McCain Threatens to Block Bush's Judicial Nominees Unless Appointment is Made to FEC

ABC News ^ | 6/24/02

[11th Earl of Mar]

W A S H I N G T O N, June 24 — Sen. John McCain vowed Monday to block confirmation of all Bush administration nominations until a replacement is installed for a lame duck Federal Election Commission member who helped approve controversial campaign fund-raising rules.

In a letter to Senate leaders, the Arizona Republican pledged to object to action on "any nominee" unless Ellen Weintraub is confirmed by early August or President Bush agrees to bypass the Senate and make the appointment on his own.

Weintraub is in line to replace Karl Sandstrom as one of three Democratic members on the six-person FEC. While the administration is expected to nominate her, officials said her appointment is in the early stages of what can be a lengthy FBI background check.

Responding the McCain's letter, White House spokeswoman Anne Womack said, "There are a number of very important nominations that have been waiting a long time for confirmation. We will continue to work with both sides of the aisle to ensure they get a fair up or down vote on the Senate floor as quickly as possible."

Sandstrom sided with three Republicans last week on a series of 4-2 votes on regulations to implement the campaign finance bill that Bush signed earlier this year.

McCain and other supporters of the legislation have sharply criticized the regulations, claiming they open up loopholes in legislation designed to virtually eliminate unlimited donations that unions, corporations and wealthy individuals make to the political parties.

Sandstrom has said his goal was to make sure state and local candidates would not be swept into excessive FEC scrutiny that would curtail their ability to conduct voter registration drives and other party activities.

But in identical letters to Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. and the GOP leader, Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, McCain wrote, "In light of recent actions by the FEC to undermine the bipartisan campaign finance reform act, it is critical that Ellen Weintraub, who has been recommended for a seat on the commission, be appointed as soon as possible."

McCain thus injected himself forcefully not only into the rule-making for the legislation he spearheaded in Congress, but also into Bush's efforts to win approval for judicial appointments long stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Lott and Daschle have negotiated in private over a list of nominees to be approved in the next few days.

In his letter, McCain also suggested that Bush take an action most senators customarily oppose making so-called "recess appointments" that do not require Senate confirmation.

But, McCain noted, "A nominee for a Republican seat on the commission, Michael Toner, was recess-appointed by the president in March. I believe it is only fair that Ms. Weintraub be appointed in the same manner."

Daschle recommended Weintraub for appointment to the FEC in May. She specializes in election law, and is with a Washington law firm where her clients have included the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and its House counterpart.

Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I think John's cancer spread to his brain.

[coloradan]

I wonder just what exactly the Viet Cong did to him while he was in captivity. Considering how much of a traitor he now is, it must have been really bad. Really, really bad.

[linn37]

thanks for your two cents john Mcpain now stick your head back up your rear and leave us alone.

[exnavy]

Mclame really needs to retire.

[johniegrad]

Are these two going to go at it for the next 6 years? This is getting old.

[maica]

How many thousands of hits would a lexis-nexis search of 'McCain' and 'threatens' find?! This man is seriously past his prime!

[11th Earl of Mar]

thanks for your two cents john Mcpain now stick your head back up your rear and leave us alone

One problem... McCain's head is too big.

[Japedo]

This is the exact reason it's not a good idea to vote for RINOS EVER!

He got his Anti-First Amendment CFR Bill passed and is now mucking the waters again. McCain needs to go, as do all other RINOS!

Live Free or Die Trying

[Bogie]

This is why the Democrats wanted him s00000 bad!

[PhiKapMom]

Then he can go pound salt -- no nominations -- what an arrogant jerk to think he can demand an appointee or hold up judicial nominations that already being held up.

We need to Take Back the Senate with two extra seats to spare when Chaffee and McCain walk across the aisle or they get booted there!

[Howlin]

I guess John's still made he didn't get his photo op for signing the CFR, huh?

Gee, Bush sent him a pen. :-)

[dts32041]

Fed hill well gave him medical treatmen, not called prince john without a reason.

[dts32041]

hill=him

[mombonn]

It hasn't spread to his brain - it devoured what was left of it.

[SunStar]

Sen. John McCain vowed Monday to block confirmation of all Bush administration nominations until a replacement is installed for a lame duck Federal Election Commission member who helped approve controversial campaign fund-raising rules.

Who cares? Daschle won't let a vote happen anyway! These people won't be confirmed until the GOP regains the Senate, at which time McCain will continue to be IRRELEVANT.

[PhiKapMom]

McCain Alert!

[jeremiah]

The Bush administration is expected to nominate the DEMOCRAT anyway. Why does he have to nominate a D? Is it tradition? Why not nominate someone he knows will judge by the laws? Oh yeah, he has a hollow spine.

[PhiKapMom]

McCain is at it again! Guess that means daschle's attempted negotiation over Senate nominees with Lott is over.

Just like with terrorists -- I say no negotiation!

[gaspar]

When he appeared before the press in Arizona the day before yesterday he stood so that he could only be photographed from his right. From what one can see, the left side of his face appears to have assumed a grotesque quality.

[concerned about politics]

He's going through "meet the press" withdrawls. Just like his friend Bill, he lusts for the camera time.
They've been ignoring him since his anti-Constitutional CFR bill.
"Quick! An issue! I need an issue! I can't stand being away from the cameras. Oh God, please give me my fix!!!"