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.
If Harry can talk that ACLU mouthpiece Ginsberg into retiring, Crapo would make a fairly decent replacement.
Reid described them all as bright and able lawyers
Maybe lawyers is the problem. Let's find someone who can read the Constitution, not who can read into it or re-write it.
Yeah, but the really funny part is...remember when Reid and his pals went around saying Graham was a southern right wing hick conspiring to persecute Clinton to satisfy a blood lust. They targeted him for defeat. And now they think he is S.Ct. material. Ha!
All welcome justice Zell Miller.
Send up Miguel Estrada, and tape the dem filibuster for election commercials.
If Jesse Helms was still a senator, he'd be my pick.
Zell's great.
It was nice of Reid to place the tragets on the RINO'S we need to retire. If these clowns are ok with Reid, then off with their head's.
Okay, farther off his rocker. ;^)
"The boob DeWine was just stabbed in the back. As has been noted by scores of FReepers, anyone who has the political tin ear that DeWine has should not be in the Senate. Is Kasich listening?"
I want DeRINO out of the Senate, and I most definitely do NOT want him on the Supreme Court. We don't need another Souter/Kennedy/O'Connor. I agree with you, gaspar, please, please, John Kasich, run against this traitorous piece of excrement!
Reid's been smoking CRACK again I see..................
Yeah, and I bet those Senators really appreciate that, since it pretty much will be the "kiss of death" to the ones he named.....LOL
Does Reid think he is president or something?! Who the hell cares who he would pick? He is in the MINORITY in case he forgot. He really needs to get out of DC for a few days before his head explodes.
I vote for Jeff Sessions, seeing's how everyone but the President has an opinion! LOL
LOL! That would be the day I'd see Lindsey Graham on the Supreme Court.
I think I would put Sessions #1, and Cornyn #2, in the Senate!
No doubt about it. He only wants to have GOP US Senators nominated so that he is one step closer to assumnibg the Senate Majority Leader position.
And... they are all democrats in their hearts to boot.
Re#55 It's posturing. Remember the "consultation" plea that the 'rats tried. Now, they will say "look, we're even suggesting GOP judges, it's W that is being unreasonable." Transparent garbage, the lot of them. Oh, how a once arguably honorable party has fallen...
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