Liberman on Estrada "breakdown in the system"

The Union Leader ^ | March 1, 2003 | JOHN DiSTASO

[11th_VA]

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Brad Wise of Goffstown impressed Lieberman yesterday when he cited the Federalist Papers in questioning him about the U.S. Senate gridlock on Miguel Estrada.

Estrada is Bush’s nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, often referred to as the second-highest court in the land. In a hot political battle, Senate Democrats have blocked a Senate confirmation vote on Estrada.

Wise, 45, was one of about 100 employees of Harvey Industries who met with Lieberman for about 30 minutes at the Huse Road window and door manufacturing plant yesterday. He said the Federalist Papers, a series of essays written in 1787 and 1788 to explain the proposed U.S. Constitution, explains that the role of the U.S. Senate is to vote — “up or down,” according to Wise — on judicial nominations.

Lieberman admitted he had never before had a voter cite the Federalist Papers to him in a question. He said that Bush is partially responsible for the gridlock, “But in fairness, I hold congressional Democrats accountable, too. There is a breakdown in the system, whether you agree with him or not.

“I don’t know what the answer (to the Estrada gridlock) is, exactly,” said Lieberman. “The only way to break through this is by forgetting who is Republican and who is Democrat and moving forward.”

Afterward, Wise, who was wearing a “Bush/Cheney” political button, said Lieberman had not won him over.

[11th_VA]

I'm encouraged he did rant like Schumer - there may be hope here.

[ClancyJ]

Wonder how he thinks Bush is at fault? For sending an extremely highly qualified man who will strictly uphold the constitution?

[bybybill]

They CANNOT defend their position. We have to keep up the heat on both the Rats and the R`s.

[L.N. Smithee]

Wise, 45, was one of about 100 employees of Harvey Industries who met with Lieberman for about 30 minutes at the Huse Road window and door manufacturing plant yesterday. He said the Federalist Papers, a series of essays written in 1787 and 1788 to explain the proposed U.S. Constitution, explains that the role of the U.S. Senate is to vote — “up or down,” according to Wise — on judicial nominations.

Lieberman admitted he had never before had a voter cite the Federalist Papers to him in a question.

In other words, Lieberman didn't have a stock answer for the inquiry.

Wise is well-named, it seems.

[11th_VA]

Yea - I wish he'd given more of an answer

[kitkat]

Lieberman couldn't give more of an answer. Hitlery hasn't given him the latest liberal reply yet.

[Paul_B]

> He said that Bush is partially responsible for the gridlock, “But in fairness, I hold congressional Democrats accountable, too. There is a breakdown in the system, whether you agree with him or not.

It's the Dems who have had back room judicial litmus tests, not the Pubs (witness 1/3 of the Supreme Court). Now they're doing it out in the open. Translation of this episode: LIEberman got nailed, and barely escaped with his poise.

[swheats]

That was Lieberman's wakeup call. A more informed electorate that will demand accountability. The senators need to step back and remember why they were sent to Washington.

[Claire Voyant]

The Democrat Senators think their job is to PICK the judges!!! They are there to vote UP or DOWN......Thank you Mr. WISE!!

[I Am Not A Mod]

Free Republic Highlights, 3/1/03

[laredo44]

He said that Bush is partially responsible for the gridlock

The logic on this escapes me. What specifically is the president doing to prevent the Senate from voting. I'm not aware of anything. Has Bush ripped out all the little voting switches they have or something?

For anyone but the Democrats, this is the easiest thing in the world to resolve.

Frist: Joe, do you vote to comfirm Estrada?

Joe: Bill, I really don't have enough information to confirm him. I'm just not sure whether he'll make a good judge.

Frist: OK, Joe, I'll record that as a "No". Next. Chuckie, do you vote to comfirm Estrada?

[johnny7]

“The only way to break through this is by forgetting who is Republican and who is Democrat and moving forward.”

Translation;

Forget about Estrada fer cris'sake! Bush wasn't the true victor in 2000!

To hell with the Federalist Papers, the Electoral College and the SCOTUS!

[Redleg Duke]

“I don’t know what the answer (to the Estrada gridlock) is, exactly,” said Lieberman.

How about "It's the DemocRATS, Stupid!"

[FreedomPoster]

>>The logic on this escapes me.

May I point out that we are talking about a Democrat here?

Logic and analysis are the mortal enemy of the Left.

[laredo44]

May I point out that we are talking about a Democrat here?

Logic and analysis are the mortal enemy of the Left.

Actually, yes, you may point this out as often as possible.

[Trust but Verify]

Mr Wise obviously is not a product of public schools. They do not teach the Federalist Papers nor the Constitution there anymore.

[RushingWater]

This is great - we all need to meet and greet our Democratic Senators with the truth. Hey Jim Rob, is there a FR link to the Federalist Papers?

[arasina]

“I don’t know what the answer (to the Estrada gridlock) is, exactly,” said Lieberman.

That's funny, he seems to know the answer to everything else...which is supposedly why he's running for President. And he knew the answer to a certain other "gridlock" incident in November 2000.

Lieberman wants to be the first Jewish U.S. president but isn't principled enough to stop the Hillary-Daschle steamrolling of the Constitution and vote for a man who would be the first Hispanic Circuit Court judge.

[ez]

The tide is coming in on the Estrada nomination, I can feel it.

Notice how this paper has to explain what the story is about...IOW its' readers don't know about the Estrada story yet. The more publicity this gets, the better for us, so time is on our side.

[FreedomPoster]

This took me 3-4 clicks from the FR home page.

Constitution=>Unity&Federalism=>Federalist Papers (HTML)

http://www.constitution.org/fed/federa00.htm

I probably really had 3 more clicks from going down one dead end path.