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Collusion Memos
Coalition for a Fair Judiciary ^ | 11/18/03

Posted on 11/19/2003 8:11:00 AM PST by William McKinley

Edited on 11/19/2003 10:40:52 AM PST by Lead Moderator. [history]

DEMOCRATS ON JUDGES

A series of Democrat memos on judicial nominations was leaked to the Wall Street Journal, where it was the subject of a November 14 editorial. The most disturbing information in the memos is highlighted in the editorial, which is attached. As one memo makes clear, for example, Democrats specifically targeted Miguel Estrada because he is Hispanic. (That memo alone would seem to give Estrada a prima facie Title VII claim.)

The source of the memos is unclear. The sheer volume of the memos, however, suggests that the memos weren't simply misplaced by someone – they appear to have been intentionally leaked by a Democrat. Also, the memos, which begin in late 2001, cut off suddenly in April 2003. This suggests that they came from a former staffer, rather than someone who recently accessed Democrats' computers. Finally, the only information blacked out in the memos is staffers' names. Whoever leaked these memos did not care about the Senators, but apparently knew the staffers and cared enough to spare them embarrassment.

It bears keeping in mind that the groups and ideology described in these memos are driving not just Judiciary Democrats, but virtually all of the Senate Democrats. With the exception of Senator Nelson of Nebraska and Senator Miller, every Democrat Senator has voted to repeatedly filibuster judicial nominees this year. Indeed, aside from these two and Senator Breaux, who supported cloture on Estrada and Pickering, Senator Nelson of Florida (Estrada) and Senator Jeffords (Pickering), every other Democrat has voted to filibuster every single nominee targeted by the groups and Judiciary Democrats. Senate Democrats have voted to filibuster judicial nominees 16 times so far this year.

Two noteworthy themes emerge in the memos:

1. The Extreme-Left Groups' Total Control over the Democrats' Actions on Judicial Nominations. The memos repeatedly make clear that a small collection of extreme-left groups – abortion groups, race organizations, and leftist groups specifically focused on judges – are driving the Democrats' agenda and decisions. These groups tell Democrats which judicial nominees to attack and vote down, when to hold hearings on which nominee, how many hearings to hold, and rules for allowing floor votes. The memos even indicate that the groups persuaded Democrats to delay nominations in order to affect pending cases. Two of the Durbin memos identify the principal groups as: National Abortion Rights Action League, Alliance for Justice, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, People for the American Way, Association of University Women, National Women's Law Center, and National Partnership. All of these groups support abortion on demand and partial-birth abortion, oppose parental notification, and support widespread use of race in public hiring and distribution of public benefits. Passages from the memos include:

2. Ideological Extremism and Crass Partisanship. The memos also reveal the extreme views and attitudes and cold political calculations motivating the Democrats' actions on judges.


Transcribed text of one memo:

To: Senator Durbin
From: [Blacked out]
Date: November 7, 2001
Re: Meeting with Civil Rights Leaders Yesterday to Discuss Judges


Due to the floor activity last night, you missed a meeting with Senator Kennedy and representatives of various civil rights groups. This was intended to follow up a meeting in Senator Kennedy's office in mid-October, when the groups expressed serious concern with the quick hearing for Charles Pickering and the pace of judicial nominations generally.

Yesterday's meeting accomplished two objectives. First, the groups advocated for some procedural ground rules. These include (1) only one hearing per monthl (2) no more than three judges per hearing; (3) giving Committee Democrats and the public more advance notice of scheduled nominees; (4) no recess hearings; and (5) a commitment that nominees voted down in Committee will not get a floor vote. Earlier yesterday, Senator Leahy's staff committed to the third item in principle.

Second, yesterday's meeting focused on identifying the most controversial and/or vulnerable judicial nominees, and a strategy for targeting them. The groups singled out three-- Jeffrey Sutton (6th Circuit); Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit); and Caroline Kuhl (9th Circuit) -- as a potential nominee for a contentious hearing early next year, with a eye to voting him or her down in Committee. They also identified Miguel Estrada (D.C. Circuit) as especially dangerous, because he has a minimal paper trail, he is Latino, and the White House seems to be grooming him for a Supreme Court appointment. They want to hold Estrada off as long as possible.

Attached is a table I compiled, evaluating the 19 Court of Appeals nominees and a few of the controversial district court nominees. Based on input from the groups, I would place the appellate nominees in the categories below. Asterisks indicate that a Senator has placed a hold on the nominee.

