Senate tax vote comes down to the wire

[NewJerseyDem]

Swing votes are Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Ben Nelson!!!

http://www.thehill.com/news/031004/taxvote.aspx

President Bush is urging Republicans to hold firm in support of his push for an $80 billion tax cut in this year’s budget despite signs that the bipartisan coalition that steered three major tax cuts through the Senate in the last three years has weakened.

“Everyone’s scraping , and everyone’s uncertain of what they’re going to do,” said Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), who was instrumental in brokering the previous tax cut packages.

Like many of his colleagues, Breaux predicted the vote, which could occur as early as tomorrow, will be very close.

Presidential politics accompanied the issue to the Senate floor as the Democrats’ all-but-official presidential nominee, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, said he will return from the campaign trail for the vote.

[lastknowngood]

1. If we had a democrat in Breaux's place it would not be as close

n/t

[NewJerseyDem]

2. I think Breaux is voting against the tax cut

The only "democrat" voting for it is Zell Miller. While Lincoln Chafee and John McCain are voting against it. Collins, Snowe, and democrat Nelson (NE) are undecided.

[flaminbats]

10. I think they will split down partisan lines...

with Ben Nelson voting against this one and the two Maine Senators voting for it.

[whistle]

3. Just let the re-pugs ram that one through on their own efforts...

...as well as any turn-coat democrats. Where does Zell Miller fit into this vote?

[neverforget]

4. Whatever Bush wants, Zell Miller delivers his vote.

:puke:

[gasperc]

5. they are just dying to run ads on this

look Kerry voted against tax cuts, good God they are just so fucking sure their one note tune is going to ride them to victory right after they completely bankrupt the country

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. That note has been playing for 24 years now.

Dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink, dink.




Their dirty little secret is that Reagan and Poppy also presided over a couple of the largest tax increases in American history.

[jab105]

7. Bush isn't the smartest cookie...us vs. them, with us or against us...

in this case, daddy lost because he raised taxes, reverse...he thinks he's going to win because he's lowering taxes...

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

8. Isn't this what a fillibuster is for?

Daschle, what are you doing?

[NewJerseyDem]

9. Not really

You can't filibuster the budget. This is actually a vote on whether or not 60 votes will be needed to pass the tax cuts. But, only a majority determine the rules on the budget amendments.