GOP senators who have blocked nominees

[Tiger Al 0]

Lamar Alexander (TN)

SENATOR ALEXANDER’S RECORD

• Senator Alexander has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

Wayne Allard (CO)

Senator Allard blocked two of Clinton’s judicial nominees from receiving an up-or-down vote: James Lyons, 10th Circuit-Colorado and Patricia Coan, a District Court nominee.

SENATOR ALLARD’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees – two for judicial appointments: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez Also voted to filibuster executive nominee David Satcher.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

George Allen (VA)

SENATOR ALLEN’S RECORD:

• Senator Allen has never voted against cloture on a nomination

Robert Bennett (UT)

SENATOR BENNETT’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 13 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice) and 5 State Department nominees.

Christopher Bond (MO)

SENATOR BOND’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster nine Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster (twice), and five State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

Sam Brownback (KS)

SENATOR BROWNBACK’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees – two for judicial appointments: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez Also voted to filibuster executive nominee David Satcher.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jim Bunning (KY)

SENATOR BUNNING’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton judicial nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

Conrad Burns (MT)

SENATOR BURNS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Richard Burr (NC)

SENATOR BURR’S RECORD

• Senator Burr has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Lincoln Chafee (RI)

SENATOR CHAFEE’S RECORD:

• Senator Chafee has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Saxby Chambliss (GA)

SENATOR CHAMBLISS RECORD:

• Senator Chambliss has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Tom Coburn (OK)

SENATOR COBURN’S RECORD

• Senator Coburn has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Thad Cochran (MS)

SENATOR COCHRAN’S RECORD

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Dept nominees en bloc.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Norm Coleman (MN)

SENATOR COLEMAN’S RECORD:

• Senator Coleman has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Susan Collins (ME)

SENATOR COLLINS’ RECORD

• Senator Collins has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

John Cornyn (TX)

SENATOR CONRYN’S RECORD:

• Senator Cornyn has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Larry Craig (ID)

SENATOR CRAIG’S RECORD

• Voted to filibuster 13 Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon, Richard Paez and five State Department nominees.

• Two of these votes for filibusters were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Michael Crapo (ID)

SENATOR CRAPO’S RECORD:

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jim DeMint (SC)

SENATOR DEMINT’S RECORD

Senator DeMint has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Mike DeWine (OH)

SENATOR DEWINE’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Two of the filibuster votes were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez to the 9th Circuit on 3/8/00.

• Voted to block two nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Elizabeth Dole (NC)

SENATOR DOLE’S RECORD:

• Senator Dole has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Pete Domenici (NM)

SENATOR DOMENICI’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and five State Department nominees

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Stephen G. Breyer to the Appellate Court in 1980.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

John Ensign (NV)

SENATOR ENSIGN’S RECORD:

• Senator Ensign has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Michael Enzi (WY)

SENATOR ENZI’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees (judicial and executive): David Satcher, Marsha Berzon, and Richard Paez.

• Two of the filibuster votes were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez to the 9th Circuit on 3/8/00.

Bill Frist (TN)

SENATOR FRIST’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton judicial nominee: Richard Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Lindsey Graham (SC)

SENATOR GRAHAM’S RECORD:

• Senator Graham has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Chuck Grassley (IA)

Senator Grassley blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, J. Rich Leonard to the 4th Cir. – NC. Leonard never received an up-or-down vote.

SENATOR GRASSLEY’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of William Verity, Jr. to be Secretary of Commerce in 1987.

Judd Gregg (NH)

SENATOR GREGG’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Chuck Hagel (NE)

SENATOR HAGEL’S RECORD

• Senator Hagel has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Orrin Hatch (UT)

Senator Hatch: “…the confirmation process is not a numbers game, and I will not compromise the Senate's advice and consent function simply because the White House has sent us nominees that are either not qualified or controversial. There are a range of factors which make a nominee controversial or difficult to confirm, such as lack of experience or questionable information contained in materials not in the public domain or in their past records that may be at variance with the proper role of judges in society.” [144 Cong Rec S 12962, Oct. 21, 1998]

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, Helene White to the 6th Circuit-Michigan

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, J. Rich Leonard to the 4th Cir. - NC,

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, Ricardo Morado, to the SDTX

None of these judicial nominees received a vote.

SENATOR HATCH’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of C. William Verity, Jr. to be Secretary of Commerce in 1987.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

Kay Hutchinson (TX)

Hutchinson blocked two Circuit Court nominees to the 5th Circuit, leaving open the seat Republicans are now trying to hand to Priscilla Owen. Hutchinson blocked Jorge Rangel and Enrique Moreno, both of whom were nominated for the 5th Circuit. [Fulton County Daily Report, (Georgia) 2/5/02]

SENATOR HUTCHINSON’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Dept nominees en bloc.

James Inhofe (OK)

Senator Inhofe blocked Clinton nominee, Frank McCarthy, from receiving an up-or-down vote on his nomination to serve as a judge on the Northern District of Oklahoma.

SENATOR INHOFE’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster four Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): David Satcher, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Two of those votes in support of filibusters were cast in the nominations of judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez.