Good Bad Ugly
Clifton (9th Cir.)* Shedd (4th Cir.) Boyle (4th Cir.)*
Melloy (8th Cir.) Roberts (D.C. Cir) Owen (5th Cir.)
O'Brien (10th Cir.) L. Smith (8th Cir.) Sutton (6th Cir.) *
Howard (1st Cir.) Pickering (5th Cir.) Cook (6th Cir.)*
B. Smith (3rd Cir.) Tymkovich (10th Cir.) McConnell (10th Cir.)
Gibbons (6th Cir.) Estrada (D.C. Cir.)
Steele (11th Cir.) Kuhl (9th Cir.)*


Text of second memo transcribed:

To: Senator [Kennedy]
From: [Blacked out]
Subject: Judges and the Latino Community
Date: February 28, 2002

Ralph Nees called to let us know that he had lunch with Andy Stern of SEIU. Andy wants to be helpful as we move forward on judges, and he has great contacts with Latino media outlets- Univision and others. Ralph told Andy that you are anxious to develop a strategy for the Supreme Court and a strategy for dealing with conservative Latino Circuit Court nominees that are hostile to constitutional and civil rights. Ralph and Andy discussed the possibility of a relatively small meeting to discuss media strategy, and Andy believes there are several Latino media leaders who share our concerns and would like to meet with you. Ralph proposes that you meet with key Latino media leaders, Raul, Antonia, Wade, and Ralph. [Blacked out] and I think this is a very good idea.

Would you like to have such a meeting to discuss media strategy and the Latino community? If so, Ralph and Andy will take the lead in getting everyone to DC.

DECISION:

Yes, I want to meet with them _____ No, I don't want to meet _____

CC: [Blacked out]


Text of third memo transcribed:

To: Senator Durbin
From: [Blacked out]
Date: June 3, 2002
Re: Meeting with Civil Rights Leaders to Discuss Judicial Nominations Strategy


Senator Kennedy has invited you and Senator Schumer to attend a meeting with civil rights leaders to discuss their priorities as the Judiciary Committe considers judicial nominees in the coming months. For example, they believe that the Committe's current pace for nominations hearings (every two weeks) is too quick; and they need more time to consider the record of Judge Dennis Shedd, a controversial 4th Circuit nominee whom Senator Hollings is backing.

This meeting is intended to follow-up your meetings in Senator Kennedy's office last fall. The guest list will be the same: Kate Milchelman (NARAL), Nan Aron (Alliance for Justice), Wade Henderson (Leadership Conference on Civil Rights), Ralph Neas (People For the American Way), Nancy Zirkin (American Association of University Women), Marcia Greenberger (National Women's Law Center), and Judy Lichtman (National Partnership). The meeting has been tentatively scheduled for late Wednesday morning.

Assuming your schedule permits, do you want to accept Kennedy's invitation and attend the meeting?


Text of fourth memo transcribed:

To: SENATOR [Kennedy] September 27, 2002
From: [Blacked out]
Re: Members Meeting on Judges- Monday or Tuesday, Place TBA


There will be a judiciary members' meeting early next week. We are trying to schedule the meeting for Monday, after the 5:30 vote, though Leahy has proposed after the Caucus lunch on Tuesday, which would conflict with your schedule. Sen. Leahy is calling this meeting at the request of several members, and, we recommend that the following items be discussed: (1) Delaying a hearing for Cook; (2) Putting off a vote on McConnell or Estrada until after the recess; and (3) next Thursday's vote on Shedd.

Cook
As you know, Debbie Cook--who currently sits on the Ohio Supreme Court-- is a nominee to the 6th Circuit who is fiercely opposed by labor and civil rights groups in Ohio. Sen. Leahy wants to schedule Cook for a hearing on October 9th or 10th, because he feels he has made a promise to DeWine to do so.

