Judiciary panel clears way for two nominees

Washington Times ^ | 11/15/02 | Amy Fagan

[kattracks]

The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday approved two Democrat-opposed judicial nominees, including one whose delay the nation's oldest senator, Republican Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, had called a personal affront.

"It was the right thing to do and I want to compliment my colleagues on the other side for as much cooperation as they gave," Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, Utah Republican, said after the panel approved by voice vote the nomination of District Judge Dennis Shedd to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which included Mr. Thurmond's home state of South Carolina.

[Howlin]

if they had the votes to get him out, we'd allow it,"

Gee, why do you DAMN JOB and debate the candidates. Just vote the second Bush sends the names up!

[MeekOneGOP]

Judiciary committee OKs Bush nominees

In deference to leadership change, Democrats forgo fight

11/15/2002

Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Democrats closed their contentious year-and-a-half reign over the Senate Judiciary Committee by offering an olive branch to the Republicans on Thursday, sending two of President Bush's judicial nominations on for Senate votes despite strong opposition from liberal groups.

The committee, on voice votes, sent the U.S. Appeals Court nominations of District Court Judge Dennis Shedd and University of Utah professor Michael McConnell to the full Senate after having delayed the two men before the midterm elections.

Judge Shedd has been nominated for a seat on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., and Mr. McConnell is up for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. Both probably will be approved soon by the full Senate.

In a nod to the Republicans, outgoing Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., did not ask for a roll call vote on either of the nominations in the committee, which has 10 Democrats and nine Republicans. It was the first time he had not called for a roll call vote on an appeals court nominee since Democrats took over the Senate in June 2001.

The GOP gains power in the Senate when the 108th Congress begins in January and plans to bring back appeals court nominees that the committee voted down this year.

Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., the incoming Senate majority leader, has said U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pickering, would be renominated next year, and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas said Thursday that Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen would be renominated as well.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/nation/stories/111502dnnatjudges.a62d3.html

[Elkiejg]

Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way, said that while the vote was "not unexpected," it was "deeply disappointing."

When the GOP takes over the Judiciary Comm., this disgusting person - Neas - should be BANNED from any procedings. He's been running this committee since the RATS held the majority and I don't recall him being "elected".

[Howlin]

In a nod to the Republicans, outgoing Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., did not ask for a roll call vote on either of the nominations in the committee,

Is it just me, or do YOU, too, believe the reason he didn't ask for a roll call vote was so the Dems on this committee wouldn't have to "go on the record?"

[MeekOneGOP]

I guess, but what's two more on top this mountain of obstruction they've already created? