Bush to Appoint Diane Sykes to 7th District Court of Appeals

Talon News ^ | 09/23/03 | Lisa Jacobson

[bedolido]

MILWAUKEE, WI (Talon News) -- According to a number of Republican insiders and a prominent Milwaukee radio talk show host, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Diane Sykes is going to be President Bush's nominee for a vacant seat on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

Mark Belling, Milwaukee's top talk show host and a regular fill-in for Rush Limbaugh's national radio show, revealed on his Monday afternoon talk show that his sources in the Republican Party confirmed the selection of Sykes.

Sykes was one of four finalists recommended by the Federal Nominating Commission of the State Bar of Wisconsin, which is chaired by Marquette Law School Dean Joseph D. Kearney and University of Wisconsin Law School Dean Kenneth B. Davis, following a series of interviews on September 19th. Both Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold have endorsed the recommendations of the bipartisan commission.

The appointment is being watched closely because of the major political implications it could have in Wisconsin if President Bush, a Republican, chooses Sykes. If Sykes is nominated and confirmed for the federal court, it would create a vacancy on Wisconsin Supreme Court. Gov. Jim Doyle -- a Democrat -- would then appoint Sykes' successor on the Supreme Court, a move that could shift the court's 6-3 conservative majority back to a narrower 5-4 split.

While it is unlikely that Sykes will get a favorable vote from either Kohl or Feingold, they both have made it clear to the White House that if Bush did not nominate one of the commission's recommendations, he would have problems getting his nominee through their committee.

Sykes, 45, considered an articulate conservative jurist, was appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1999 by former governor Tommy Thompson, now Bush's U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. Thompson helped Sykes get elected to a full 10-year term the following year and likely had a key role in the appointment. According to Republican sources, Thompson is unhappy with the prospect of letting his longtime rival Doyle pick Sykes' successor.

Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.

[AuH2ORepublican]

It's a shame to allow the RAT Doyle to name a 4th liberal judge to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but Sykes sounds like a great candidate for the 7th Circuit and, in a few years, for the Supreme Court.

[blackdog]

With Wisconsin's absolutely vile senators firmly and boldly in place without any conservative even dreaming of taking them on, you can expect both Kohl and Feingold to blue slip her.

[montag813]

Why bother with regular appointments? All Bush appointments should be of the recess variety. We need those judges NOW to stop the rapidly advancing Marxist agenda.

[blackdog]

Women are only capable and competent if they are liberal and are hostile toward cell division within the womb of white middle class females.

Sens Kohl and Feingold need a visit from Frank Booth and the Candy colored clown.

[steveegg]

It's a shame to allow the RAT Doyle to name a 4th liberal judge to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but Sykes sounds like a great candidate for the 7th Circuit and, in a few years, for the Supreme Court.

We'll correct that Craps Doyle appointment next year.

[cookcounty]

"While it is unlikely that Sykes will get a favorable vote from either Kohl or Feingold, they both have made it clear to the White House that if Bush did not nominate one of the commission's recommendations, he would have problems getting his nominee through their committee."

"Sykes, 45, considered an articulate conservative jurist,...."

There's the reason for their oppostion right there, 'nuff said: "...an articulate conservative jurist"......

[justshutupandtakeit]

There was a long thread here some time ago which pointed out that recess appointments' salaries can be held up. Has someone shown it not to be true? If it is true then it is easy to see why there have been no recess appointments.

[JackTom]

If Sykes doesn't resign before the end of the year, her replacement would only stand for reelection in 2008.

[montag813]

There was a long thread here some time ago which pointed out that recess appointments' salaries can be held up. Has someone shown it not to be true? If it is true then it is easy to see why there have been no recess appointments.

Only by the House of Representatives, whch would not happen.

[steveegg]

We're also planning on correcting that Craps Doyle election by April 2004 (see the tagline).

[justshutupandtakeit]

No funds could be paid without a Senate vote and a filibuster could prevent a Senate from approving a bill. Thus, no payment as things stand.

Where is this invalid logic?

[Kryptonite]

Update: Sykes sails through judiciary hearing

"Democratic Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold, who sit on committee, and Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., the Menomonee Falls Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, all supported the lifetime presidential appointment for Sykes."

[cyncooper]

And another update:

Senate confirms Sykes for appeals court in Chicago