While we haven't finished reviewing Cook's record, Justice Cook-- like Justice Owen-- seems terrible in cases involving workers and consumers. She is the most prolific dissenter on the moderate Ohio Supreme Court. In her judicial campaigns-- Ohio, like Texas, elects its judges-- she has received more money than any other justice from manufacturing and business, and has received no money from labor unions. The Ohio Chanber of Commerce has given her its highest ratings for her decisions in employment law, insurance, and medical malpractice cases. On the other hand, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers has written the committee that Cook is "willing to disregard precedent, mininterpret legislative intent and ignore constitutional mandates in an effort to achieve a result that favors business over consumers." Ohio NOW and the Ohio Employment Lawyer's Association have written that Cook's "anti-worker record is becoming legendary in Ohio" and that her opinions seek to undermine the enforcement of state and federal civil rights laws. She is known for adopting strained or extreme legal propositions to deny relief for workers, and is seen as "heartless" and indifferent.

Sen. Leahy has asked whether you would be willing to chair a hearing for Cook on October 9th or 10th. We believe that you should agree to chair her hearing, but that you should push back against scheduling this hearing before the elections. The Committee has held hearings on too many controversial nominees in a row. Not only would preparing for Cook's hearing be a challenge, but it would demoralize Democrats' key constituents--in particular, labor-- to have a hearing for her before the election.

AFL-CIO has weighed in with Daschle and Reed (as well as Leahy) about delaying Cook and Reed and Daschle have said they will discuss Cook with Leahy. Sen. Levin, who is opposed to moving any additional 6th Circuit nominees given that the White House is not cooperating with him regarding nominees to that circuit, will likely be approaching Democratic members about delaying Cook.

Recommendation: Agree to chair a hearing for Cook, but after the election in the lame-duck session.

McConnell and Estrada
Sen. Leahy might want to schedule a Committe vote on McConnell and Estrada before the recess. We think this is a terrible idea and that voting on (and for) these nominees would be demoralizing to our base before the election. McConnell likely has sufficient votes to go through the Committee, but members have not yet submitted follow-up questions to him regarding contradictory statements he made at the hearing about his views on abortion, the Bob Jones case, and the constitutionality of the FACT act. As for Estrada, he just had his hearing and we certainly should not move him forward without resolving the matter concerning the SG memos.

Recommendation: Do not schedule a vote on McConnell and Estrada until after the election.

Shedd
Shedd-- the nominee to the Fourth Circuit who has terrible record in cases involving civil rights, women's rights, disability and federalism, and who is fiercely opposed by Southern Civil Rights groups (see attached article)-- is scheduled for next Thursday's Exec. We do not know how other members will vote regarding Shedd. We have heard that Sen. Edwards and Sen. Durbin are leaning against Shedd.

It is likely that Leahy will vote Shedd and we suggest that you record a "no" vote on him. Particularly given the high percentage of African-Americans on the Fourth Circuit and the Republicans' reisstances to placing Clinton nominees on that Court, it seems necessary to resist a judge with such a dismal record on core civil rights and constitutional issues. While Shedd doesn't have the "cross-burning" case of Pickering to disqualify him, he is as bad--perhaps worse-- on the core substantive issues.

CC: [Blacked out]


Text of fifth transcribed memo:

To: [Blacked out]
From: [Blacked out]
CC: [Blacked out]
Re: Members Meeting with Leader Daschle
Date: January 30, 2003


This afternoon, Democratic members of the Judiciary Committee met with Leader Daschle and Assistant Leader Reid to discuss Miguel Estrada. In addition to Daschle and Reid, Senators Leahy, Durbin, Edwards, Kennedy, Feinstein and Schumer attended.

All in attendance agreed to attempt to filibuster the nomination of Miguel Estrada, if they have the votes to defeat cloture. They are also agreed that, if they do not have the votes to defeat cloture, a contested loss would be better than no contest.

All in attendance, including Senators Daschle and Reid, voiced the view that the Estrada nomination should be stopped because 1) Not to do so would set a precedent, permitting the Republicans to force through all future controversial nominees without answering Senators' questions or providing important information; 2) Estrada is likley to be a Supreme Court nominee, and it will be much harder to defeat him in a Supreme Court setting if he is confirmed easily now; 3) The process must be slowed down and the Republicans' attempt to set up an automatic "assembly line" of controversial nominees thwarted; and 4) the Democratic base is particularly energized over this issue.

It is expected that a motion to proceed to the nomination will be brought to the floor on Monday. The Democrats do not intend to oppose that motion. A motion for cloture could be voted on as early as Wednesday.

Leader Daschle asked all Democratic members of the Committee to spend the time between now and Tuesday speaking to Senators who have questions about Estrada, and to attempt to recruit votes to oppose cloture. The topic may also be discussed at the Democratic Senators' retreat tomorrow. On Tuesday, Senator Daschle intends to raise it at the policy lunch, and presumably conduct a vote count.

