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Judicial Confirmation Process Has Become A Joke
The National Ledger ^ | 9-14-05 | Christopher G. Adamo

Posted on 09/14/2005 5:41:40 PM PDT by Coastal

Regardless of the outcome of John Roberts’ confirmation hearings, it is plain that liberal Democrats have succeeded in making the entire process a grotesque caricature of what the Founders originally intended.

As stipulated in the Constitution, the Senate has an “advise and consent” role in the appointment of Judges. Thus, the talents and wisdom of that body should properly be a worthy check on the President’s authority to make appointments.

For most of the country’s history, that method worked well. Unfortunately, during the last few decades, Democrats allowed any vestiges of wisdom to be completely supplanted by the rancor of partisan politics.

Increasingly, they seek to warp the process into a means of amassing political power far beyond that which they might have garnered at the ballot box. Unfortunately, rather than holding fast to constitutional principle and calling them to task, Republicans have allowed their underhanded tactics to proliferate.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalledger.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; confirmation; johnroberts; judicial; obstructionistdems; robertshearings; scotus
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To: Coastal
Statement: "Judicial Confirmation Process Has Become A Joke"

Response: No. A joke can be funny.

21 posted on 09/14/2005 7:16:20 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
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To: xcamel

Four excellent reasons for term limits!!!


22 posted on 09/14/2005 7:19:09 PM PDT by eeriegeno
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To: eeriegeno

i have a 60 inch t.v. and still can't get kennedy's head to fit!!! it's enormus!!! to bad there isn't anything in it..


23 posted on 09/14/2005 7:54:11 PM PDT by fatteddy
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To: xcamel

Is it possible to expel Massachusetts, New York and California from the Union. (Kinda like forced seccesion?)


24 posted on 09/14/2005 7:56:03 PM PDT by stboz
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To: Clintonfatigued
I dread what the 'Rats have in store for whoever is nominated to replace Sandra Day O'Conner.

Not me. I want Janice Rogers Brown or somebody comparable. And I want the Republicans to get the job done even if it means diving down, down, way down to the bottom of the sewer to fight the scumbag Democrats where they live. The next nominee better be as conservative or (preferably) more conservative than Roberts. I am itching for a fight.

Regards,
LH

25 posted on 09/14/2005 8:02:13 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

You and me both. I was furious when the illustrious 'gang of 14' got together and (IMHO) delayed the eventual dogfight this is destined to be. I'm temporarily mollified by the few judges that've finally gotten through, but like you I think the next one is going to be a doozie and I hope Dubya socks it to 'em. I'd like someone way more conservative but equally unimpeachable, if such an individual exists. Kennedy would rupture something, which would be ever-so-enjoyable to watch being played out live on CSPAN.


26 posted on 09/14/2005 8:17:28 PM PDT by somesie (Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.)
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To: somesie

The "gang of 14" was one of the most incredible acts of sabotage ever inflicted on the Democrat Party. The ingenuity of it was staggering, and I will forever be grateful to Lindsey Graham and Mike DeWine for taking the heat from "conservatives" who didn't catch on right away to what the game was really all about. Those guys really made it happen.

Regards,
LH


27 posted on 09/14/2005 8:22:54 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Coastal

Its infuriating to me. The Republican leadership shouldnt be putting up with this crap. Stop cowering to a minority - their threats are empty. Put your foot down and bring up the vote.


28 posted on 09/14/2005 8:23:01 PM PDT by rjp2005
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To: Coastal
Will Rogers said "politics is show business for ugly people". Thats what this has become. When a politician of either party takes 1100 words to ask a question that gets a 20 word answer it should be pointed out as absurd both by the committee chairman and every journalist present.
29 posted on 09/14/2005 8:23:29 PM PDT by Natural Law
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To: Coastal

C'mon, folks. Let's enjoy this: seeing Judge Roberts getting confirmed and the Dems on the committee all blowing their chances to run for president at the same time. I'm having a ball watching these guys. (By the way, what is the plural of Doofus? Is it Doofi?)


30 posted on 09/14/2005 8:26:33 PM PDT by righttackle44 (The most dangerous weapon in the world is a Marine with his rifle and the American people behind him)
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To: Lancey Howard
I was one of those 'conservatives' and I'm not sure I appreciate the quotes, but concede that I may have earned them. I laced into Graham like nobody's business and I'm still very unsure that he'll get his intended result. If he does, then God bless and I'll eat my words all day long. But why do you think it was such a good idea? Don't you think we're going to be in for a bloodbath on this next nominee and then be right back where we were prior to the g/o 14??
31 posted on 09/14/2005 8:29:44 PM PDT by somesie (Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.)
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To: somesie

Ha! You should have seen my first posts when this "gang of 14" emerged. I was LIVID. But it all came together like a cartoon lightbulb, and after a Homer Simpson "D'oh!" I realized what the deal was all about.

Regards,
LH


32 posted on 09/14/2005 8:40:22 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard

What are you trying to do to me?! Keep me up all night in suspense??? Enlighten me, don't make me beg!!


33 posted on 09/14/2005 8:42:20 PM PDT by somesie (Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.)
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To: Coastal

It should not be televised-- that would end half, well some of the grandstanding.