Johnny Isakson (GA)

SENATOR ISAKSON’S RECORD

• Senator Isakson has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Jon Kyl (AZ)

SENATOR KYL’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton executive nominees: David Satcher and Henry Foster (twice).

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Trent Lott (MS)

Senator Lott coined the phrase "nuclear option" while he was the Republican Majority Leader [Washington Times, 3/19/03]

Senator Lott was in no rush to confirm judges when he served as Majority Leader. Lott has said:

• "When I go to my state or around the country, the last thing I hear people clamoring for is more lifetime-tenured federal judges." [Washington Times, 12/13/98]

• "Do I have any apologies? Only one: I probably moved too many judicial nominations already." [Washington Times, 12/13/98]

• "When the Democrats think that all the President has to do is to kick up some appointments to the Federal judiciary and that we're just gonna take 'em whole hog and pop 'em right out...well, that's not my intent." [The Bulletin's Frontrunner, 1/21/97]

• "There are not a lot of people in our states saying, Give us more federal judges. ... I am trying to move this thing along, but getting more federal judges is not what I came here to do." [The Connecticut Law Tribune, 10/11, 1999]

Trent Lott believed there were enough judges on the DC Circuit in 1997: ”It is my belief that this court of appeals is more than adequately staffed based on the number of cases pending on the court's docket. . . . I think as compared to others certainly they have more judges than they need.” [Legal Times 3/24/97]

Lott blocked an up-or-down vote for Clinton nominee, H. Alston Johnson to the 5th Circuit-Louisiana. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, Johnson’s nomination “died at the Senate Judiciary Committee, a casualty of both the Republican slowdown on confirming President Clinton's nominees and also a power play by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. Lott doesn't object to Johnson, apparently. He's simply blocking all action on 5th Circuit nominees until a Lott-recommended candidate gets another open seat on the appeals court.”

SENATOR LOTT’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Richard Lugar (IN)

SENATOR LUGAR’S RECORD:

• Lugar voted against cloture on the nomination of now Justice Stephen Breyer for the Circuit Court on 12/9/80.

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher and five State Department nominees

Mel Martinez (FL)

SENATOR MARTINEZ’S RECORD

• Senator Martinez has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

John McCain (AZ)

SENATOR MCCAIN’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive and judicial nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), H. Lee Sarokin and five State Department nominees.

• Senator McCain has twice voted against cloture for judicial nominations: H. Lee Sarokin to the Third Circuit on 10/4/94, and Richard R. Clifton to the 9th Circuit on 7/18/02.

Mitch McConnell (KY)

McConnell blocked Clinton nominee, Kent Markus, from receiving a vote on his nomination to the 6th Circuit-Ohio

SENATOR MCCONNELL’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 12 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and five State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

Lisa Murkowski (AK)

SENATOR MURKOWSKI’S RECORD

• Senator Murkowski has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Pat Roberts (KS)

SENATOR ROBERTS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: David Satcher.

Rick Santorum (PA)

Santorum Blocked Clinton Nominees From Receiving Up-Or-Down Votes:

Santorum admits blocking three District Court nominees. Santorum has admitted blocking the nominations of John H. Bingler Jr., Lynette Norton, and Robert Freedberg, all of whom were nominated by President Clinton for seats on the District Court. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/2/05]

Santorum blocked President Clinton’s Circuit Court choice. “In February of 2000, Santorum stopped a Clinton appeals court nominee -- then-U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Cindrich, whom Clinton had named to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.”[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/2/05]

SENATOR SANTORUM’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton executive nominees: David Satcher and Henry Foster (twice).

• Voted to block two Clinton judicial nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jeff Sessions (AL)

SENATOR SESSIONS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: David Satcher.

• Introduced motion and voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate

Richard Shelby (AL)

SENATOR SHELBY’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster five Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): H. Lee Sarokin, David Satcher, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon, and Richard Paez.

• Three of those filibuster votes were cast against judicial nominees: Sarokin, Berzon and Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Gordon Smith (OR)

SENATOR SMITH’S RECORD:

• Senator Smith has never voted against cloture on a nomination

Olympia Snowe (ME)

SENATOR SNOWE’S RECORD:

• Senator Snowe has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Arlen Specter (PA)

SENATOR SPECTER’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster seven Clinton nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Marsha Berzon, Richard Paez and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted against cloture on the judicial nominations of James Harvie Wilkinson, III to the Fourth Circuit on 7/31/84, and for the nomination of Edward Carnes to the 11th Circuit on 9/9/92.

Ted Stevens (AK)

SENATOR STEVENS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster nine Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster, and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

John Sununu (NH)

SENATOR SUNUNU’S RECORD:

• Senator Sununu has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

James Talent (MO)

SENATOR TALENT’S RECORD:

• Senator Talent has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Craig Thomas (WY)

SENATOR THOMAS’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: Henry Foster (twice)

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

John Thune (SD)

SENATOR THUNE’S RECORD:

• Senator Thune has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

David Vitter (LA)

SENATOR VITTER’S RECORD:

• Senator Vitter has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

George Voinovich (OH)

SENATOR VOINOVICH’S RECORD:

• Senator Voinovich has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

John Warner (VA)

SENATOR WARNER’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of Stephen G. Breyer to the Court of Appeals on 12/09/80

LINK

[TexasTiger 12,952]

Lamar Alexander (TN)

SENATOR ALEXANDER’S RECORD

• Senator Alexander has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

Wayne Allard (CO)

Senator Allard blocked two of Clinton’s judicial nominees from receiving an up-or-down vote: James Lyons, 10th Circuit-Colorado and Patricia Coan, a District Court nominee.

