A dissenting vote would cost GOP big time

February 5, 10:37 PMCongress ExaminerIgor Derysh

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As the Senate prepares to vote on the controversial economic stimulus bill, the Republican Party prepares to choose its fate as a single dissenting vote by a single Republican senator would cost the GOP any and all power that it might still have.

For all its faults, the stimulus entails numerous positive qualities and could lead some Senators, especially the likes of Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) who are up for re-election in 2010 in states that Obama won, to vote in favor of the bill.

One such vote could cripple any chance that the Republican's might have at influence in Washington in a Senate where, after Al Franken is declared the winner in Minnesota again, one vote makes all the difference.

With the White House gone and little hope of regaining it in 2012 with the meager candidate pool preparing to run for the Republican nomination and the House of Representatives gone to a margin that makes the Republicans all but window dressing, the constant threat of a Republican filibuster in the Senate is the only way that the Republicans can hope to exert influence on legislation on the Capitol.

Fifteen Republicans are up for re-election in 2010 although many expect Senators like Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jim Bunning (R-KY), and Bob Bennett (R-UT) to retire.

Two key players who are up for re-election in 2010 to watch are the above mentioned long-term Senator Arlen Specter and Richard Burr. Both Senators represent moderate states that Obama carried in the Presidential election, winning Specter's Pennsylvania by more than 600,000 votes and Burr's North Carolina by some 15,000 votes.

Though not up for re-election any time soon, some moderate Republicans who could cross over to vote with the Democrats include Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, retiring Ohio Senator George Voinovich, and retiring Missouri Senator Kit Bond.

The retiring senators are interesting to watch because they will have more ability to vote with their hearts and not with their party affiliation for the next two years. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Whip John Kyl will have their hands full attempting to keep their party united.