a cloture walk with thee

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Jan 31, 2006

The Left understands -- and, in moments of candor, admits -- that the attempt to block Alito's nomination was a "Filibuster for Choice." Yesterday's cloture vote was, in effect, a gauge of the senators' willingness to defend abortion. The roll call provides an instructive footnote to Jody Bottum's essay on the evaporation of the political influence of the Catholic hierarchy. Here's the scorecard for states containing a cardinalatial see:

California: 2 senators against cloture.
Illinois: 2 senators against cloture.
Maryland: 2 senators against cloture.
Michigan: 2 senators against cloture.
New York: 2 senators against cloture.
Pennsylvania: 0 senators against cloture.

In the case of Pennsylvania, both senators are Republicans. Other Catholics among the 25 senators voting against cloture were Kerry, Kennedy, Biden, Dodd, Leahy, and Murray. Viewed in terms of legislative history, legalized abortion on demand has proven to be the sole enduring legacy of Catholic politicians in the United States. Small wonder they're panicky at the Alito threat.

Update: Thanks to commenter frjimc for correcting my cloture!