SENATOR ALLARD’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees – two for judicial appointments: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez Also voted to filibuster executive nominee David Satcher.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

George Allen (VA)

SENATOR ALLEN’S RECORD:

• Senator Allen has never voted against cloture on a nomination

Robert Bennett (UT)

SENATOR BENNETT’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 13 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice) and 5 State Department nominees.

Christopher Bond (MO)

SENATOR BOND’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster nine Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster (twice), and five State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

Sam Brownback (KS)

SENATOR BROWNBACK’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees – two for judicial appointments: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez Also voted to filibuster executive nominee David Satcher.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jim Bunning (KY)

SENATOR BUNNING’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton judicial nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

Conrad Burns (MT)

SENATOR BURNS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Richard Burr (NC)

SENATOR BURR’S RECORD

• Senator Burr has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Lincoln Chafee (RI)

SENATOR CHAFEE’S RECORD:

• Senator Chafee has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Saxby Chambliss (GA)

SENATOR CHAMBLISS RECORD:

• Senator Chambliss has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Tom Coburn (OK)

SENATOR COBURN’S RECORD

• Senator Coburn has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Thad Cochran (MS)

SENATOR COCHRAN’S RECORD

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Dept nominees en bloc.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Norm Coleman (MN)

SENATOR COLEMAN’S RECORD:

• Senator Coleman has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Susan Collins (ME)

SENATOR COLLINS’ RECORD

• Senator Collins has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

John Cornyn (TX)

SENATOR CONRYN’S RECORD:

• Senator Cornyn has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Larry Craig (ID)

SENATOR CRAIG’S RECORD

• Voted to filibuster 13 Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon, Richard Paez and five State Department nominees.

• Two of these votes for filibusters were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Michael Crapo (ID)

SENATOR CRAPO’S RECORD:

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jim DeMint (SC)

SENATOR DEMINT’S RECORD

Senator DeMint has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Mike DeWine (OH)

SENATOR DEWINE’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Two of the filibuster votes were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez to the 9th Circuit on 3/8/00.

• Voted to block two nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Elizabeth Dole (NC)

SENATOR DOLE’S RECORD:

• Senator Dole has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Pete Domenici (NM)

SENATOR DOMENICI’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and five State Department nominees

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Stephen G. Breyer to the Appellate Court in 1980.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

John Ensign (NV)

SENATOR ENSIGN’S RECORD:

• Senator Ensign has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Michael Enzi (WY)

SENATOR ENZI’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster three Clinton nominees (judicial and executive): David Satcher, Marsha Berzon, and Richard Paez.

• Two of the filibuster votes were for judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez to the 9th Circuit on 3/8/00.

Bill Frist (TN)

SENATOR FRIST’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton judicial nominee: Richard Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Lindsey Graham (SC)

SENATOR GRAHAM’S RECORD:

• Senator Graham has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Chuck Grassley (IA)

Senator Grassley blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, J. Rich Leonard to the 4th Cir. – NC. Leonard never received an up-or-down vote.

SENATOR GRASSLEY’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of William Verity, Jr. to be Secretary of Commerce in 1987.

Judd Gregg (NH)

SENATOR GREGG’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Chuck Hagel (NE)

SENATOR HAGEL’S RECORD

• Senator Hagel has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Orrin Hatch (UT)

Senator Hatch: “…the confirmation process is not a numbers game, and I will not compromise the Senate's advice and consent function simply because the White House has sent us nominees that are either not qualified or controversial. There are a range of factors which make a nominee controversial or difficult to confirm, such as lack of experience or questionable information contained in materials not in the public domain or in their past records that may be at variance with the proper role of judges in society.” [144 Cong Rec S 12962, Oct. 21, 1998]

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, Helene White to the 6th Circuit-Michigan

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, J. Rich Leonard to the 4th Cir. - NC,

Blocked the nomination of Clinton nominee, Ricardo Morado, to the SDTX

None of these judicial nominees received a vote.

SENATOR HATCH’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of C. William Verity, Jr. to be Secretary of Commerce in 1987.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

Kay Hutchinson (TX)

Hutchinson blocked two Circuit Court nominees to the 5th Circuit, leaving open the seat Republicans are now trying to hand to Priscilla Owen. Hutchinson blocked Jorge Rangel and Enrique Moreno, both of whom were nominated for the 5th Circuit. [Fulton County Daily Report, (Georgia) 2/5/02]

SENATOR HUTCHINSON’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Dept nominees en bloc.

James Inhofe (OK)

Senator Inhofe blocked Clinton nominee, Frank McCarthy, from receiving an up-or-down vote on his nomination to serve as a judge on the Northern District of Oklahoma.

SENATOR INHOFE’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster four Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): David Satcher, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez

• Two of those votes in support of filibusters were cast in the nominations of judicial nominees: Berzon and Paez.

