(Black Mo. S.Ct. Justice) White backs Stephen Limbaugh for seat on federal appeals court

St. Louis Post Dispatch ^ | 9/16/03 | Deb Peterson

[mountaineer]

Missouri's chief justice, Ronnie White, is urging President George W. Bush to appoint Supreme Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

White also got the state's Black Caucus - mostly Democrats in the House and Senate - to support Limbaugh.

[mountaineer]

One of those "strange bedfellows" affairs, it seems!

To refresh your memories, John Ashcroft opposed Ronnie White's nomination to the federal bench by Bill Clinton in 1999. Salon Magazine:

The Missouri senator labeled the Democratic judge "pro-criminal," and cautioned colleagues that White would substitute "personal politics" for the law, and "improperly exercise his will" if confirmed. That, despite the fact that White's judicial record was not all that different from judges Ashcroft had appointed to the Missouri Supreme Court when he was governor. link to article

Ashcroft's opponents used the incident against him in the confirmation process for U.S. attorney general.

[mountaineer]

More on Chief Justice White:

He was twice nominated by former President Bill Clinton to serve on the federal bench. But Ashcroft - then a Republican senator from Missouri - led a Senate fight against White that ended in 1999 with the defeat of his nomination.

Ashcroft, a former Missouri governor, contended that White was soft on the death penalty. Two years later, White testified before the Senate as it considered whether to confirm Ashcroft as attorney general, saying Ashcroft "seriously distorted my record" and adding: "The question for the Senate is whether these misrepresentations are consistent with the fair play and justice you all would require of the U.S. attorney general."

"I don't dwell on the past," White said recently when asked about that conflict with Ashcroft. "If you hold in that frustration and hostility, you can't be productive." full story

[Theodore R.]

I think Stephen Limbaugh is a cousin of Rush and David Limbaugh.

[mountaineer]

I believe you're correct.

[ambrose]

doesn't the Rat governor get to appoint Limbaugh's replacement should Bush appoint Limbaugh?

[mountaineer]

Yes, I think so. How big a RAT is the current governor? I haven't kept up on Mo. politics since I moved away 12 years ago.

[Uncle Miltie]

White is black.

Democrats support Limbaugh.

William is "Lacy."

The Cave lawyer is a Hunter.

WTF???

[Keith]

he's a BIG time Rat. We just had the first vetoes overriden in the state in decades, mainly over a CCW bill he vetoed. He squeaked by in his election over now-Senator Jim Talent based on tens of thousand of illegal votes gained through a fraudulent scheme to "prevent" inner-city voters from being able to vote. If we can put up a decent Pubbie in 04, he's toast.

[steve8714]

Ashcroft was of course right.