Democrats Ambush Estrada: The president's nominee didn't appear to know what hit him.

National Review Online ^ | September 27, 2002 | Byron York

[The Wizard]

someday hildebeast will stab schumer in the back, repeatedly, and no one wil give a damn

[js1138]

The schmuck should have been prepared for this question. It was from a published story, for cripe's sake. Anyone who wants to be a high powered judge should never, never, never, change testimony in the middle of a question.

I can't say what his answer should have been, but he should have delivered it and stood by it. He should have been prepared.

[joltinjoe]

Wow, In the DemonRat's America you can't even face your accusers. An unnamed person in a magazine article is enough to disqualify you, but having sex with interns is OK.

Nice.

[js1138]

Referring to this exchange:

Then Dianne Feinstein asked a few questions. She began, as always, with Roe v. Wade, but moved on to the Nation article. She read from the magazine and then asked: "Did this happen?"

"Justice Kennedy picks his own clerks," Estrada answered. "As far as I know, unless it was a very bad joke that I have forgotten, the answer is no."

It appeared much worse on TV. He looked like a cornered rat.

[vbmoneyspender]

Have you ever had your deposition taken?

[mike_9958]

I agree that he should have been prepared... that was an easy question. What was he expecting ? And to recant his answer later.... mmmmm I'll be surprised if he makes it.

[thinktwice]

Clarence Thomas successfully used the word "lynching" to describe his treatment before Kennedy et al; and now it's Estrada that's being lynched.

[Wphile]

He looked bad but the sad thing is that was the sole intention of the RATS. They will stop at nothing to ruin a good man.

WE HAVE TO TAKE BACK THE SENATE! Leahy and Chuckie have way to much control over the Judiciary and it is very dangerous.

The article is right...it was an issue about nothing and unfortunately, the Dems won on it. They make me sick.

[dfwgator]

Estrada should have known going in that Demonrats don't play fair.

[UB355]

Re the Nation. "In the past few weeks, though, I have come to realize that the magazine itself takes a side in this argument, and is becoming the voice and the
echo chamber of those who truly believe that John Ashcroft is a greater menace than Osama bin Laden."

Christopher Hitchens on why he is leaving the rag.

[mike_9958]

Yep he should of known, but even worse it looks like he gave it to them. Kinda like throwing the game....

[js1138]

Have you ever had your deposition taken?

Only as a witness to a traffic accident. My point is this was a publiahed article. The folks who prepped him should have anticipated hostile questions based on published critical articles. He should not have answered "no" if he wasn't prepared to claim his accuser was lying. Under the circumstances, the best answer would have been the full truth, followed by a "so, what's your point?" He isn't getting the nomination anyway -- never was -- so why wimp around?

[binger]

[Ben Hecks]

You got it! We are now to the point that an anonymous source quoted in a radical left-wing (Communist?) publication can disqualify an individual from appointment to a position in government. Estrada didn't handle himself well but the Democrats hit a new low with this one. The Democratic party is a criminal conspiracy and anyone who associates themselves with it are either criminals or fools.

[alnick]

"You attempted to block liberal applicants" from becoming clerks," Schumer then said, and began reading a long, carefully worded question: "Have you ever told anyone that you do not believe any person should clerk for Justice Kennedy because that person is too liberal, not conservative enough, or because that person did not have the appropriate ideology, politics, or judicial philosophy, or because you were concerned that person would influence Justice Kennedy to take positions you did not want him taking?"

He should have said, Senator Schumer, have you ever told anyone that you do not believe any person should become a federal judge because that person is too conservative, not liberal enough, or because that person did not have the appropriate ideology, politics, or judicial philosophy, or because you were concerned that person would take positions you did not want him taking?"

[Callahan]

No kidding. I suppose if Estrada had molested the interviewees with a cigar, there would be no problems. Does anyone else see the ridiculous hypocrisy of Schumer railing about Estrada applying an "ideological litmus test" when he is shameless doing the very same thing on a far grander scale (Oops..there I go with that "shameless" word again. I keep forgetting. The Rats have no shame). That said, Estrada, Hatch and Co. should have been well prepared for Schumer's shenanigans. All Miguel had to say was. I'm not sure I recall the exact circumstances. Please tell me who is making this accusation so that I can formulate a complete answer?" To which Schumer would be forced to reply. "I don't know who is making the accusation. This information was pulled from a leftist rag that virulently opposes anyone judicial nominee who hasn't performed six abortions before breakfast."

[vbmoneyspender]

The point is that reasonable people should be able to discount questions that are silly, which this one was?

BTW, when I take depositions of people, it is not expected that they are going to have perfect memories about things, particularly things that come out of left field like this question did. Simply put, when you are questioned under oath it is not supposed to be a memory test and any good judge understands that. But by your standards, I could turn everyone I have ever taken a deposition of into a liar by getting them into a memory test about what happened to them 10 or 15 years ago.

[Iconoclast2]

Yep, he should have been prepared. In part, this is what comes of the RINO refusal to have the courage of conservative convictions. In a better world, he could have said: "Yes, you bet I kept clerks off the Court that I thought were deluded by false liberal doctrines. I think the influence of some ideas on the judiciary is dangerous to the country, just like you think conservative influence on the judiciary is dangerous. The American people have decided that this crop of federal judges is going to be conservative, and they'll get a chance to reassess that decision in the next election."

[Callahan]

Poor Miguel made the mistake of assuming the Democrats have integrity. Bad move.