The greatest disappointment of these Alito proceedings is the inability for the Democrats to persuade any Republican Senators to join in the dissent of Bush’s right-wing choice to sit on America’s highest court. It is not altogether surprising that nobody wanted to vote against their party and their leader, at the risk of losing RSCC or RNC money, but that didn’t stop us from at least holding out hope.

Yesterday, Survey USA released their Senate rankings. Two of the five highest rated Senators are the two GOP Senators from Maine, Snowe (2) and Collins (4). It would have been nice to see one or both of them abandon their party to send their renegade leaders a message. They can’t stand to lose too much given their local popularity. It was no surprise to see that faux-moderate Arlen Spector (56) refused to support his own Pro-Choice stance, and align with his party, but nonetheless, it was a reaffirmation that even if you are named a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only), you are still a Republican.

In the words of the former Democratic Representative from Texas Sam Rayburn, “Son, if you can’t take their money, drink their whiskey, screw their women, and then vote against ‘em, you don’t deserve to be here.”

Politicalwire reports today that Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) is preparing to lead a filibuster against the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito (RRR-NJ). Sen. Kerry promised back in June of 2003 that he would filibuster any nominee to the Supreme Court who would threaten Roe.

We’ll see how far he gets. Go Johnny Go!

“I am prepared to filibuster, if necessary, any Supreme Court nominee who would turn back the clock on a woman’s right to choose or the constitutional right to privacy, on civil rights and individual liberties and on the laws protecting workers and the environment.”

– Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), quoted by the AP, June 20, 2003.