START looks to be a "done deal." Third-ranking Senate Republican (Alexander) now on board.

[jefferson_dem]

Third-ranking Senate Republican to vote to ratify New START
By Michael O'Brien - 12/21/10 09:38 AM ET

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said on Tuesday that he would vote in favor of the New START treaty, making the deal's Senate ratification all but certain.

Alexander became the highest-ranking member of the Senate Republican leadership to come out in favor of the nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia. His two superiors, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), have said they'll vote against New START.

"I will vote to ratify the New START treaty...because it leaves our country with enough nuclear warheads to blow anyone to kingdom come," said Alexander, the third-ranking Republican, said on the Senate floor.

Alexander said that the support from former military and diplomatic officials -- including many Republicans -- helped push him toward supporting ratification.

The treaty picked up momentum after a closed-door session on Monday in which senators were allowed to confidentially discuss the treaty and receive a briefing on it.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/134623-third-ranking-senate-republican-to-vote-to-ratify-new-start

[rucky]

1. It's amazing what can happen when you call Mitch McConnell a liar.

When he lies.

[jefferson_dem]

2. True that! Methinks McConnell-Kyl-Graham are feeling rather lonely right now...

Bwahahahaha...

[karynnj]

4. According to Politico, they might be psuhing a face saving amendment

to the ratification document - not the treaty - restating what Obama has said on missile defense. A part of me hopes it doesn't happen, but I suspect that as it is what Obama agreed to in November, they will just accept it into the document. It is not clear it does anything, but they will argue they strengthened our missile defense. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46655.html

(and they would likely plug their ears, if anyone reminded them that it failed a simple test on Saturday.)

[Kdillard]

3. Excellent.

[Renew Deal]

5. Don't mess with their Christmas holiday

:D

[jefferson_dem]

6. Rich Lowry: "Republican opposition to New START is collapsing...a dismaying rout."

HaHa!

Collapse

December 21, 2010 10:25 A.M. By Rich Lowry

Republican opposition to New START is collapsing. One Senate source just told me the vote for ratification could go as high as 75. Another said, “I don’t know if it will get that high, but it’s starting to tick up there.” As the sense builds that ratification is inevitable, Republicans are lining up to get on the “right side.” Lamar Alexander’s support, noted below, is a crucial sign of which way the wind is blowing, although he’ll probably be the only member of the Republican leadership to vote for it. At least Jon Kyl was able to get more money for modernization and that letter from President Obama making assurances on missile defense. Otherwise, this is a dismaying rout.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/255751/collapse-rich-lowry

[wisteria]

8. And where is DeMint? Hiding in a closet? He was the first obstructionist. n/t

[wisteria]

7. I save the applauses for when it does pass. I am still nervous about this. n/t

[budkin]

9. Can't wait to see Mitch the Bitch meltdown