Quote:
Originally posted by cmccuist
There has never been a filibuster to prevent a senate confirmation of a judge - until now. What the Democrats are doing is desparation.
|
I'd like to see your source on that.
"When Republicans enjoyed a majority during Bill Clinton's presidency, they simply outvoted Democrats on the Judiciary Committee and blocked nominees there, without a full Senate vote. If that option didn't look promising, the GOP could "slow walk" nominees with tools ranging from the "hold" (a kind of mini-filibuster to slow down or block nominations) to simply refusing to hold confirmation hearings. There is also the venerable practice of senatorial courtesy, used liberally by both parties, that gives senators a virtual veto on nominees who come from their state or will hold office there."
Source:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4534268
Also, "...filibusters rarely delay for long measures that enjoy the broad support of the American people."
You take away the filibuster and you take away representation of 49% of the country in the decision making process.
Conclusion: Republicans are whining little hypocrites.
Number of Clinton's judicial nominees that the Republican Senate blocked: 64
Number of Bush's judicial nominees that the Democrats have blocked: 10.
There are currently 43 judicial vacancies. This compares to the Republicans, who by September 1997 had forced 103 vacancies by not confirming nominated judges.
During Clinton’s term, Republican Senators blocked 35% of President Clinton’s nominees to the federal appellate courts for policy reasons. Republicans threatened to stop all confirmations or eliminate judicial seats to prevent Clinton from selecting his own judges, insisting that they were entitled to choose half of the judges.
Republican's are banking on the fact that Americans as a whole have short memories. This is another example of 'good old boys' trying to replace ethics with their network. It's common in the south and now it's common in Washington. Ethics smethics.
The bottom line is that the democrats in congress had been more productive in allowing the appointment of judges in the senate; right up until the Republicans got control again.
