Georgia Senator Zell Miller warns of possible Pickering Payback

Reuters | March 15 | J.Q. Pulic

[xmarksthespot]

Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi called the committee action "a slap" at his home state. And Miller, who has frequently broken ranks with Democrats on Capitol Hill, suggested on Friday the sting may be felt across the South.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, brushed off Miller's warning, saying, "I don't look at judicial nominations through a political prism."

Leahy said his job is to help determine if nominees are "qualified or not." In opposing Pickering, Leahy said during 12 years on the federal bench, the judge often put his own beliefs above the law.

Miller said he was "very disappointment" by the defeat of Pickering, calling him a "good and brave man," and warned of possible repercussions.

"This action may very well elect a Republican governor in Mississippi and it will certainly make it even more difficult for Democratic candidates to be successful in the South," Miller said in a statement

[mad_as_he$$]

The only reason the lunatic left controls the US Senate is because the traitor from Vermont, Senator Jeffries, changed his party affiliation. If he hadn't, highly-qualified Judge Pickering almost certainly would have been confirmed.

The only reason the left controls the Senate is because the Republicans don't know how to play the game. They come off as a bumbling bunch of fools all of the time. I withdrew my membership from them after 1996 - had and blew - the real "Get Smart" team - "Missed it by that much."

[Wild Irish Rogue]

Zell should fish or cut bait-he's taunting us with his tirades against his party. Leahy seems to have his number-he swats his criticism away. Zell knows he has more influence with the Republicans, as a renegade Democrat,than he would as a Republican. A stronger minority leader would be able to convince Zell to come into the light, as I don't see Trent being able to close the deal.

[LasVegasMac]

The next question is: will he be appointed during the coming recess? I sure hope so.

I wonder what the DemoRAT reaction would be if GWB got as busy with "out of session" appointments as SlickWilly got with pardons in his last several days?

That would be one crap storm worth watching!

LVM

[John R. (Bob) Locke]

That would be nice, but I don't see it happening.

I think that Pickering was probably a little sop to Lott, and that GWB didn't really care one way or the other. He certainly didn't seem to be pushing too hard, at least from where I've been sitting.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I was just making the point that, no matter how cool it would be to have control of the senate again, I would rather not have it occur as the result of a Jeffords-type move... We've been criticizing (and rightly so) Jefford's move, and it would be hypocritical of us to turn around and celebrate if a dem did it to give us control... that's all... :0)

[Savage Beast]

Why can't the Republicans get rid of Hair-do Lott? He's an eight-ball, and they're behind it.

[Madame Dufarge]

The Republicans won't do crap. This will all be forgotten next month.

Bingo!

[section9]

Zell won't become a Republican.

He has much more value as a conservative Democrat. The Rats who control the Party can't touch him, and when the Republicans retake the Senate, he'll be able to tell the DNC that "I toldja so....". And the Pubbies will be ladling his state with pork to keep him voting with the new majority.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[anniegetyourgun]

I thought that was funny too. Perhaps they didn't let him finish his sentence....

"I don't look at judical nominations through a political prism, I look at EVERYTHING through a political prism."

[anniegetyourgun]

And I couldn't care less what he calls himself, as long as he votes right.

[alexdad]

Not only should W recess appoint, he should fill every position available that way. The constitution says "with the advice and consent" of the senate(or until the end of the next session). Then reappoint at the end of the next session if he doesn't get consent unless of course the whole senate turns them down. This would get the whole senate to vote on the confirmations or live with them. I still don't interpret where a committee can turn any one down.

[ambrose]

Can anyone tell me why enormous pressure is not being put on Senator Miller to "come home" to the Republican party and return the Senate to the Republicans and the American people.

I'm sure there's been plenty of "pressure", but Miller just isn't biting. Miller will wait to see how the elections in November play out. Obviously, if the Republicans win a majority, he'll jump. He may also jump if it remains at its present composition...

he isn't going to jump now and risk (1) Republicans losing in November or (2) Strom kicking the bucket...

[ambrose]

The next question is: will he be appointed during the coming recess? I sure hope so.

I doubt that Pickering will give up his lifetime appointment to the district court in exchange for a one year recess appointment to the court of appeal.

[Naspino]

Can anyone tell me why enormous pressure is not being put on Senator Miller to "come home" to the Republican party and return the Senate to the Republicans and the American people.

I sent my e-mail to him -- Republican from GA.

[jackbill]

Does anyone know why Zell Miller is a DemocRAT? Does Zell Miller know why he is a DemocRAT?

Why doesn't he just shut up?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

He looks at judicial nominations through a political PRISON.

[Naspino]

Because the Republicans are honorable and know that Miller ran as a democrat and was elected by democrats on democrat money.

Well lets not forget -- Miller was appointed by the governor of GA for several years after the previous Republican senator died -- and was THEN elected.

[Salvation]

Contact your Senator about this Pickering Bickering mess.

[anniegetyourgun]

And he's the one who should be behind bars!

[Dan Day]

In opposing Pickering, Leahy said during 12 years on the federal bench, the judge often put his own beliefs above the law.

Leahy continued, "...and we all know that's a requirement for liberal judges, but a disqualifier for conservative judges".