Nickles Vote Update

LL took a cheek-chilling bike ride down to the John A. Wilson Building this morning to try a get a better read on Peter Nickles' confirmation prospects at the council breakfast meeting prior to the legislative session.

There was a brief verbal donnybrook, when Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh entered the room and immediately took Ward 2's Jack Evans to task for some public comments on the Nickles situation. Cheh and Evans took their conversation into the chairman's office. LL is told that Evans explained to Cheh that he had been misquoted; civility ensued.

Here's the updated tally:

Solid Yes (to confirm)
At-Large Councilmember David A. Catania
Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham
Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans
Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells

Solid No
At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson
Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh
Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander

Undecided
Chairman Vincent C. Gray---still undecided, but LL is told he met with Fenty for about an hour yesterday in Gray's office
At-Large Councilmember Carol Schwartz---says she's "leaning toward" voting yes
At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown---"Honestly, I don't know yet."
Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.---still playing it cool. "I want to feel courted on this very important issue," he jokes to LL. Fenty liaison JoAnne Ginsberg did her part, meeting with him briefly before today's session.
Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry---a no-show, per usual practice, at breakfast. Count him as a no.

The vote is scheduled toward the end of the legislative meeting agenda. Here's LL's prediction: After a stern statement, Gray announces he's voting yes; Thomas and Schwartz do the same, and probably Brown, too. Barry casts a protest nay. Nickles gets confirmed 9-4. Don't put any money on that.