Everyone also agreed to keep this matter confidential.


Text of sixth transcribed memo:

February 4, 2003
To: SENATOR [Kennedy]
From: [Blacked out]
Subject: Judges, Judiciary Issues, Meeting with Civil Rights Leaders

Estrada

The Senator-to-Senator conversations continue and things appear to be going well. That being said, we've heard that Breaux will support Estrada, Landreiu is a problem, but many are focused on her. Bayh is also on the fence. Edwards spoke with him without much luck, and Senator Bayh, Sr. is going to speak with him, too. Would you be willing to speak with him, as well? I understand he has some substantive questions that we've been trying to answer through his staff, but he's also concerned because he doesn't want to be like the Republicans or part of a witch hunt. I think you-- speaking from 40+ years of experience-- can help him understand how the process has changed and why it's important to focus on Estrada (he refuses to answer questions, and we know of his temperament/ideological problems, he'll fly to the Supreme Court and we won't be able to stop him). Do you want to speak with Bayh?

You should also know that Wad spoke with Kerry and told him that they want him to take a leadership role on this issue. Kerry agreed but wants to speak with you. I think you should encourage Kerry to speak on the floor. Do you agree?

Judiciary Hearing (Wednesday 9:30 AM) & Exec (Thursday 9:30 AM)

Hearing As you know, there will be a nominations hearing on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. [Blacked out] put a memo in the bag on Moday evening-- the nominee is Jay Bybee (9th Cir.). Not surprisingly, Bybee is an awful nominee. As the memo outlines, he has serious immigration, gun control, tribunal/detainee problems. We believe you should attend the hearing and ask him questions. I know that the Powell speech begins at 10:30 and there will be press associated with it. But, if you could drop by the hearing for 15 minutes (@11:30) to ask Bybee questions, it would be very, very helpful. We know this is a marathon and not a sprint and that we have to choose our battles, but we also feel that it's important to ask that bad nominees questions at the hearing. Bybee shouldn't get a complete pass and at this point, only 2 or 3 Democrats can attend the hearing.

Exec. There will be a Judiciary Exec on Thursday at 9:30. I don't think you need to attend, but you should know that (a) we expect Sutton, Roberts and Cook to be on the schedule and held over and (b) the nasty concel/carry gun bill (the one you fought at the end of last year) will also be on the schedule. We'll have it held over, but this means we should discuss your strategy for next week.


Text of seventh transcribed memo:

Conversation with Daschle - Estrada and Beyond


Text of eighth transcribed memo:

Talking Points on Estrada for Caucus


Text of ninth transcribed memo:

OWEN TALKING POINTS FOR CAUCUS


Text of tenth memo transcribed:

April 7, 2003
To: SENATOR [Kennedy]
From: [blacked out]
Subject: OWEN-ON FLOOR


We have heard that the Republicans will move to a vote on Owen's nomination this afternoon. Leadership plans to withhold consent to a time agreement, and we imagine that the debate could begin as early as tonight and continue at least through tomorrow. [Blacked out] is talking to leadership about the possibility of convening a meeting with Judiciary Dems. Owen will be discussed in Caucus tomorrow, and we will provide you talking points. We have also heard that Sen. Feinstein is convening a meeting of the women's Senators today after the floor vote.

We have heard that several Democratic Senators have expressed concern about any filibuster of a judicial nominee that is based on substance, as opposed to process. [hand annotation: "they'll get over this after Estrada"] The Senators that may be wavering or opposed to an extended debate are: Lincoln, Pryor, Carper, Graham, Nelson (FL), Nelson (NE), Bayh, Landreiu, Breaux, Dorgan, Conrad, Baucus, Hollings, Bryd [sic], and Miller.

It would be helpful, if during the floor vote, you spoke to some of these Members. The key points are:

CC: [blocked out]


Text of eleventh memo (email) transcribed:

From: Allison Herwitt [AHERWITT@prochoiceamerica.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 11:04 AM
CC: [blacked out]
Subject: Owen floor vote

At any time, Senate leaders may bring the nomination of Priscilla Owen to the Fifth Circuit Court to the floor for a full Senate vote. NARAL Pro-Choice America strongly opposes this nomination and will score this vote [hand annotation: "This is how they enforce discipline"] in the 2003 Congressional Record on Choice.

