But the Republican bashing associates that I debate via email about various issues have pounced on me in this case because 2 of the 3 judges here are Republican appointees.
So how can I defend that?
And, 14 of the 9th circuit court's judges were nominated by clinton......
and confirmed by a republican controlled congress.
I will continue to support strict constitutionalist candidates......
(most are not republicans)
You can begin by informing them that the (vehemently) dissenting opinion was written by Judge Fernandez, one of the two Republican (Bush 1)appointees, and that other concurring vote was by Judge Reinhardt, a Carter nominee.
As Freeper deport has pointed out the makeup of the Senate when the other Republican (Goodwin/Nixon) was confirmed was: Democrats --- 54; Republicans -- 44; Independents -- 1; Conservative -- 1 -- obviously making it difficult to get a truly conservative judge appointed, so it would be safe to assume that Goodwin is not conservative.
As others have pointed out, Goodwin was called back from retirement due to the shortage of judges caused by Dashchle's open and avowed refusal to confirm Bush's judicial nominees.
You may also want to read the dissenting opinion by Judge Fernandez, the other Republican nominee posted posted here by Freeper, Constitution Day.