Johnny Isakson (GA)

SENATOR ISAKSON’S RECORD

• Senator Isakson has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Jon Kyl (AZ)

SENATOR KYL’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton executive nominees: David Satcher and Henry Foster (twice).

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Trent Lott (MS)

Senator Lott coined the phrase "nuclear option" while he was the Republican Majority Leader [Washington Times, 3/19/03]

Senator Lott was in no rush to confirm judges when he served as Majority Leader. Lott has said:

• "When I go to my state or around the country, the last thing I hear people clamoring for is more lifetime-tenured federal judges." [Washington Times, 12/13/98]

• "Do I have any apologies? Only one: I probably moved too many judicial nominations already." [Washington Times, 12/13/98]

• "When the Democrats think that all the President has to do is to kick up some appointments to the Federal judiciary and that we're just gonna take 'em whole hog and pop 'em right out...well, that's not my intent." [The Bulletin's Frontrunner, 1/21/97]

• "There are not a lot of people in our states saying, Give us more federal judges. ... I am trying to move this thing along, but getting more federal judges is not what I came here to do." [The Connecticut Law Tribune, 10/11, 1999]

Trent Lott believed there were enough judges on the DC Circuit in 1997: ”It is my belief that this court of appeals is more than adequately staffed based on the number of cases pending on the court's docket. . . . I think as compared to others certainly they have more judges than they need.” [Legal Times 3/24/97]

Lott blocked an up-or-down vote for Clinton nominee, H. Alston Johnson to the 5th Circuit-Louisiana. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, Johnson’s nomination “died at the Senate Judiciary Committee, a casualty of both the Republican slowdown on confirming President Clinton's nominees and also a power play by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. Lott doesn't object to Johnson, apparently. He's simply blocking all action on 5th Circuit nominees until a Lott-recommended candidate gets another open seat on the appeals court.”

SENATOR LOTT’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Richard Lugar (IN)

SENATOR LUGAR’S RECORD:

• Lugar voted against cloture on the nomination of now Justice Stephen Breyer for the Circuit Court on 12/9/80.

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher and five State Department nominees

Mel Martinez (FL)

SENATOR MARTINEZ’S RECORD

• Senator Martinez has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

John McCain (AZ)

SENATOR MCCAIN’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 11 Clinton executive and judicial nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), H. Lee Sarokin and five State Department nominees.

• Senator McCain has twice voted against cloture for judicial nominations: H. Lee Sarokin to the Third Circuit on 10/4/94, and Richard R. Clifton to the 9th Circuit on 7/18/02.

Mitch McConnell (KY)

McConnell blocked Clinton nominee, Kent Markus, from receiving a vote on his nomination to the 6th Circuit-Ohio

SENATOR MCCONNELL’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 12 Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Janet Napolitano, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), David Satcher, and five State Department nominees

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted to filibuster the nomination of Melissa F. Wells to be Ambassador to Mozambique in 1987.

Lisa Murkowski (AK)

SENATOR MURKOWSKI’S RECORD

• Senator Murkowski has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Pat Roberts (KS)

SENATOR ROBERTS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: David Satcher.

Rick Santorum (PA)

Santorum Blocked Clinton Nominees From Receiving Up-Or-Down Votes:

Santorum admits blocking three District Court nominees. Santorum has admitted blocking the nominations of John H. Bingler Jr., Lynette Norton, and Robert Freedberg, all of whom were nominated by President Clinton for seats on the District Court. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/2/05]

Santorum blocked President Clinton’s Circuit Court choice. “In February of 2000, Santorum stopped a Clinton appeals court nominee -- then-U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Cindrich, whom Clinton had named to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.”[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/2/05]

SENATOR SANTORUM’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster two Clinton executive nominees: David Satcher and Henry Foster (twice).

• Voted to block two Clinton judicial nominees: Marsha Berzon and Richard Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Jeff Sessions (AL)

SENATOR SESSIONS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: David Satcher.

• Introduced motion and voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate

Richard Shelby (AL)

SENATOR SHELBY’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster five Clinton nominees (executive and judicial): H. Lee Sarokin, David Satcher, Henry Foster (twice), Marsha Berzon, and Richard Paez.

• Three of those filibuster votes were cast against judicial nominees: Sarokin, Berzon and Paez.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

Gordon Smith (OR)

SENATOR SMITH’S RECORD:

• Senator Smith has never voted against cloture on a nomination

Olympia Snowe (ME)

SENATOR SNOWE’S RECORD:

• Senator Snowe has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Arlen Specter (PA)

SENATOR SPECTER’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster seven Clinton nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Marsha Berzon, Richard Paez and 5 State Department nominees

• Voted against cloture on the judicial nominations of James Harvie Wilkinson, III to the Fourth Circuit on 7/31/84, and for the nomination of Edward Carnes to the 11th Circuit on 9/9/92.

Ted Stevens (AK)

SENATOR STEVENS’ RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster nine Clinton executive nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Henry Foster, and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to filibuster the nominations of William A. Lubbers and Don Alan Zimmerman to the NLRB in 1980.

