Senate Republicans and Judicial Nominations
To the Editor:
In “Who’s Filibustering Now?” (New York Times Editorial, March 9th), you criticize Senate Republicans for writing the president with suggestions for a smooth confirmation process for federal judges.
First, we did not insist that “Mr. Obama begin by appointing holdover Bush nominees.”
Rather, we noted that it would show that the president is serious about changing the tone in Washington if he nominated a few Republicans.
The Times did not complain when President George W. Bush nominated the Democrats Roger Gregory and Barrington Parker to the circuit courts. It is curious that it now urges President Obama not to practice the same sort of bipartisanship.
Second, The Times noted that it is entirely “appropriate” to request that the president consult us on nominees from our own states. Yet it seems to complain that we expect Senate Democrats to enforce that practice just as they insisted it be enforced during the Bush administration. It is unfortunate that the importance The Times places on the Constitution’s advice and consent requirement varies with the occupant of the White House.
Mitch McConnell
Senate Minority Leader (Republican)
Washington D.C., March 10, 2009
Unrelated:
Ex State Senator Fumo Guilty on all 137 counts of Conspiracy, Fraud, Tax Offenses and Obstruction of Justice; Faces 10 years or more
The FBI pursued him for four years. Its agents interviewed more than 350 people and compiled documents that filled 240 boxes. Yesterday, a jury of 10 women and two men wrote the finish. They found Vincent J. Fumo to be a corrupt politician who abused his power to enrich himself.
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