Posted on 09/04/2005 3:04:28 AM PDT by Uncle Joe Cannon
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HIGH COURT SUCCESSOR
Rehnquist's death raised the possibility the hearings on Roberts' nomination could be postponed and gave Bush the opportunity of nominating Roberts as chief justice, a possibility administration officials have talked about in the event Rehnquist died.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said the consideration of successors to Rehnquist and O'Connor should be held off to allow the Bush administration and Congress to focus on the Katrina disaster.
"We should proceed carefully and appropriately in filling these important vacancies. With Justice O'Connor committing to stay until her replacement is named, we can and should remain focused first on protecting our citizens who need help the most," Kennedy said.
Frist said he would discuss with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders whether the Roberts' hearings should be postponed due to the death of Rehnquist.
To fill a second opening on the court, Bush could return to the list of candidates he considered before nominating Roberts to replace O'Connor.
Among the possible candidates are U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and appeals court Judge J. Michael Luttig. Bush could also elevate a current member of the court such as Justice Antonin Scalia or Justice Clarence Thomas.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Well, Mary Matalin, I think, is a "friend" of James Carville, but that doesn't seem to make much of a difference :)
That didn't stop them from demonizing "one of their own," John Ashcroft, when he came up as Atty. Gen.
This is really an interesting scenario. It would be harder for the Dems to demonize two blacks at once (though, of course, they would look for dirt on Jesus, so it won't stop them).
Ha HA Ha. Kennedy is afraid that if they have the hearings now, nobody will watch him pontificate and act like a windbag
Here's what should happen:
1) Roberts should be confirmed SOONER all the more reason to eliminate vacancies.
2) Bush should promote Scalia to the CJ level. The Dems would have a hard time balking at that promotion, since it really doesnt change USSC balance and filibustering that *wont change anything*.
3) Bush will then be able to *WAIT* for the confirmation of Scalia to CJ to have him resign and nominate a successor.
Say in October.
In doing so, Bush manages the calendar so that Roberts is confirmed before Bush nominates anyone else new.
THe Dems want to hold the cards to try to negotiate away a conservative vote.
Screw em. Bush should nominate Luttig, Garza, or Edith Jones to replace Scalia. Luttig is best, he's a Scalia understudy.
Here's my email to the President on how to handle this ...
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Mr President,
The unfortunate death of Chief Justice Rehnquist makes it all the more important
to confirm Judge Roberts as soon as possible and to look at new nominations.
Of course you need to wholly reject the nonsensical notion that the Roberts hearings
need to be delayed. On the contrary, it needs to be accelerated to elimate vacancies.
We need Roberts confirmed as soon as possible.
Here's what I think you should do:
1) Roberts should be confirmed SOONER all the more reason to eliminate vacancies.
2) President Bush should promote Scalia to the Chief Justice.
Liberal Democrats would have a hard time balking at that promotion,
since it really doesnt change the court balance and filibustering that wont change anything.
You should ask the Senate to confirm it within 30 days, ie, the beginning of October.
3) Bush should wait for the confirmation of Scalia to Chief Justice to have him resign and
nominate a successor.
In doing so, you manage the calendar so that Roberts is confirmed before there is a new nomination.
Liberal Dems want to hold the cards to try to negotiate away a conservative vote. This is not necessary.
Bush should nominate Judge Luttig, Judge Garza, or Judge Edith Jones to fill the remaining vacancy, which
would be another associate Justice position. Luttig is best in my view.
The 3D Democrats strike again: Delay, Deny, Deceive.
Dan
"... [Democrats] need full access to the Media for their smear campaign against Roberts."
Good point! without MSM as co-conspirators, it just won't work.... anyway, once the media picked up that Roberts was a lock, they toned down their attacks.
For example, what came of New York Times rummaging through the Roberts family adoption records?
I think you are dead wrong. We have lost count of the number of times the Dims have had Bush surrounded and right where they wanted him, only to discover that they circled him when he was on top of a high hill with a lot of big guns.
Why Dishonorable Senator? Did we stop governmental functions when you drowned someone? The business of the country should go on if you kill someone or a natural disaster kills one or more people.
Why would a junior justice ever be made Chief Justice? Only Scalia or Thomas make sense as candidates for the top post.
Who the cheif justice is is of little importance. It's primarily a figurehead position.
I always wondered why the RATs in 1986 threw a fuss at Rehnquists elevation then let scalia slide through.
The Robert hearing needs to be sped up, Ted, not delayed.
Typical dimocrat vermin.
The Roberts hearing needs to be sped up, Ted, not delayed.
Typical dimocrat vermin.
Congress has already done everything they can do for Katrina; they appropriated money.
Now they can get on with daily business, including Roberts' nomination hearing.
the disaster relief is going just fine.
I suppose Kennedy wants to have a senate inquiry into the federal response.
Events are moving so fast that there is no time for the traditional back biting and political mud wrestling that these hacks live for.
Perhaps any mention of people drowning in floods causes Mr. Kennedy some unease.
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