMA FOR EVERYTHING HERE AT DU 24/7!

[asjr]

1. She will consult her hero Mccain before voting.

[Pisces]

2. She said if tax cuts passed for the rich she would vote for DADT

[bigwillq]

3. It's always been "blame the president"

since the beginning of presidents! ;) I don't understand why some are so sensitive when Obama is criticized.

Do the right thing, Susan.

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. This question of whom DU will attack is not productive

I will say that Obama should immediately pull the appeals until the DAB passes should they filibuster it again. It's clearly a constitutionally unsettled issue at this point.

[27inCali]

5. she's handing her seat away really

I forget which of the two is up for re-election next cycle. But it's stuff like this that get's moderate pigs the boot in Liberal states.