[Timesink]

At the risk of starting another argument on this board.... why in the hell did Bush wait until the day before this hearing to speak out in favor of Pickering? Why?!?!?!?!

I believe the timing, and the unusually high-profile choice of venue to make that announcement, were quite intentional on the White House's part. They don't even care about Pickering all that much; his nomination in the first place was just a sop to Trent Lott. But it does insure that a lot of voters are now aware of just how much partisan hate, and arrogance of power, exists amongst the Democrats in Congress. And if gives Bush the perfect excuse to play total hardball on truly important judicial nominations from here on out. Which he will do.

Once again, "stupid moron" George W. Bush is showing strategic brilliance.

[NormsRevenge]

Yup, Strategerically, he is painting the taliDems in a corner from whence they will have a hard time explaining why they hate justice and that which is good for America.

[oldvike]

They don't even care about Pickering all that much; his nomination in the first place was just a sop to Trent Lott. But it does insure that a lot of voters are now aware of just how much partisan hate, and arrogance of power, exists amongst the Democrats in Congress. And if gives Bush the perfect excuse to play total hardball on truly important judicial nominations from here on out. Which he will do.

Maybe you're right. I just truly hate seeing a good man like Pickering get crapped on for a month and not get defended until the last minute. It bothers me deeply.

[NorCoGOP]

I completely agree....they simply shot down a trial balloon...the next ones will be harder, and fought tooth-and-nail.

Let's just hope that the voters have memories.

[hchutch]

Actually, I think the Dems will lose something a lot more important to them for this dispicable act:

Shays-Meehan will be vetoed as Bush insists that the Senate fill the vacancies it has left open for far too long.

[FreeperinRATcage]

My thoughts exactly. If PRESIDENT Bush had made is "stand" last week or earlier, it would have been forgotten. Pickering's nomination refusal was a forgone conclusion. This way, PRESIDENT Bush stands to make a greater political impact with the apparant obstructionist tactics of the Senate.

Remember, the President has been criticizing Daschle mildly in the past few weeks, perhaps setting up for this event.

[Alissa]

The A$$holes just spent mega-bucks in captital!

[AmishDude]

Right. They don't get too many of these. Plus, they want to stall nominees in committee. These are partisan, safe Democrats -- they can afford to lose a little electoral support -- but they need to make the $$$ donors happy.

Now, as the nominees get more conservative and younger (and have less of a paper trail) the other Democrats will be begging the Judiciary committee ones to pass the nominees so the stink doesn't rub off on them.

[ThinkingMan]

I do believe you are correct. It is a strategic move.