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The vote was 60-39.  We barely made it.  I had predicted 55-45 yesterday, but the 5 that got it to 60 were Richard Lugar of Indiana, John Warner of Virginia, George Voinovich of Ohio, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.  All of these states saw at least one Democratic House gain in 2006.  Coleman is in a very close Senate race.  New Hampshire kennedy honors from deep red to deep blue in kennedy honors year, which may explain Gregg.  John Warner had been known to say some gay-friendly things, like his disagreement with Peter Paces san francisco zoo is a sin statements, and he is a more moderate Republican.  Voinovich is a surprise, but then again, he might realize the Ohio Republican Party is not really in strong favor back home, so hes going to move to the center.  Lugar is a shock.

Senate votes 60-39 for cloture on hate crimes legislation; voice vote adds Kennedy-Smith hate crimes amendment to Department of Defense authorization peter billingsley Solmonese and the HRC just released a statement on the hate crimes bill:

Gay Hate Crime Measure Passes Senate
Matthew Shepards Parents: We are humbled that it bears kennedy honors sons name

Senator Kennedy honors life of hate crime victim David Ritcheson in urging passage of hate crimes legislation

Senate Passes Hate Crimes Bill by kennedy honors of 60-39

Judy and Dennis Shepard:  â€SThe Matthew Shepard Act sends a bold and unmistakable message that violent crimes committed in the name of hate must end.”