Last year the Judiciary Committee rejected nominations of both Priscilla Owen and Charles Pickering - both based on the nominees' records of hostility to constitutional freedoms and civil rights. In spite of this, President Bush renominated both individuals. Last week the Judiciary Committee, now under anti-choice control, reversed course and approved the Owen nomination, sending it to the floor in spite of earlier defeat. The Owen nomination represents a grave threat to a woman's right to choose; pro-choice senators should not approve this lifetime appointment to the federal bench.

Clearly, these are actions of a judicial activist intent on using her power to influence and rewrite - not fairly interpret - the law. Were she confirmed to a lifetime appointment to the Fifth Circuit, her decisions could affect women's reproductive freedom for a generation to come.

Many of President Bush's judicial nominees, including Priscilla Own, have sought to reassure the Senate about their views on a woman's right to choose by claiming that they will follow "settled law". This is a simplistic and facile reponse to a legitimate concern. In the 1992 case Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Supreme Court relaxed the standard by which laws restricting abortion were to be judged. The test for such laws was no longer "strict scrutiny" but merely whether such laws imposted an "undue burden" on a woman's right to choose. This lower standard has given the green light to anti-choice advocates and state legislators, and indeed, many new restrictions on reproductive rights have been enacted post-Casey. State laws abridging freedom of choice are evaluated by judges who use their own discretion in deciding whether an anti-choice law imposes an "undue burden". Yet when one is hostile to the right in the first instance, it is questionable whether one would ever find the burden undue. Indeed, NARAL Pro-Choice America's analysis of 32 court of appeals cases applying Casey shows that only 18 of these cases were decided by unanimous panels. That is, more than half the time judges viewing the same facts and law reached different conclusions. In other words, in this post-Casey era, "settled law" is actually in turmoil.

Finally, in understanding the potential consequences of the Owen nomination, and others like it, one must consider the importance of circuit courts overall. While Supreme Court nominations receive the most public attention, circuit courts can have just as much or more effect on the law as the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court typically hears fewer than 100 cases a year; the federal courts of appeal, the courts immediately below the Supreme Court, decide almost 30,000 cases a year. Thus, for most Americans, these are the courts of last resort. Conservative activists realized this long ago, and set out on an patient but relentless effort to capture the courts. Patrick Buchanan summed up the right-wing's plan: "(Our conservative judicial appointment strategy) could do more to advance the social agenda- school prayer, anti-pornography, anti-busing, right-to-life, and quotas in employment- than anything Congress can accomplish in 20 years."

President Bush and anti-choice advocates and lawmakers are continuing to implement this strategy, and nominations like Priscilla Owen's are critical to their success. NARAL Pro-Choice America urges senators to vote "no" on the Owen nomination.

Attached are important materials on Priscilla Owen's work to undermine reproductive rights. We hope you find this information helpful and, as always, invite you to call Allison Herwitt at xxx-xxxx or Donna (illegible) at xxx-xxxx with any questions. [attachment file names not typed]



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KEYWORDS: 2004memo; 3branchesofgovt; aa; activistjudges; bigots; collusionmemos; courts; democrats; dems; durbin; estradamemo; judicialnominees; judiciary; liberalagenda; mannymiranda; manuelmiranda; memogate; memogate2; memos; miranda; obstruction; obstructionists; partisanpolitics; racebaiting; racialdivison; racism; racists; rattricks; ruleonlawdontmakeit; scotus; specialinterests; talkingpoints; tedkennedy
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To: William McKinley
A November 2001 memo to Durbin also notes that the groups have "identified Miguel Estrada as especially dangerous, because he has a minimal paper trail, he is Latino, and the White House seems to be grooming him for a Supreme Court appointment.

Where is the outrage? Oh, never mind. It's not a republican memo.

