If you had asked me prior to confirmation hearings taking place what nominees would struggle the most, I would have said Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Linda McMahon.
Hegseth has already squeaked through, but it was not easy.
Gabbard was facing an ugly defeat, but that may have just turned for her.
Close Call
When she was nominated, at best, I figured it would be a Vance tiebreaking vote that would get her in.
I say this because there were at least a half-dozen GOP Senators that were very hesitant about backing her.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was one of them, but she appears to have had a change of heart, and that could be huge for Gabbard.
Assuming all Dems vote against her, with the possible exception of Fetterman, she is likely getting a “no” from Senators McConnell (R-KY) and Murkowski (R-AK). If Fetterman is a “no,” that means Gabbard has one vote to spare, and there are at least two other Republicans on the fence.
Collins flipping gives her a far better chance because if Collins was a “no,” this nomination was dead in the water.
Instead, Collins stated, “After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence.
“As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence community.”
Collins added, “In response to my questions during our discussion in my office and at the open hearing, as well as through her explanation at the closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden.
“I took forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security.”
Finally giving her endorsement, concluding, “After extensive consideration, conversations with her in my office, attending the hearing and questioning her there, and listening to her in the closed session, I decided to vote — that I will vote for her.”
This is huge for Gabbard, and more than likely, at worst, makes this a tiebreaker for Vance.
I have not seen a final vote scheduled for Gabbard, but I would assume it will be before the end of this week or early next week.