John Sununu (NH)

SENATOR SUNUNU’S RECORD:

• Senator Sununu has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

James Talent (MO)

SENATOR TALENT’S RECORD:

• Senator Talent has never voted against cloture on a nomination.

Craig Thomas (WY)

SENATOR THOMAS’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster one Clinton executive nominee: Henry Foster (twice)

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

John Thune (SD)

SENATOR THUNE’S RECORD:

• Senator Thune has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

David Vitter (LA)

SENATOR VITTER’S RECORD:

• Senator Vitter has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

George Voinovich (OH)

SENATOR VOINOVICH’S RECORD:

• Senator Voinovich has never voted against cloture on a nominee.

John Warner (VA)

SENATOR WARNER’S RECORD:

• Voted to filibuster 10 Clinton nominees: Walter Dellinger, Sam W. Brown (twice), Derek Shearer, Ricki Tigert, Henry Foster (twice), and 5 State Department nominees.

• Voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on Richard Paez’s nomination, after the Republican filibuster was broken by a cloture vote to end debate.

• Voted against cloture on the nomination of Stephen G. Breyer to the Court of Appeals on 12/09/80

LINK

159162[/snapback]

Republicans-- nature's hypocrites.

[AURaptor 1,125]

If you read the fine print, you'd see there's nothing hypocritical there what so ever. But never mind the details.

[Tiger Al 0]

Republicans-- nature's hypocrites.

Or...Hypocrites--nature's republicans. It works both ways!

[AURaptor 1,125]

v. fil·i·bus·tered, fil·i·bus·ter·ing, fil·i·bus·ters

v. intr.

1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.

Misstating the Issue

The PFAW ad also misstates the issue. It features firefighter Ted Nonini saying that the movie Senator Smith was using the filibuster "so that the other point of view could be heard" and adding, "I also know that our democracy works best when both parties are speaking out and being heard." In fact, eliminating the filibuster would still allow all senators ample opportunity to speak and be heard. What's actually at stake is whether a minority of 40 senators will continue to have the power to block legislation favored by a majority -- particularly the confirmation of Bush's judicial nominees.

We of course take no position on whether the filibuster should or should not be preserved, or whether any or all of Bush's judicial nominees should or should not be confirmed. We merely note that real-life filibusters don't necessarily look like the fictional one shown in the TV ad.

Update, April 4: People for the American Way President Ralph Neas takes issue with our critique. As a courtesy to him, and a service to our readers, we have posted the full text of a letter he sent us under "supporting documents," at right.

Neas calls our article "deeply flawed," but we believe his letter contains misleading statements.

He refers to the filibuster as "extended" debate, when in fact the filibuster makes use of Senate rules allowing unlimited debate unless 60 senators vote to set a time limit.

More importantly, he says the filibuster "reflects the wisdom of the founding fathers' commitment to checks and balances." But the drafters of the Constitution had nothing to do with it. According to Sarah Binder & Stephen S. Smith, authors of a 1997 book on the history of the filibuster:

Binder & Smith: The right to extended debate was not created until 1806, when the Senate cleaned up its rulebook and dispensed-probably by mistake-with the rule that allowed a majority to limit the debate. Filibusters did not begin in earnest until the newly formed Democratic and Whig parties formed several decades later.

Sources

"October 17, 1939: 'Mr. Smith' Comes to Washington," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

"August 21, 1947: Member's Death Ends a Senate Predicament," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

"The Last, Hoarse Gasp," Time Magazine, 9 Sep 1957.

"June 10, 1964: Civil Rights Filibuster Ended," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

[AUloggerhead 2,238]

Al, would you support the 'nuclear option' if it also prevented future presidential nominees from getting held up in committe through blue slips or other delaying tactics?

[TexasTiger 12,952]

v. fil·i·bus·tered, fil·i·bus·ter·ing, fil·i·bus·ters

v. intr.

  1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.

Misstating the Issue

The PFAW ad also misstates the issue. It features firefighter Ted Nonini saying that the movie Senator Smith was using the filibuster "so that the other point of view could be heard" and adding, "I also know that our democracy works best when both parties are speaking out and being heard." In fact, eliminating the filibuster would still allow all senators ample opportunity to speak and be heard. What's actually at stake is whether a minority of 40 senators will continue to have the power to block legislation favored by a  majority -- particularly the confirmation of Bush's judicial nominees.

We of course take no position on whether the filibuster should or should not be preserved, or whether any or all of Bush's judicial nominees should or should not be confirmed. We merely note that real-life filibusters don't necessarily look like the fictional one shown in the TV ad.

Update, April 4:  People for the American Way President Ralph Neas takes issue with our critique. As a courtesy to him, and a service to our readers, we have posted the full text of a letter he sent us under "supporting documents," at right.

Neas calls our article "deeply flawed," but we believe his letter contains misleading statements.

He refers to the filibuster as "extended" debate, when in fact the filibuster makes use of Senate rules allowing unlimited debate unless 60 senators vote to set a time limit.

More importantly, he says the filibuster "reflects the wisdom of the founding fathers' commitment to checks and balances." But the drafters of the Constitution had nothing to do with it. According to Sarah Binder & Stephen S. Smith, authors of a 1997 book on the history of the filibuster:

    Binder & Smith: The right to extended debate was not created until 1806, when the Senate cleaned up its rulebook and dispensed-probably by mistake-with the rule that allowed a majority to limit the debate. Filibusters did not begin in earnest until the newly formed Democratic and Whig parties formed several decades later.

