Left confident as Senate opens Lieberman-Warner debate

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June 3, 1:56 PM

by , Tapscott's Copy Desk

 

 

A National Wildlife Federation spokesman is spinning Monday's 74-14 Senate vote to bring up for debate the Lieberman-Warner global warming proposal as evidence that opposition to the cap and trade nightmare is rapidly falling apart:

"Nevertheless, Minority Leader McConnell launched a strategy of delaying the serious debate and votes on amendments to this legislation by forcing 30 hours of debate before the first votes begin. The stall tactics are a sure sign that the minority leader intends to make Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid choose between a lengthy floor fight on global warming and other pressing senate bills before the Fourth of July recess. 

"While the debate about the Climate Security Act is still up in the air, with both sides uncertain how close the bill is to the 60 needed to overcome a filibuster, one thing is clear: the senators willing to side with Sen. Inhofe, who infamously claimed global warming was a "hoax," is down to 14. Republicans deserted Sen. Inhofe and Minority Leader McConnell in droves.  

"The 14 senators backing the roadblock strategy were: Byrd, Bunning, Shelby, Craig, DeMint, Hatch, Enzi, Barasso, Sessions, Coburn, Kyl, McConnell, Allard, and Inhofe. For a roll call by state, go here. 

"The huge number of senators willing to open debate shows how critical this week's amendments will be. Dozens of senators could be swayed. As the National Wildlife Federations Jeremy Symons said, 'The fence is so crowded you can hear it creaking.'"

Is Grant whistling in the dark or do opponents of Lieberman-Warner face much less encouraging prospects for stopping the measure in the Senate than they profess?

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