Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R-RI) announced this morning in Providence that he will vote against the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court.
In a statement this morning, the Rhode Island senator said he was "greatly concerned" about some of Alito's philosophies, according to the Providence Journal. Chafee is the first Republican to announce a vote against Alito.
The Journal did not say whether the senator would back a filibuster. Liberal Democrats Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) are mounting an eleventh-hour bid to block the nominee.
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Chafee's opposition comes amid low approval ratings at home; the moderate pro-choice Republican is struggling to maintain his position for reelection.
His opposition -- and that of Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) -- shows what role personal campaigns can play in the confirmation of a nominee to the Supreme Court. Byrd announced that he would support Alito the same day a rich Republican candidate entered the race against him.
Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee (R-RI) announced this morning in Providence that he will vote against the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court.