Sources

"October 17, 1939: 'Mr. Smith' Comes to Washington," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

"August 21, 1947: Member's Death Ends a Senate Predicament," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

"The Last, Hoarse Gasp," Time Magazine, 9 Sep 1957.

"June 10, 1964: Civil Rights Filibuster Ended," US Senate Historian, Historical Minute Essays on US Senate website, undated.

159170[/snapback]

You imply you've written this and used those sources. Are you the author?

[Tiger Al 0]

Al, would you support the 'nuclear option' if it also prevented future presidential  nominees from getting held up in committe through blue slips or other delaying tactics?

159172[/snapback]

If a president nominates someone so far out of the mainstream and wants the majority in Senate to simply rubberstamp that nominee, I think the minority should have some way to block it. The problem here is Bush's insistence on pushing these extreme judges toward lifetime appointments, not the minority's reluctance to pucker up. They've already shown good-faith by confirming 207. Bush should nominate 10 more like them and they'll get confirmed. Too easy.

[Tigermike 3,037]

The Democrats response: Mommy, Mommy they have done it too! They did it too, they did it too! We're going to get even with you!

Oh and Al how the heck would your liberal democrats know when someone is out of the mainstream? They know where that stream is? The dems haven't been in the mainstream for years and you know it.

Your contention that the dems have shown good-faith by confirming 207 is way off. You wave that around like it is a red badge of courage. Those who have been confirmed did so on their own merits. Just as every candidate should be judged and voted on. Why are you guys so afraid of an up and down vote? If these candidates are as extreme as you say, then there will be plenty of Republicans who vote accordingly. This is nothing more than democrats putting on a show for their radical left wing constituents. Looking to make a show before the mid term elections. Looking to show their radical left wing extremists that they have stood up to W.

[TexasTiger 12,952]

The Democrats response: Mommy, Mommy they have done it too!  They did it too, they did it too! We're going to get even with you!

Oh and Al how the heck would your liberal democrats know when someone is out of the mainstream?  They know where that stream is?  The dems haven't been in the mainstream for years and you know it.

Your contention that the dems have shown good-faith by confirming 207 is way off.  You wave that around like it is a red badge of courage.  Those who have been confirmed did so on their own merits.  Just as every candidate should be judged and voted on.  Why are you guys so afraid of an up and down vote?  If these candidates are as extreme as you say, then there will be plenty of Republicans who vote accordingly.  This is nothing more than democrats putting on a show for their radical left wing constituents.  Looking to make a show before the mid term elections.  Looking to show their radical left wing extremists that they have stood up to W.

159180[/snapback]

Hagel is one of Washington's most honest politicians:

"The Republicans' hands aren't clean on this either. What we did with Bill Clinton's nominees -- about 62 of them -- we just didn't give them votes in committee or we didn't bring them up."

-- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), quoted by the AP, on the judicial filibusters used by Democrats to block seven of President Bush nominees.

All this Republican whining is more than a little hypocritical. They block over 60 of Clinton's nominees, now act like the sky is falling.

[Tigermike 3,037]

The Democrats response: Mommy, Mommy they have done it too!  They did it too, they did it too! We're going to get even with you!

Oh and Al how the heck would your liberal democrats know when someone is out of the mainstream?  They know where that stream is?  The dems haven't been in the mainstream for years and you know it.

Your contention that the dems have shown good-faith by confirming 207 is way off.  You wave that around like it is a red badge of courage.  Those who have been confirmed did so on their own merits.  Just as every candidate should be judged and voted on.  Why are you guys so afraid of an up and down vote?  If these candidates are as extreme as you say, then there will be plenty of Republicans who vote accordingly.  This is nothing more than democrats putting on a show for their radical left wing constituents.  Looking to make a show before the mid term elections.  Looking to show their radical left wing extremists that they have stood up to W.

159180[/snapback]

Hagel is one of Washington's most honest politicians:

"The Republicans' hands aren't clean on this either. What we did with Bill Clinton's nominees -- about 62 of them -- we just didn't give them votes in committee or we didn't bring them up."

-- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), quoted by the AP, on the judicial filibusters used by Democrats to block seven of President Bush nominees.

All this Republican whining is more than a little hypocritical. They block over 60 of Clinton's nominees, now act like the sky is falling.

159182[/snapback]

So this is really just get even time for the democrats?

The president and many Republicans in Congress strongly advocate naming to the federal courts only judges who will be 'strict constructionists,' meaning they will apply the Constitution as it was written and ratified. The people nominated by President Bush have declared they would do this. So what really is the problem with these people? Obviously they don't see things like the vast left wing of the Democrat party. But why is that bad?

[TexasTiger 12,952]

The Democrats response: Mommy, Mommy they have done it too!  They did it too, they did it too! We're going to get even with you!

Oh and Al how the heck would your liberal democrats know when someone is out of the mainstream?  They know where that stream is?  The dems haven't been in the mainstream for years and you know it.