21 posted on 11/19/2003 8:32:58 AM PST by Strider
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To: William McKinley
Time to apply pressure on those obstructionist socialist democrats. This news is not a surprise considering the actions of the senate Judiciary Committee, but it is indeed disturbing the vast left wing conspiracy the memo(s) represent.
22 posted on 11/19/2003 8:35:11 AM PST by o_zarkman44
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To: William McKinley
A clear violation of the oath of office - at the very least.
23 posted on 11/19/2003 8:37:45 AM PST by Triple (All forms of socialism deny individuals the right to the fruits of their labor)
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To: Damocles
I'm sad to say that unless Michael Jackson was caught molesting Scott Peterson during the filibuster nothing will come of this. National news in both print and TV has become an utter waste.
24 posted on 11/19/2003 8:38:21 AM PST by avg_freeper (Gunga galunga. Gunga, gunga galunga)
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To: William McKinley
Please tell the alphabet channels to keep this hush hush...we don't want this getting out... because no sense in alarming/alerting/educating the public...(sarcasm).
If the sheeple don't hear it from the leftist lamestream media then they'll believe it as false.
25 posted on 11/19/2003 8:44:12 AM PST by oust the louse
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Transcribed text of one memo:
To: Senator Durbin
From: [Blacked out]
Date: November 7, 2001
Re: Meeting with Civil Rights Leaders Yesterday to Discuss Judges


Due to the floor activity last night, you missed a meeting with Senator Kennedy and representatives of various civil rights groups. This was intended to follow up a meeting in Senator Kennedy's office in mid-October, when the groups expressed serious concern with the quick hearing for Charles Pickering and the pace of judicial nominations generally.

Yesterday's meeting accomplished two objectives. First, the groups advocated for some procedural ground rules. These include (1) only one hearing per monthl (2) no more than three judges per hearing; (3) giving Committee Democrats and the public more advance notice of scheduled nominees; (4) no recess hearings; and (5) a commitment that nominees voted down in Committee will not get a floor vote. Earlier yesterday, Senator Leahy's staff committed to the third item in principle.

Second, yesterday's meeting focused on identifying the most controversial and/or vulnerable judicial nominees, and a strategy for targeting them. The groups singled out three-- Jeffrey Sutton (6th Circuit); Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit); and Caroline Kuhl (9th Circuit) -- as a potential nominee for a contentious hearing early next year, with a eye to voting him or her down in Committee. They also identified Miguel Estrada (D.C. Circuit) as especially dangerous, because he has a minimal paper trail, he is Latino, and the White House seems to be grooming him for a Supreme Court appointment. They want to hold Estrada off as long as possible.

Attached is a table I compiled, evaluating the 19 Court of Appeals nominees and a few of the controversial district court nominees. Based on input from the groups, I would place the appellate nominees in the categories below. Asterisks indicate that a Senator has placed a hold on the nominee.

Good Bad Ugly
Clifton (9th Cir.)* Shedd (4th Cir.) Boyle (4th Cir.)*
Melloy (8th Cir.) Roberts (D.C. Cir) Owen (5th Cir.)
O'Brien (10th Cir.) L. Smith (8th Cir.) Sutton (6th Cir.) *
Howard (1st Cir.) Pickering (5th Cir.) Cook (6th Cir.)*
B. Smith (3rd Cir.) Tymkovich (10th Cir.) McConnell (10th Cir.)
Gibbons (6th Cir.) Estrada (D.C. Cir.)
Steele (11th Cir.) Kuhl (9th Cir.)*

26 posted on 11/19/2003 8:46:51 AM PST by William McKinley (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1024758/posts <------- Never forget who castrated our intel)
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To: William McKinley
Great Job!
Anyone else thinking Zell Miller has something to do with this? Sean Hannity gave him two segments a bit ago and now holds (and is screaming about) these memos.

Could be just my tin-foil hat needs adjusting...
27 posted on 11/19/2003 8:47:10 AM PST by netmilsmom (Lost my 4th E-Bay auction, Kid's sick, Dad in CA & out of coffee - Just shoot me now!)
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To: William McKinley
bump
28 posted on 11/19/2003 8:48:05 AM PST by Tuscaloosa Goldfinch
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To: Admin Moderator
Can you, perhaps, add the memos as I put them into HTML to the body of this thread?
29 posted on 11/19/2003 8:48:13 AM PST by William McKinley (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1024758/posts <------- Never forget who castrated our intel)
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To: William McKinley
Done.
30 posted on 11/19/2003 8:50:14 AM PST by Lead Moderator
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Text of second memo transcribed:
To: Senator [Kennedy]
From: [Blacked out]
Subject: Judges and the Latino Community
Date: February 28, 2002

Ralph Nees called to let us know that he had lunch with Andy Stern of SEIU. Andy wants to be helpful as we move forward on judges, and he has great contacts with Latino media outlets- Univision and others. Ralph told Andy that you are anxious to develop a strategy for the Supreme Court and a strategy for dealing with conservative Latino Circuit Court nominees that are hostile to constitutional and civil rights. Ralph and Andy discussed the possibility of a relatively small meeting to discuss media strategy, and Andy believes there are several Latino media leaders who share our concerns and would like to meet with you. Ralph proposes that you meet with key Latino media leaders, Raul, Antonia, Wade, and Ralph. [Blacked out] and I think this is a very good idea.

