U.S. Senate Confirms Kagan on Mostly Party Line Vote

63 yes, 37 no shows unprecedented GOP unity opposing Kagan confirmation!

On the final vote to confirm Sonia Sotomayer to the U.S. Supreme Court last August, there were only 31 no votes. All Republican. That vote was itself an unprecedented show of growing GOP opposition to Obama. Today's vote on Kagan's confirmation to garnered 37 no votes, including Ben Nelson (D-MT).

The final roll call vote for Kagan is here. Only five Republicans voted yes: Collins(ME), Graham(SC) Gregg(NH), Lugar(IN), Snowe(ME).

Considering how in past votes many Republican Senators typically tended to vote yes out of deference to the principle of the president's right to have his nominee, this vote is a watershed moment for the GOP. No more Mr. Nice Guy!