Your contention that the dems have shown good-faith by confirming 207 is way off.  You wave that around like it is a red badge of courage.  Those who have been confirmed did so on their own merits.  Just as every candidate should be judged and voted on.  Why are you guys so afraid of an up and down vote?  If these candidates are as extreme as you say, then there will be plenty of Republicans who vote accordingly.  This is nothing more than democrats putting on a show for their radical left wing constituents.  Looking to make a show before the mid term elections.  Looking to show their radical left wing extremists that they have stood up to W.

159180[/snapback]

Hagel is one of Washington's most honest politicians:

"The Republicans' hands aren't clean on this either. What we did with Bill Clinton's nominees -- about 62 of them -- we just didn't give them votes in committee or we didn't bring them up."

-- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), quoted by the AP, on the judicial filibusters used by Democrats to block seven of President Bush nominees.

All this Republican whining is more than a little hypocritical. They block over 60 of Clinton's nominees, now act like the sky is falling.

159182[/snapback]

So this is really just get even time for the democrats?

The president and many Republicans in Congress strongly advocate naming to the federal courts only judges who will be 'strict constructionists,' meaning they will apply the Constitution as it was written and ratified. The people nominated by President Bush have declared they would do this. So what really is the problem with these people? Obviously they don't see things like the vast left wing of the Democrat party. But why is that bad?

159185[/snapback]

My friend, when provided an actual illustration of what these "strict constructionist" believe, you thought it was too extreme to be real.

http://www.aunation.net/forums/index.php?s...ndpost&p=157073

[AURaptor 1,125]

You imply you've written this and used those sources. Are you the author?

That's your interpretation. I've implied no such thing. This comes from Factcheck.org.

A fictional view of the Filibuster

[TexasTiger 12,952]

You imply you've written this and used those sources. Are you the author?

That's your interpretation. I've implied no such thing. This comes from Factcheck.org.

A fictional view of the Filibuster

159197[/snapback]

By failing to quote it or link it, yes you did.

[TrueBlue72 0]

One thing that TA and the libbies can't seem to understand is the difference between blocking a nominee when you are the party controlling the sentate and filibustering against a nominee when you are the minority party in the senate.

While Clinton was president, or at least for much of that time, the Republicans controlled congress and were perfectly within their rights to vote down or prevent from coming to a vote, candidates whose views were contrary to the constitution. The filibusters and dirty tactics (remember Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas) have almost always been done by the demoncrats.

The party controlling the senate has every right to turn down a judicial nominee! The president is not guaranteed automatic approval of his nominees, nor should he be. But each nominee deserves to be voted upon, one way or the other. Changing the rules to the "Byrd option"...... wonder why the demoncrats didn't think of it in such negative terms when their exalted leader used the same tactic.... to limit debate and force a vote is the perogative of the party in power. The demoncrats are NOT the party in power!!!! Get used to it or change the principles of the party to make it more palatable to the American voter.

[TexasTiger 12,952]

One thing that TA and the libbies can't seem to understand is the difference between blocking a nominee when you are the party controlling the sentate and filibustering against a nominee when you are the minority party in the senate.

While Clinton was president, or at least for much of that time, the Republicans controlled congress and were perfectly within their rights to vote down or prevent from coming to a vote, candidates whose views were contrary to the constitution.  The filibusters and dirty tactics (remember Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas) have almost always been done by the demoncrats. 

The party controlling the senate has every right to turn down a judicial nominee!  The president is not guaranteed automatic approval of his nominees, nor should he be.  But each nominee deserves to be voted upon, one way or the other.  Changing the rules to the "Byrd option"......  wonder why the demoncrats didn't think of it in such negative terms when their exalted leader used the same tactic.... to limit debate and force a vote is the perogative of the party in power.  The demoncrats are NOT the party in power!!!!  Get used to it or change the principles of the party to make it more palatable to the American voter.

159217[/snapback]

I thought the principle at play is the "up or down" vote on the floor. Majority party can vote down a nominee, too. They never let them get a vote.

[Tiger Al 0]

The Democrats response: Mommy, Mommy they have done it too!  They did it too, they did it too! We're going to get even with you! Whatever...

Oh and Al how the heck would your liberal democrats know when someone is out of the mainstream?  They know where that stream is?  The dems haven't been in the mainstream for years and you know it. OK.

Your contention that the dems have shown good-faith by confirming 207 is way off. Why??? You wave that around like it is a red badge of courage. No, I wave it around because it's a fact. Those who have been confirmed did so on their own merits. And the 10 have not for the same reason.  Just as every candidate should be judged and voted on.  Why are you guys so afraid of an up and down vote?Because there aren't enough republicans with a backbone to say "No" to Georgie.  If these candidates are as extreme as you say, then there will be plenty of Republicans who vote accordingly. No, and that's one of the problems. The majority have a "Yessa, massa" relationship with Dubya.  This is nothing more than democrats putting on a show for their radical left wing constituents. If you and Cal say so.  Looking to make a show before the mid term elections.  Looking to show their radical left wing extremists that they have stood up to W. Of course, your little fantasy vanishes when compared with reality. The good guys have been fighting these 10 extremists for two or three years.

