There have been so many false finishes to the interminable XM-Sirius (NSDQ: SIRI) approval process, that it’s probably best to hold off on all reporting until there’s a decisive vote. Still, here’s where things stand right now. Michael Copps, a well-known critic of media consolidation, voted against approval last night, according to WSJ. Conversely, two other commissioners, Chairman Kevin Martin and Robert McDowell, have voted in favor it. So of the two remaining ones, XM (NSDQ: XMSR) and Sirius need one vote to give them the majority. The remaining ones: Democrat commissioner Jay Adelstein, who wants a new slew of concessions for his vote, and Republican appointee Deborah Taylor Tate. The Journal describes her as the only commissioner not to have expressed an opinion so far. Also, Ars Technica argued in a recent report, why she might be a key swing vote: Though she may have a laissez-faire attitude on media matters, she’s also directly solicited the help of Clear Channel (NYSE: CCU) to help her frame the issue.

For more on where Tate and Adelstein may come down, Deal Journal has more.

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