NOMINEE NIGHTMARE - A WAKE UP CALL (by Mrs. Clarence Thomas)

WSJ ^ | 9/5/03 | Virginia Thomas

[Elkiejg]

We failed Miguel Estrada and allowed Senate Democrats to erect a glass ceiling.

Not only is this a sad day for Miguel and Laurie Estrada, but we have all let something unfortunate occur in Washington. We allowed the U.S. Senate to erect a "glass ceiling" in our courts--you can do all the right things in America, but if you do not agree with Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, you need not apply as a federal judge. This is the message that Democrats hope minorities, in particular, get from their victory as they succeeded in repelling a talented man, who happens to be Hispanic, from public service. For the hard left, Miguel Estrada was not qualified to be a federal judge because he would not march to their drumbeat.

[Elkiejg]

Excellent points by Mrs. Thomas --- she's been there, she knows. What the GOP, Administration and American public allowed the few anti-America Democrats and special interest groups do to a more than qualified man is criminal. My disgust with ALL politicians right now is overwhelming. What has happened to our country when someone of the stature of Mr. Estrada is smeared and denied service to his adopted country because it fits into the political agenda of some slimeball not worthy to carry this man's shoes? Wake up America -- we're losing our country to sleezy people like Shummer, Kennedy, Clintons etc., etc. because we're not fighting for qualified people like Estrada -- shame on us.

[alwaysconservative]

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful article! Wow, she really nails the issues, and her first-hand experience is compelling reading. A normal person should feel shame for what they did, but Democrats won't.

[truthkeeper]

Excellent commentary. Thank you for posting this. BTTT

[cricket]

Thanks for posting; excellant analysis by Mrs. Thomas.

Know many Republicans are wondering what happened to the 'voice and will' of our Party. . .and yes, what happened to GW Bush?

I do not understand why we let the Liberal pondscum prevail; their 'litmust test' to stand, when so much is as stake re the future of our Country.

[cricket]

an oops correction on excellant = excellent

[kristinn]

He is at this point because we were too silent. We let others dominate Washington while we were taking our kids to school, going on summer vacations, playing sports or working out. A new barrier has been erected by the Senate Democrats and we let it happen.

Sadly, Mrs. Thomas is correct. Conservatives don't like to get their hands dirty with street activism that puts public pressure on their opponents. They'd rather sign petitions, put out press releases and hold Capitol Hill press conferences.

The D.C. Chapter tried repeatedly to get conservative organizations in town to come out and join us in pro-Estrada actions. They wouldn't do it.

On the other hand, we came to their traditional Capitol Hill events when informed about them.

Look for some action soon that will finally mark a change in tactics from conservatives in D.C.

[evad]

What amazes me is that the pubbies did nothing substantial to help this man. I expect deplorable behavior from RATs and RINOs...but the pubbies are supposed to be better.

I believe Frisk to be a very intelligent and honorable man but he is an enigma to me.

[Steely Glint]

It is a disgrace that the wimps who run the Republican Party allowed this to happen.

A line needed to be drawn in the dirt and a stand made against the darkness. Instead, the Republican senators all ran away from the issue as fast as they could. Cowards! Stand and fight for what you say you believe in.

The gutless Republican Party leadership makes me sick.

[Trueblackman]

Project 21 and the Coalition for a Fair Judiciary will hold a rally in front of the offices for People for the American Way, located at 2000 M Street, NW in Washington DC on Monday, September 8th at 10:00 AM EST to protest the appalling and unfair treatment of Miguel Estrada during his nomination to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Miguel Estrada was the first Hispanic nominated to the DC Circuit Court and was rated unanimously well qualified by the American Bar Association. Members of the coalition will meet at 9:30 am at Longfellow and Witherspoon Parks located at the corners of 18th Conn. Aves and M Street.

At 10:00am we will marry on the headquarters of People for the American Way.

[Piquaboy]

This is what we get for having a bunch of lily livered Republicans in congress who are to afraid to stand up for what it right. All they are worried about is re-election and what the press will say about them.

[Fishrrman]

In the Senate, the Democrats have succeeded in changing the rules of the game. But to make matters worse, they were aided and abetted in doing so by -- hold onto your hats -- the REPUBLICANS.

The rules used to be: a majority vote confirms a judicial appointment. 51 votes out of 100.

The "majority vote" rule is no more. Without appropriate counter-action, it is dead and buried forever.

The _new_ rule is: in the Senate, 67 votes are necessary to confirm a judicial appointment.

Any, and EVERY, nomination perceived as too "ideological" by the Democrats is going to be fillibustered. I would predict that -- for the remainder of the Bush presidency (whether it lasts a single term or two terms, clearly uncertain as of this time) -- 75% of the Bush administrations judicial picks are "rejected by fillibuster". You read this number here first.

This _might have_ been nipped in the bud by the Republican Senate majority, or the White House, but neither were willing to take the necessary steps to counter the outrageous tactics of the Rats. This is serious business, folks, hardball of the hardest nature. The extreme actions of the Democrats - using the concept of a fillibuster to kill judicial nominations, and thus preventing a "floor vote" - amounts to nothing less than an attack on the Constitution (using Senate rules as a weapon). It must be met head-on with appropriately sweeping counter-force.

It has not. At this point, the Rats have won. Can it be stated more plainly?

I predict there can be only two possible ways for the Republicans to successfully re-establish the traditional 51-vote majority rule. One or both of these attempts MUST be used. Failure to do so will concede defeat to the Rat side.

These tactics are:
1. Recess appointment of federal judges (uncharted territory, but we MUST try this and "hang with it" wherever it takes us - NOT to try is to lose)
2. The "nuclear option" to destroy the fillibuster insofar as judicial confirmations are concerned (or, better yet, nuke the "fillibuster" altogether in the Senate - from now on, majority vote or nuthin')
Don't want to try them? Fine. Have it your way.

But better get used to the _end_ of "conservative judges" so long as there are 34 Rats in the Senate!

Cheers!
- John

[AMNZ]

Frist, afraid to get his hair messed up RINO.

[IGOTMINE]

She really dropped the hammer, and she's right. I failed to act...I could have been writing, calling and emailing, but contented myself to do nothing on this issue.

Those days are gone. As of this moment I pledge to contact my senators (Allen and Warner) at least once a day on this ongoing travesty.

[AMNZ]

Excellent analysis and remedies. I think it stems primarily from Pubbie leaderships fear of messing up their hair in a fight for what is right. Rats don't care they want what they want no matter what it costs us.

We FreeRepublicans need to develop strategies and tactics, as you have begun, to 1. replace RINO's with a little guts, 2. get the President's appointments voted on and confirmed, and 3. kill the over taxing and over spending.

There are a lot of great Freepers out there which I believe from their writings can and should be working to make FreeRepublic a powerful influence in reclaiming control of our government.

P.S. I think I heard today that they, the legislative arm, have voted themselves a 5% increase.

[steveegg]

Considering that the requirement to end a filibuster is only 60 votes, where did you come up with the 67 number? Other than that glaring mistake, 'tis a great post.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I still don't understand why Bush did not just "recess appoint" him. Could he still do it? Or is Estrada gone from consideration forever?

[Iowa Granny]

Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

[tdadams]

Spoken as only someone who's been there could tell it.

[1Old Pro]

but if you do not agree with Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton, you need not apply as a federal judge.

Let's not forget SCHUMER. The Rats are disgusting. I would have fought harder and I'm terribly disappointed in the GOP Senate.