159180[/snapback]

[Tiger Al 0]

One thing that TA and the libbies can't seem to understand is the difference between blocking a nominee when you are the party controlling the sentate and filibustering against a nominee when you are the minority party in the senate.

While Clinton was president, or at least for much of that time, the Republicans controlled congress and were perfectly within their rights to vote down or prevent from coming to a vote, candidates whose views were contrary to the constitution.  The filibusters and dirty tactics (remember Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas) have almost always been done by the demoncrats. 

The party controlling the senate has every right to turn down a judicial nominee!  The president is not guaranteed automatic approval of his nominees, nor should he be.  But each nominee deserves to be voted upon, one way or the other.  Changing the rules to the "Byrd option"......  wonder why the demoncrats didn't think of it in such negative terms when their exalted leader used the same tactic.... to limit debate and force a vote is the perogative of the party in power.  The demoncrats are NOT the party in power!!!!  Get used to it or change the principles of the party to make it more palatable to the American voter.

159217[/snapback]

In addition to what TexasTiger said, the difference in what you're saying is acceptable behavior is that one Senator, Sessions for example, could anonymously put a "hold" on a nominee, Richard Paez for example, and he wouldn't even get a hearing, much less a vote. One Senator. One.

[Tigermike 3,037]

One thing that TA and the libbies can't seem to understand is the difference between blocking a nominee when you are the party controlling the sentate and filibustering against a nominee when you are the minority party in the senate.

While Clinton was president, or at least for much of that time, the Republicans controlled congress and were perfectly within their rights to vote down or prevent from coming to a vote, candidates whose views were contrary to the constitution.  The filibusters and dirty tactics (remember Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas) have almost always been done by the demoncrats. 

The party controlling the senate has every right to turn down a judicial nominee!  The president is not guaranteed automatic approval of his nominees, nor should he be.  But each nominee deserves to be voted upon, one way or the other.  Changing the rules to the "Byrd option"......  wonder why the demoncrats didn't think of it in such negative terms when their exalted leader used the same tactic.... to limit debate and force a vote is the perogative of the party in power.  The demoncrats are NOT the party in power!!!!  Get used to it or change the principles of the party to make it more palatable to the American voter.

159217[/snapback]

In addition to what TexasTiger said, the difference in what you're saying is acceptable behavior is that one Senator, Sessions for example, could anonymously put a "hold" on a nominee, Richard Paez for example, and he wouldn't even get a hearing, much less a vote. One Senator. One.

159221[/snapback]

Was Richard Paez, confirmed?

One Judge. One.

[Jenny AU-92 0]

If a president nominates someone so far out of the mainstream and wants the majority in Senate to simply rubberstamp that nominee, I think the minority should have some way to block it. The problem here is Bush's insistence on pushing these extreme judges toward lifetime appointments, not the minority's reluctance to pucker up. They've already shown good-faith by confirming 207. Bush should nominate 10 more like them and they'll get confirmed. Too easy.

159174[/snapback]

SO FAR OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM? Wow. That is an amazing statement. Bush won with a sizeable majority, didn't he? And from what I am reading, a lot of the hold-up seems to be because some Senate Dems have their panties in a twist and their lips run out...

They include "the Michigan three." Their nominations to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have been held up by Michigan's two Democratic senators largely because Republicans would not allow even hearings on Clinton's nominees for the same court.

Link

In one instance, Democrats are blocking three nominees (Sutton, Cook, and Roberts) because party leaders are angry at Judiciary Committee chairman Orrin Hatch for considering them all in one hearing instead of separate sessions. In another instance, Democrats are objecting to a nominee (Kuhl) because they say Republicans have given too little deference to blue-slip issues. In another (Estrada), Democrats say they haven't been given enough information to make a decision.

Link

ANd I LOVE this little statement - talk about HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, sorry, I forgot... it's okay for pinko judges to re-write the Constitution according to his or her own beliefs. (Gay marriage)

Why should we overturn 200 years of checks and balances to put a far right judicial activist o the bench?  Brown's duty as a California Supreme Court Justice is to interpret the law, not rewrite it, but Brown repeatedly issues opinions attempting to write her own beliefs into law.

Link to Pinko Site

[Tigermike 3,037]

Al, answer the question.

Was Richard Paez, confirmed?

One Judge. One.

[Tiger Al 0]

Al, answer the question.

Was Richard Paez, confirmed?

One Judge. One.

159285[/snapback]

After four years he was.

[AURaptor 1,125]

By failing to quote it or link it, yes you did.

No, I didn't. This is merely a message board, not a college class or a place one submits papers for peer review. Apologies if you mistook my post, no intent was meant to deceive. If you're simply looking to nit pick, then

[Tigermike 3,037]

Al, answer the question.

Was Richard Paez, confirmed?

One Judge. One.

159285[/snapback]

After four years he was.

159288[/snapback]

So the people that President Bush has nominated just have not waited long enough. If they wait four years they will be confirmed?

[Tigermike 3,037]

By failing to quote it or link it, yes you did.

No, I didn't. This is merely a message board, not a college class or a place one submits papers for peer review. Apologies if you mistook my post, no intent was meant to deceive. If you're simply looking to nit pick, then

159295[/snapback]

Don't let it bother you Raptor, their drawers are still balled up over Joe Bidden.