To win ratification of the START Treaty, the President needs 67 votes in the Senate. He's got all 58 Democrats and is on his way to securing the nine GOPers. That's the indication from the White House this morning according to David Jackson at USA Today's blog, The Oval:
The White House is exuding confidence heading into a key Senate vote today on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia.Last night, Alexander Bolton at The Hill, who has been counting the GOP votes, reported "[Scott Brown] was the ninth Republican senator to announce publicly that he would vote to ratify or is leaning strongly in favor of doing so."
Senate Democrats will seek to cut off debate today on the treaty, clearing the way for a final vote on START amid Republican criticism that it could undercut U.S. missile defense efforts.
President Obama and Senate Democrats said the treaty will have no effect on missile defense, but will instead cut the number of nuclear weapons and assure inspections of Russia's nuclear arsenal.
