The New START treaty has just passed the Senate, 71 to 26. The treaty needed 67 votes for ratification.
UPDATE: Thirteen Republicans voted to ratify the treaty: Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Bob Bennett (Utah), Scott Brown (Mass.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), Bob Corker (Tenn.), Judd Gregg (N.H.), Johnny Isakson (Georgia), Mike Johanns (Nebraska), Richard Lugar (Indiana), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine), and George Voinovich (Ohio).
UPDATE II: Bob Costa reports on the presser immediately following the vote:
“Just now, at a press conference following the vote, I asked Sen. Dick Lugar (R., Ind.) whether he is surprised about the extent of GOP support. ‘I’m pleased that 13 voted for the treaty,’ he replied. ‘It is a very strong statement that President Obama made throughout the world.’ He noted that he appreciated the ‘spirited’ debate in his caucus, but shrugged aside concerns that the treaty was rushed. Even though it’s the lame duck, ‘some of us still are’ senators, he added with a smile.
“Beside Lugar, beaming, stood Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.), who said ‘71 is 98’ in the Senate these days. The vote, he added, is an ‘enormous measure of credibility’ for the president on the world stage.
“Kerry also pushed back against lame-duck concerns, especially by incoming GOP senators. “They are not senators until next year,’ Kerry said, his finger thrust out. The soon-to-be members, he claimed, don’t know much about the ‘details’ of the negotiations.”
By a remarkable coincidence, 71-26 is almost exactly the same how ratio as the vote in Parliament in favor of Chamberlain's Munich Agreement--369-150.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat a wonderful exchange - this week the Dems and RINOs forced the military to give up missiles and missile defense and to accept...homosexuals. Missiles-and-missile-defense-for-gays! Not exactly a net-plus in terms of readiness and defense posture.
The corruption and marginalization of the American military is in full effect.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse...ah, who cares? It is only national security.
Congratulations, TOTUS: you're the first Democrat occupant of the White House to negotiate a treaty with Russia. You've done Putin's bidding well.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe flushing sound you hear is Jon Kyl's influence....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou can almost hear Putin saying, "I have no more territorial demands".
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt is absolutely imperative to primary at least Corker, Cochran and Isakason and preferably Luger as well.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is why we here in Indiana will be looking for someone to replace Mr Lugar in 2012.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAs if we needed another reminder why we primaried Bennett.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAlso, it sure is a good thing those freshmen don't get to vote on the treaty. They haven't had the benefit of all the details the White House has put out about the negotiations. They certainly haven't had the time to carefully read the thing like all the current senators have.
All snark aside, here's a tip for the freshmen: if you ever do anything that makes John F. Kerry "beam", you are probably angering your constituents.
The Republican senators who voted for this treaty have marked themselves for the next election. I have never felt as strongly as I do now that the Senate is racing to do as much damage as possible to the nation before the session ends.
The consequences of such behavior should be dire.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Thirteen Republicans voted to ratify the treaty: Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Bob Bennett (Utah), Scott Brown (Mass.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Susan Collins (Maine), Bob Corker (Tenn.), Judd Gregg (N.H.), Johnny Isakson (Georgia), Mike Johanns (Nebraska), Richard Lugar (Indiana), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine), and George Voinovich (Ohio)."
If not already tossed, toss 'em.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse‘It is a very strong statement that President Obama made throughout the world.’ Did Lugar actually say and think this?? God, what an embarrasment.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNone dare call it treason, but high treason it is!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLugar is fast positioning himself as the new Chuck Hagel. In his 30 years in the Senate I've never seen him so supportive of any sitting President as he is of this one. The thing is, the GOP Senate Caucus is filled with these types. Specter, Hagel, Graham, now Corker and Alexander, and Lugar.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseToo late to primary Isakson. He just got re elected. Didn't take him long to run back to his RINO roots.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Tea Party will have their sights set on 12 Senators
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusebecause Luger, the other RINO, is retiring.
What did they get in return from selling out is what I want to know.
An absolute disgrace, that's why a new party is needed.
A party of common sense that can READ.
How about a new slogan for Arkansans - Lets FIRE Pryor!! He should have learned from his colleague Ms. Blanche Lincloln's recent expulsion!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt is time to run serious candidates in the next primary against each one of these who remain in the Senate. These primary opponents should take a "scorched earth approach" and let the chips fall wherever they may.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSadly, we Georgians, myself included, just sent Isakson back for 6 more years. The first time he ran I voted for Herman Cain in the primary, and I deeply wish we had elected him instead of Isakson. Many wonder why we support Conservative candidates in primaries who may not win the general...this is why! What use is a Scott Brown or an Olympia Snowe to Republicans if they hold all Liberal ideas? Some of these Senators are up and vulnerable in 2012. Change must come...no mercy!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow every living secretary of state and defense for Republican Presidents committed treason? Including Senior Bush?
Its simply astonishing how fast the readership of the National Review has gone nuts post WFB. But then he did day he spent his entire life separating the extremists from the conservatives. Looks like his efforts to create an instituyion have failed.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWe live in perilous times, and we are now living in even more perilous times thanks to the Senate. That 13 Republicans voted for this treaty...so they could all get home for Christmas, it sounds like...is scandalous.
Tea Party Primary Challenges...Ho!!! Our work is not done.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse