Posted on 08/02/2007 8:51:11 PM PDT by Felix McFarley
The Senate Judiciary Committee on a 10-9 vote approved former Mississippi State Judge Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
The dramatic cliff-hanger of a vote on Southwick came after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., who had deferred to Mississippi senators on setting a vote on the controversial nomination, suddenly added the Mississippi nominee to today's schedule.
Democrats, under pressure from interest groups, were largely opposed to Southwick because of some controversial opinions had had concurred with involving racial and gay issues. But Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., decided to vote for Southwick, joining the nine Republicans on the committee.
(Excerpt) Read more at sunherald.com ...
I’m wondering if the headline is incorrect. The committee sends his name out for the full Senate to vote on which should happen in September.
Did Feinstein get religion?
One has to wonder what was traded to Feinstein in exchange for her vote.
I think what’s happening here is that Senator Feinstein appreciates the role she (and other Democrats) play in the selection of judges for the District Court and for the Court of Appeals from her state.
There is a tradition by which Senators work pro-actively with the President on such nominations, and, the Senate reinforces this tradition by generally honoring each others’ “blue card” or holds on nominees from their state that they disapprove of.
Were the Democrats to go far enough off the handle on judicial nominations, the President would be reluctant to work with Senators, and might selectively or across the boards by-pass non-cooperative Senators, and simply try to ramrod nominees through the Senate.
With the Democrats in control of the Senate, and feeling pretty confident of winning next year’s Presidential campaign and retaining control of the Senate, it will be difficult for the President to get almost any nominee confirmed.
“Hold on Helen, I’m coming. Here comes the big one!” Redd Foxx when he is surprised.
Let’s see who votes how in the full Senate, but Feinstein might actually be showing some integrity for once. Pray for it!!
Atheists - hope for it!
Vegetarians - Lettuce hope it is true!
Martians - There might actually be some intelligent life on earth.
Somebody twisted Feinstein’s arm up behind her back and threatened to break it off, if she didn’t behave reasonably. In other words, she was persuaded to do the right thing, under threat of dire consequences to her economic well being. Just another day in the worlds most deliberative legislative body.
There are so many different ways the MILCON momma can be persuaded...
Excellent (if obvious) question. Something to do with the Justice Department looking the other way with regards to her and her husband's bajillion dollar business empire, perhaps?
Ya know, Feinstein is just a run of the mill politician. Some moms and dads like to be Girl scout troop leaders, or cub scout den mothers, and those with a few extra bucks like to play in the Senate sand box. As far as I can tell Diane isn’t particularly smart. California is being short changed. With Boxer, they have a double whammy. But heck, that isn’t news.
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