Robert Groves was confirmed as Census Director this afternoon. The confirmation was by voice vote, which followed a 76-15 cloture vote. We've been especially interested in Grove's nomination, so we're happy to see him confirmed, and happy to see Harry Reid push a nomination through.
4:54 p.m. - Senators Vitter and Shelby lead off against Groves (and cloture). Their objection? Their questions to the Obama administration about the role in the Census of the organization formerly known as ACORN have not been answered.
5:05 p.m. - ACORN is one of 30,000 organizations the Census Bureau uses to get the word out.
5;23 p.m. - Carl Levin (D-MI): Groves "may be the best qualified candidate ever nominated" to direct the Census.
Susan Collins (R-ME) , on the helpful endorsement of Groves by the American Statistical Association: "I did not know that such an organization existed."
5;55 p.m. - Among others, Republican Senators Kyl, McCain, Martinez, Corker, Gregg, Coburn and McConnell vote "aye
6:00 p.m. - And just like that, we have a new Census director.
