GOP Contenders Go 4 for 4 on Southwick
By Curt Levey Posted in Southwick — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Mitt Romney spoke out today on the obstruction of Judge Leslie Southwick. In the last 24 hours, all four of the major GOP presidential contenders have condemned the Democrats’ shameful behavior in the Southwick affair. If you’re aware of other Republican contenders who have also addressed the subject, please let us know.
Southwick was just voted out of committee 10-9 with Feinsten casting the deciding vote. She gave a very sympathetic speech which I think was partially inspired by a desire to see that controversial nominees of a future Dem president were not blocked by Republicans.
I don't know what Reid is going to do now. Earlier, he said that he wouldn't bring Southwick up for a full Senate vote just because the nominee was on the Executive Calendar. Reid must be tearing out his hair now. Not only does he still have to handle McConnell's "sense of the senate" amendment, in addition he may have to deal with the Republicans filing a discharge petition if he doesn't voluntarily bring Southwick up for a full floor vote.
Oddly, prior to the vote, Leahy claimed that Bush promised in 2001 to appoint an African-American from Mississippi to the federal judiciary and is now reneging. I have never heard of this promise before.
BTW, Jones, Aycock were held over.