ConfirmThem

There are currently five active and four senior judges on the 1st Circuit, which is the smallest circuit. The active judges are Chief Judge Michael Boudin (b. 1939, Bush 41), Juan Torruella (b. 1933, Reagan), Sandra Lynch (b. 1946, Clinton), Kermit Lipez (b. 1941, Clinton) and Jeffrey Howard (b. 1955, Bush 43). The senior judges are Selya (b. 1934, Reagan), Campbell (b. 1927, Nixon), Cyr (b. 1931, Bush 41) and Stahl (b. 1931, Bush 41). Although it is a majority GOP nominated circuit now (especially when the 4 senior judges are considered), that could easily change. Judge Torruella will be 75 in 2008. If the Seyla seat isn't filled, then President Obama could flip the circuit with two nominations. Perhaps it's time to nominate Flanders - he apparently had the support of both Whitehouse and Reed.

In general, the whole situation with Flanders has been mishandled. Chafee, acting like a fool, before last year's election made a public announcement that he had "nominated" Flanders for Selya's seat. What? Someone should've explained to Chafee that only the president can make such judicial nominations. I get the strong impression that Chafee was trying to force a nominee down the throat of an unwilling White House just in order to prove to all the Dems in his state that he wasn't a Bush puppet. No wonder the White House doesn't want anything to do with Flanders.

In addition, I have never read a statement by Rhode Island's new Dem senator that he supports Flanders. I have, however, read some embarrassing propaganda pieces, probably initiated by an ambitious Flanders, that he still wants the job. Yuck!!! I think such blatant campaigning usually signals that the self-promoting candidate will not show much judicial restraint as a judge.

The 1st Circuit covers the most liberal portion of the country. If it gets taken over by Reinhardt clones good for them. That is what they deserve. I personally think we should trade New England to Canada for British Columbia - better skiing and more oil! Screw Flanders. DO NOT reward Chaffee for being a jackass. Once again the 1st CCA should not even be talked about until the 4th 3rd and 5th CCAs seats are filled. Lets focus on NC, PA, and SC for now.

If Senator Reed supports him, I don't think Whitehouse would object.

That said, let the seat rot.

I completely agree, with Leahy moving at the pace of a snail, the we need to write off the 1st. Unless we make a broader deal in which we let the donks pick the CCA nominee there, in return for something else (like getting the 2 6th CCA nominees thru).