Senate Rejects DOJ Nominee Who Defended Convicted Cop-Killer Mumia Abu Jamal

47-52, even the filibuster rules change couldn't help

Several Senate Democrats joined with Republicans on Wednesday to block President Barack Obama's controversial nominee to lead the Justice Department's civil rights division.

The rejection of Debo Adegbile in a 47-52 vote marks the first time that one of Obama's nominees was thwarted since Senate Democrats changed filibuster rules in November. The nomination needed 51 votes to advance.