Maureen Groppe, writing for the Gannett News Service, has an article on continued resistance to confirmation of IU Law Professor, Dawn Johnsen, as President Obama’s head of the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice. Republican opposition to her confirmation stems from her criticism of the office under President Bush — particularly with respect to the dubious justifications for torture — and her history as counsel for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL).
Senator Lugar recently announced his intention to support her nomination. According to an article by Sylvia Smith in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, he is the first Republican to do so publicly.
Lugar’s support does not guarantee the Senate will confirm Johnsen. Sixty votes are needed to stave off a filibuster, and vote-counters say they are aware of close to 60 “yes” votes for Johnsen, but they are not declaring victory. One Democrat – Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson – has said he will vote against Johnsen.
Now that Arlen Specter isn’t facing a conservative primary challenge, it will be interesting to see whether he will switch positions on this issue in the wake of his defection from the Republican Party. Also, it will be interesting to see if the GOP can hold the votes of supposed moderates, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both Republican Senators from Maine.
While Specter has said he “opposes” Johnsen, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he wouldn’t vote for cloture. He could vote for cloture and then vote against her confirmation.