Would you like to have such a meeting to discuss media strategy and the Latino community? If so, Ralph and Andy will take the lead in getting everyone to DC.

DECISION:

Yes, I want to meet with them _____ No, I don't want to meet _____

CC: [Blacked out]


31 posted on 11/19/2003 8:56:06 AM PST by William McKinley (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1024758/posts <------- Never forget who castrated our intel)
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To: William McKinley
Text of third memo transcribed:
To: Senator Durbin
From: [Blacked out]
Date: June 3, 2002
Re: Meeting with Civil Rights Leaders to Discuss Judicial Nominations Strategy


Senator Kennedy has invited you and Senator Schumer to attend a meeting with civil rights leaders to discuss their priorities as the Judiciary Committe considers judicial nominees in the coming months. For example, they believe that the Committe's current pace for nominations hearings (every two weeks) is too quick; and they need more time to consider the record of Judge Dennis Shedd, a controversial 4th Circuit nominee whom Senator Hollings is backing.

This meeting is intended to follow-up your meetings in Senator Kennedy's office last fall. The guest list will be the same: Kate Milchelman (NARAL), Nan Aron (Alliance for Justice), Wade Henderson (Leadership Conference on Civil Rights), Ralph Neas (People For the American Way), Nancy Zirkin (American Association of University Women), Marcia Greenberger (National Women's Law Center), and Judy Lichtman (National Partnership). The meeting has been tentatively scheduled for late Wednesday morning.

Assuming your schedule permits, do you want to accept Kennedy's invitation and attend the meeting?


32 posted on 11/19/2003 9:02:05 AM PST by William McKinley (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1024758/posts <------- Never forget who castrated our intel)
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BUMP
33 posted on 11/19/2003 9:05:16 AM PST by weegee
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To: MEG33
I hope we can turn this into election gold.

I think it has already happened to a certain degree. The moderate voters are sickened by these (successful) attempts of judicial tampering.

Look for some big dem names to have REAL trouble - and maybe even lose.

34 posted on 11/19/2003 9:15:22 AM PST by Principled
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To: No Blue States
"A November 2001 memo to Durbin also notes that the groups have "identified Miguel Estrada as especially dangerous, because he has a minimal paper trail, he is Latino, and the White House seems to be grooming him for a Supreme Court appointment."

English and Spanish campaign add 2004.

Bump that!

Mensas grandes piensan mismo .... or something like that!

35 posted on 11/19/2003 9:17:31 AM PST by Principled
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To: PISANO; Strider
Where is the outrage? Oh, never mind. It's not a republican memo.

I'd like to see prez use the bully pulpit (that WILL get press) to call down the dems on these subversive memos. Will he? If he won't, who would get adequate press? Cheney? Rice? Who?

36 posted on 11/19/2003 9:20:08 AM PST by Principled
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To: mhking
Thanks my friend for helping to get the work out about the real racists in America, the senators of the Slave/Rat party.
37 posted on 11/19/2003 9:20:36 AM PST by Grampa Dave (George Soros, the Evil Daddy Warbucks, has owned the DemonicRats for decades!)
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To: William McKinley
Text of fourth memo transcribed:
To: SENATOR [Kennedy] September 27, 2002
From: [Blacked out]
Re: Members Meeting on Judges- Monday or Tuesday, Place TBA


There will be a judiciary members' meeting early next week. We are trying to schedule the meeting for Monday, after the 5:30 vote, though Leahy has proposed after the Caucus lunch on Tuesday, which would conflict with your schedule. Sen. Leahy is calling this meeting at the request of several members, and, we recommend that the following items be discussed: (1) Delaying a hearing for Cook; (2) Putting off a vote on McConnell or Estrada until after the recess; and (3) next Thursday's vote on Shedd.

