Comments on: A Judicious Compromise

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 14:21:24 +0000

Chris: Maybe so. I don't think the Clinton team would have nominated here had they realized the extremism of her views, which were certainly out of synch with Clinton's policies.

By: JackLewis.net

JackLewis.net — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 12:46:36 +0000

Around the Blogosphere
Annie Jacobson's suspicions Michelle Malkin, Blogs for Bush, Myopic Zeal Air America and the Fairness Doctrine Michelle Malkin Pope Benedict...

By: Chris Lawrence

Chris Lawrence — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 03:19:04 +0000

I don't know that Guinier wasn't "properly vetted"; rather, that a lot of people disagreed with her interpretation of the constitution (e.g. equal protection requiring proportional representation). Zoe Baird and the rest of the folks with "nanny problems," on the other hand, may be more legit examples.

By: Potbelly Stove

Potbelly Stove — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 20:39:04 +0000

Judicial filibuster threat—Importance overplayed?
Much has been written about the Democrat's threat to filibuster certain conservative judicial nominees and Republican angst over what to do about it.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 15:12:19 +0000

There have been major Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Roe v. Wade) written by judicial nominees who could have been considered extreme by Republicans when they were nominated.

Vetting nominees for their ideology -- a recent Democrat innovation -- rather than their qualifications and temperament, is what introduces partisanship to the process.

By: wavemaker

wavemaker — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 14:14:36 +0000

I agree entirely that "the advise and consent power is a necessary check and sometimes stops the confirmation of a candidate who would not have been nominated if properly vetted."

The question is what happens when the Republican majority on the Judiciary Committee votes on straight party line for candidates that, in all honesty, are less than stellar (but very well politically connected). As long as the majority party can keep their members in line, even poorly vetted nominees can be jammed through, both in committee and on the floor.

Having spent the better part of the last two days researching all of these nominees, I must say that there are one or two who I wouldn't mind seeing thrown under the bus.

By: Don Singleton

Don Singleton — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 13:37:49 +0000

A Judicious Compromise
I agree completely. But unfortunately the Dems are so upset that they are not in power they feel they have to oppose everything just to show that they have some power.

By: Tbird1107

Tbird1107 — Sun, 24 Apr 2005 12:12:21 +0000

Broder also notes "The balance of power in the Senate is not in a right-wing cabal; it is in the moderate center." That's at least what it should be. Caving in to extreme views from both ends of the spectrum doesn't solve the problem.