34 posted on 09/14/2005 9:06:41 PM PDT by admiralsn (If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.)
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To: somesie

Yup


35 posted on 09/14/2005 9:10:22 PM PDT by Irish Queen
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To: admiralsn

You're right and in spades.


36 posted on 09/14/2005 9:11:34 PM PDT by nopardons
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To: somesie
Here is an edited version from an old thread (March):

Graham and DeWine walked into the scheme to trick the rats knowing full well that they were going to take a hit from conservatives who were slow to figure it all out (including ME, btw). And they did indeed take a beating. (Curiously, there are still some people who apparently don't get it yet, even after Owens, Brown, Pryor and others have been quickly and uneventfully confirmed, and even after it has been explained that Frist ***STILL*** has his finger hovering over "the button" and he can push it any damn time he wants!

But NOW, thanks to "the deal" and its "extraordinary circumstances" language, Frist will DEFINITELY have the votes he needs to "go nuclear" - - and the Democrats have thoroughly boxed themselves in! Most importantly, nervous "blue state" GOP Senators have the COVER they need to vote to "go nuclear" if and when the time comes. PLUS, the rats have essentially promised that they will NOT filibuster Supreme Court nominees!! Win, win!

It still boggles my mind that the Democrats walked right into this trap. I can hardly stop smiling!

Why are Graham and DeWine my new heroes? Well, the Republicans figured they needed a couple of ringers in the "gang of seven" in order for their scheme to work. The scheme was needed in the first place either, 1) because Frist was not certain that he had the fifty votes needed to "go nuclear" or, 2) because he figured that doing the "deal" was simply a superior strategy, especially from a public relations point of view. Agreeing to "the deal" would stymie the liberal "mainstream" press from accusing the Republicans of "running roughshod" over the Constitution, being "bullies", "destroying Senate tradition", etc. This was the kind of press that the "blue state" Republican Senators were nervous about.

But not anymore - - because NOW they got some COVER! See, NOW if the rats filibuster any credible nominee, the Republicans can throw up their hands and proclaim that the Democrats have gone back on their word. "We are left no choice in the face of this broken promise by the Democrats but to change the filibuster rules at this time," they will say.

I happen to believe that "the deal" was a masterpiece of political ingenuity that could only have been dreamed up by the ghost of Lee Atwater over breakfast with Karl Rove. And it could not have happened without the willing participation of Graham and DeWine.

The Republicans gave up NOTHING and in return got everybody confirmed.

Un-frigging-believable! (Smile!)

37 posted on 09/14/2005 9:17:41 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Lancey Howard
Why are Graham and DeWine my new heroes? Well, the Republicans figured they needed a couple of ringers in the "gang of seven" in order for their scheme to work. The scheme was needed in the first place either, 1) because Frist was not certain that he had the fifty votes needed to "go nuclear" or, 2) because he figured that doing the "deal" was simply a superior strategy, especially from a public relations point of view. Agreeing to "the deal" would stymie the liberal "mainstream" press from accusing the Republicans of "running roughshod" over the Constitution, being "bullies", "destroying Senate tradition", etc. This was the kind of press that the "blue state" Republican Senators were nervous about.
This makes good sense. I will consider myself 'enlightened' (not to mention sleepy) but still a bit cautious in optimism. The final test will be W's next nominee and if that goes our way, then I'll go back on Rush and Hannity (yeah, that was me shreiking...got through to both on the same day!) and eat crow. And retract my letters in the Chas and Columbia papers, too, I suppose. G'night, and thanks!
38 posted on 09/14/2005 9:25:07 PM PDT by somesie (Life is a tragedy for those who feel, and a comedy for those who think.)
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To: Lancey Howard

"The "gang of 14" was one of the most incredible acts of sabotage ever inflicted on the Democrat Party. The ingenuity of it was staggering, and I will forever be grateful to Lindsey Graham and Mike DeWine for taking the heat from "conservatives" who didn't catch on right away to what the game was really all about. Those guys really made it happen."

Based on results to date, it has worked to Republican advantage. And I see NO downside looking to the future.

(I also believe Graham and McCain want conservatives to be confirmed for the judgeships.)

With Roberts confirmed, I truly hope Bush has another just as smooth, calm, and smart.

For a grand finale, I expect Boxer or Kennedy to attempt filibuster, but to fail.

On lesson the left is failing to learn from: "...insanity is doing the same thing, over and over, expecting different results."


39 posted on 09/15/2005 12:06:32 AM PDT by truth_seeker
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To: truth_seeker
For a grand finale, I expect Boxer or Kennedy to attempt filibuster, but to fail.

They may not wish to be humiliated.
Their problem is that those 7 Democrats in the "gang of 14" have promised not to support a filibuster except under "extraordinary circumstances". Being conservative does not qualify as an "extraordinary circumstance" under any definition. However IF those 7 Democrats were pressured into supporting a filibuster, THEN they will have broken their promise and the 7 Republican members of the "gang of 14" would have to agree that since those Democrats broke their promise the deal is off.

Since the deal would be off, those seven Republicans who were betrayed would be free to support Frist when he pushes the button and exercises the "nuclear option". And they would, especially since they now have the "cover" they needed, ie., "the deal". It's a beautiful thing.

40 posted on 09/15/2005 12:20:15 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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