I think the deal was along the lines of, "Confirm Brooks Smith, and I won't be so blunt about your obstruction."
We've got a Dem memo where they ADMIT they are less than truthful about the Social Security debate, and now this. Looks like a "doom on you" week for the Dems. Which, as readers of Rogue Warrior books know, is a politeway of say that the Dems are... [deleted to avoid trouble with the moderators]...
I tend to agree that they confirmed this judge because they were catching grief for obstructing in general and for crucifying Pickering. They don't want to kill all the conservative nominations (too obvious), just an occasional one.
Marcinko bump...