Posted on 07/01/2005 4:35:51 PM PDT by GOPGuide
I'm working multiple sources and have this wrap up before I head off for the 4th of July. A source close to the Attorney General says that Garza is still the frontrunner. This source speculates that Cornyn has been asked to do interference for the President. A White House source tells me Garza is still at the top of the list for O'Connor, but Cornyn was there and people are being relatively silent on his situation. My primary source tells me Cornyn should not be discounted, but Garza is who the source has said all along for O'Connor, with the possibility of Edith Brown Clements. Third parties are telling me we'll start hearing about John Roberts again as well as Edith Brown Clements. Also, the media will begin looking at both Cornyn and Garza. The long and the short of it is we have no real clue right now and we do not want to buy into too many unsubstantiated rumors. Now, let me say this: sources in the press, in the White House, and in the Senate have all said (1) Rehnquist should be out and they are somewhat surprised he is not; (2) Garza is the most credible O'Connor replacement; and (3) President Bush loves to play wild cards and Cornyn is a wild card. Cornyn makes sense from both a wild card perspective and from a conspiracy perspective (you know, Bush controls Governor Perry so Karl can move to the Senate). Garza has been the most widely circulated name with Edith Brown Clements flying under the radar and the odds are still good for him. It would make sense for Cornyn to be running interference. He is well liked by members on both sides of the aisle and would have familiarity with Garza from their days down in Fifth Circuit territory.
We do know that the President will not formally pick anyone until he returns from the G8. In the meantime, this is the perfect opportunity for the White House to throw a bunch of names out there and see who sinks or swims on the Sunday morning talk shows.
We know one thing for sure -- this thing is open and the battle is going to be hard fought.
As for Gonzales? I got a cryptic email from someone who works with Gonzales. He rules out Gonzales and says Gonzales knows this is not his time.
Update [2005-7-1 17:3:47 by Erick]:Last week Bill Frist gave three names to Harry Reid. Garza was on the list and is rumored to have been at the top of the list. Reid rejected all three names as unacceptable. Frist advised the President to prepare for a fight. The President intends to fight. Source on this is not my usual source, but is trusted.
">>>and says Gonzales knows this is not his time.
Not now. Not EVER."
Amen in spades. He may be the one weakling Bush will put in there just before he leaves just to please his masters.
Hugh Hewitt said earlier that, in essence, the only problem with Garza is his age (almost 58). Luttig, by comparison, is 51 and can give us several more years on the bench and hundreds of additional votes on decisions.
Garza looks like a solid conservative. He also gives some regional deference as Texas and Arizona aren't that far apart. A 20 year career on the supreme court by a solid conservative is fair return on '04' election, imo.
Notre Dame grads should provide broadbased support and Marine Corp service doesn't hurt. He sounds like the kind of mainstream conservative Sen. McCain could sponsor and demonstrate some leadership by getting him quickly confirmed.
It would be interesting what current senators on both sides of the aisle said about Garza during his nomination and confirmation for 5th circuit.
Garza is first, Luttig is second. That's what I hear.
O'Connor going first assures Bush of Hispanic Pick, now he can use more conservative -- and less controversial pick of Garza to bolster court.
Oh, but the MSM will thrive upon such speculations!
We know one thing for sure -- this thing is open and the battle is going to be hard fought.
That's a gimme since the "Chappaquiddick Kid" has already subtly denounced any of Dubya's picks before knowing who it is.(and he actually sounded sober and contrite!)
Anymore I would expect the DNC to fight any pick even if it were to be Ramsey Clark!
However, if that were to be the case then they would finally have substantiation in their denouncing of a Dubya' pick.
What is Quark's opinion of stare decisis? (Yes I am a fan of DS9!)
;)
"Garza is first, Luttig is second."
And either a conservative woman like Edith Jones or Alberto Gonzales for #3 because I'm hearing Ruddibager Ginsburg is thinking of throwing in the towel sometime next year due to health issues.
If Ginsburg goes, I think Bush will appoint a Conservative Woman like Jones, Owen, or Clement despite the fact that he REALLY wants Aztlan Gonzales on the SCOTUS.
My reasoning is that if Ginsburg leaves, Bush will be under pressure to leave at least one women on the court, particularly if Bush's approval among women remains poor. Secondly he will already have played the Hispanic card with Garza, and Gonzales won't get Bush any more Brownie points.
Also the Conservative activists will want to add the 5th Conservative to a Luttig, Scalia, Thomas, Garza court Conservative majority. Alberto will still be unacceptable to the grassroots unless Bush gets a 4th pick should Stevens finally kick the bucket after 4000 years on the court.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.