ConfirmThem

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

Senator Specter must be kidding himself (or us) when he says that Senator Schumer might change his mind about filibustering former Interior Solicitor William Myers. See the previous post by Nathan for Specter's comments. Schumer voted against cloture on the first Myers nomination, and here are some miscellaneous quotes that indicate Schumer's opinion of Myers:

Confirming Myers would put "the fox in charge of the hen house ... when it comes to environmental cases."

Myers' writings are "hardly reflective of the moderation and temperament we look for from judicial nominees."

"Nominating William Myers is like sticking a thumb in the eye of all senators who believe extremists have no place on the federal bench."

Sure Schumer will oppose filibustering Myers. And Orrin Hatch will sing at half-time in the next superbowl. :-)

Seriously, I am not unsympathetic to Senator Schumer's concerns about the environment. However, Schumer will never be satisfied voting against Myers on the merits---Schumer wants cloture to be the final question voted on.

My hunch: Senator Specter is focusing on Myers in order to avoid having to take a position on Senator Hatch's interpretation of Judiciary Committee Rule IV, discussed previously.