Cook
As you know, Debbie Cook--who currently sits on the Ohio Supreme Court-- is a nominee to the 6th Circuit who is fiercely opposed by labor and civil rights groups in Ohio. Sen. Leahy wants to schedule Cook for a hearing on October 9th or 10th, because he feels he has made a promise to DeWine to do so.

While we haven't finished reviewing Cook's record, Justice Cook-- like Justice Owen-- seems terrible in cases involving workers and consumers. She is the most prolific dissenter on the moderate Ohio Supreme Court. In her judicial campaigns-- Ohio, like Texas, elects its judges-- she has received more money than any other justice from manufacturing and business, and has received no money from labor unions. The Ohio Chanber of Commerce has given her its highest ratings for her decisions in employment law, insurance, and medical malpractice cases. On the other hand, the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers has written the committee that Cook is "willing to disregard precedent, mininterpret legislative intent and ignore constitutional mandates in an effort to achieve a result that favors business over consumers." Ohio NOW and the Ohio Employment Lawyer's Association have written that Cook's "anti-worker record is becoming legendary in Ohio" and that her opinions seek to undermine the enforcement of state and federal civil rights laws. She is known for adopting strained or extreme legal propositions to deny relief for workers, and is seen as "heartless" and indifferent.

Sen. Leahy has asked whether you would be willing to chair a hearing for Cook on October 9th or 10th. We believe that you should agree to chair her hearing, but that you should push back against scheduling this hearing before the elections. The Committee has held hearings on too many controversial nominees in a row. Not only would preparing for Cook's hearing be a challenge, but it would demoralize Democrats' key constituents--in particular, labor-- to have a hearing for her before the election.

AFL-CIO has weighed in with Daschle and Reed (as well as Leahy) about delaying Cook and Reed and Daschle have said they will discuss Cook with Leahy. Sen. Levin, who is opposed to moving any additional 6th Circuit nominees given that the White House is not cooperating with him regarding nominees to that circuit, will likely be approaching Democratic members about delaying Cook.

Recommendation: Agree to chair a hearing for Cook, but after the election in the lame-duck session.

McConnell and Estrada
Sen. Leahy might want to schedule a Committe vote on McConnell and Estrada before the recess. We think this is a terrible idea and that voting on (and for) these nominees would be demoralizing to our base before the election. McConnell likely has sufficient votes to go through the Committee, but members have not yet submitted follow-up questions to him regarding contradictory statements he made at the hearing about his views on abortion, the Bob Jones case, and the constitutionality of the FACT act. As for Estrada, he just had his hearing and we certainly should not move him forward without resolving the matter concerning the SG memos.

Recommendation: Do not schedule a vote on McConnell and Estrada until after the election.

Shedd
Shedd-- the nominee to the Fourth Circuit who has terrible record in cases involving civil rights, women's rights, disability and federalism, and who is fiercely opposed by Southern Civil Rights groups (see attached article)-- is scheduled for next Thursday's Exec. We do not know how other members will vote regarding Shedd. We have heard that Sen. Edwards and Sen. Durbin are leaning against Shedd.

It is likely that Leahy will vote Shedd and we suggest that you record a "no" vote on him. Particularly given the high percentage of African-Americans on the Fourth Circuit and the Republicans' reisstances to placing Clinton nominees on that Court, it seems necessary to resist a judge with such a dismal record on core civil rights and constitutional issues. While Shedd doesn't have the "cross-burning" case of Pickering to disqualify him, he is as bad--perhaps worse-- on the core substantive issues.

CC: [Blacked out]


38 posted on 11/19/2003 9:21:29 AM PST by William McKinley (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1024758/posts <------- Never forget who castrated our intel)
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To: Liz; Mo1; glock rocks; RottiBiz; Jim Robinson
They have been doing this crap for decades. In the past if they got caught, their buddies in bed with them, the mediots would spike the stories. Soon with no media legs, the stories would die.

Now thanks to the internet, they can no longer get by with it.

This is another example of why all us should be monthly donors to Free Republic to ensure that the rats don't get by with what they have been doing for decades.
39 posted on 11/19/2003 9:23:51 AM PST by Grampa Dave (George Soros, the Evil Daddy Warbucks, has owned the DemonicRats for decades!)
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To: Semper Paratus
These leaked memos/reports definitely have rat tracks all over them, don't they!:)
40 posted on 11/19/2003 9:25:10 AM PST by Grampa Dave (George Soros, the Evil Daddy Warbucks, has owned the DemonicRats for decades!)
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