ConfirmThem

By AndrewHyman Posted in Senate Rules — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

David Reinhard of the Oregonian has a terrific column today expressing widespread sentiment that nomination filibusters should stop. The Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) is urging people to FAX the Senate. The Washington Times reports:

Republican officials privately say they hope Democrats pursue their planned strategy of shutting down the Senate over judicial filibusters, comparing it to the politically disastrous government shutdown by House Republicans almost 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, Investor's Business Daily has an excellent piece today, including this:

Democrats say they're only speaking up for the "rights of the minority." But those rights don't include vetoing judicial nominees --- like one minority they didn't stand up for: Miguel Estrada, who eventually withdrew after being filibustered in 2003. We pay senators to do a job --- vote up or down on nominees, and not play games. . . .This week, a poll by the Judicial Confirmation Network found that 82% of Americans think "well-qualified" nominees deserve a vote on the Senate floor.

Additionally, Gary J. Andres wrote an essay entitled "Majority rule on judges" for the Washington Times, and Michael Reagan has penned an essay entitled "The Party of Obstruction." Also, the Washington Post has an interesting editorial today opposing a Myers filibuster while also opposing his confirmation:

The first three appeals court candidates examined by the Senate Judiciary Committee this year all present serious, though very different, concerns. One, William G. Myers for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, should be voted down on the merits. The second, Terrence W. Boyle for the 4th Circuit, should not be confirmed based on the current record. The third, Thomas B. Griffith for the D.C. Circuit, falls on the other side of the line.