The Senate voted for cloture on the START Treaty just now, all but assuring ratification when the debate is over. Watching the vote from the gallery, it was almost free of suspense. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) slumped in his desk, sharing a conversation with Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on one side and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) on the other, both of them having supported cloture. As the vote neared its end, John Kyl (R-Ariz.) sped over to John Kerry (D-Mass.), handing him a short piece of paper; Kyl circled back to John McCain, who may still try to amend the treaty before final passage. As long as I’m demoing as a theater critic, I should note that, before the vote, Secretary of Hillary State was in the Foreign Relations Committee room talking to senators; she left the room all smiles.
We’re waiting on the roll call, but the lopsided aye vote included support from at least ten Republicans.
