Nukes Not Needed. Alito's All but in. But where was Hagel?

Despite threats from Kerry and Kennedy to filibuster SCOTUS nominee Samuel Alito's confirmation vote, the Senate just voted by 72-25 to end debate. Nineteen Democrats voted for cloture. (Roll Call) Republican Senators Ensign and Hagel missed the vote. Ensign's got a good excuse: he was injured in an auto accident while on his way to the airport to go to DC to vote. But where was Hagel? For somebody who wants to run for the GOP Presidential nomination in 2008, but already has a lot of problems with the base, missing this vote was not a good idea. I, for one, plan to remind folks when the primaries run around.