Posted on 06/28/2005 4:05:40 PM PDT by RWR8189
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid suggested on Tuesday that four of his Republican colleagues be considered by President Bush if a vacancy occurs on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Seeking a possible consensus nominee, Reid recommended Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Mel Martinez of Florida, Mike DeWine of Ohio and Mike Crapo of Idaho.
Reid described them all as bright and able lawyers who would be strong additions to the nation's highest court.
"We have had approximately 10 members of the Supreme Court that came from the United States Senate over the years," Reid told reporters.
"There are people who serve in the Senate now who are Republicans who I think would be outstanding Supreme Court members," Reid said.
There had been widespread speculation that a resignation could come soon on the Supreme Court. But uncertainty rose on Monday when the court ended its term for the year without any announced departures.
Still, court observers say there could be a resignation on the aging federal bench in the days, weeks or months ahead.
Reid, who has conferred with Senate Republican leader Bill Frist on the possibility of a Supreme Court opening, said he has made his suggestions to "anyone who will listen."
Reid and fellow Democrats have urged Bush to consult with them before making a nomination, which the Senate would then be asked to confirm.
Earlier on Tuesday, Frist said, "I've made some suggestions" to the White House on potential nominees, but declined to disclose names.
"They are reaching out for suggestions," Frist said after giving a speech at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative group. He added, "I don't have any inside information" about who the nominee could be.
Another senator who has been mentioned as a possible Supreme Court nominee is Republican John Cornyn of Texas, a former member of the Texas Supreme Court and the only senator with appellate court experience.
Asked if Bush should consider Cornyn, Reid shrugged and said, "I've told you (the ones) I think he should consider."
Graham and DeWine were among seven Senate Republicans who joined seven Senate Democrats in reaching a compromise last month on Bush's most contentious appeals court nominees.
The accord cleared the way for the confirmation of a number of Bush's nominees, but preserved the right of Democrats to block others "under extraordinary circumstances."
Cornyn was among those who have criticized the accord, which could face a major test with a Supreme Court nomination.
Not understanding advise and consent, Reid confirms he doesn't understand Presidential appointments either.
This "suggestion" of Reid tells me the dems. are VERY worried about what's coming down the pyke. Very worried.
The rats would truly go ballastic, and maybe a few 911 calls.
LOL
I may be wrong, but I thought Mel joined the Gang of 14---
He also, I think, joined Nelson to get off-shore drilling removed from the Energy Bill...
Please correct me if I am wrong, I just know that I have been highly disappointed, especially since President Bush backed him, and asked (what is her name?) the ex-Sec. in Florida, that was in charge of the Bush 2000 elections---and now she is a Representative...
Hey Dusty Harry, last I looked you are not the President (Thank God!).
"I may be wrong, but I thought Mel joined the Gang of 14--- "
You're wrong. The 7 "Republicans" included Snowe and Collins of Maine, McCain of Arizona, Graham of South Carolina, DeWine of Ohio, Warner of Virginia, and Chafee of Rhode Island.
Mel wasn't one of the fourteen.
He did, however, make recent stupid comments about GITMO that resulted in some backtraking when his constituents let them know what they thought.
I had to check this didn't come from Scrapple. LOL!!
If we're nominating someone from the Congress the only person I'll consider is Sessions.
Katherine Harris.... I think she announced she is running for the Senate in 2006.
And Republican Bob Riley could name Sessions' replacement.
I think he was on the liberal side on the off-shore drilling issue (which is a big thing here in Florida and to which a lot of conservatives are also opposed). I would suspect that he will come around on drilling if there's more pressure. However, I wasn't aware that he was part of the "gang of 14."
Also, in terms of his performance, he was quite conservative in his campaign, but since this is his first year in the Senate, it doesn't surprise me if he's wobbling a bit. There's obviously a lot of pressure in DC to abandon your (conservative) ideals as soon as your little tush hits the bottom of that Senate seat. I write regularly to try to give him some backbone...
Is it not difficult to nominate an incumbent Senator to SCOTUS? At least for the Kennedy seat it was. SCOTUS members were getting automatic pay raises -- it would have required special legislation to reduce the pay for one associate justice.
He'd be great, but he's got health problems and ain't a young man. I'd want a young, healthy Ashcroft clone that would be on the bench for decades.
Good idea, but its already a fact
You have a wonderful way with words!
Ok, Thank You Senator Reid, ...who wants a Dairy Queen?
And .. all the people Reid named were those who support the democrat message.
You're right .. he really does take the repubs for fools.
How about Justice Zell Miller, Mr. Reid?
You don't have to be a lawyer to be a supreme court judge....
My Senator?
No way, he won't even win reelection!
John Coryn is a GREAT suggestion. Hadn't really considered but he understands the SCOTUS problem and he has already searved on a model Supreme Court......in the state of Texas.
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.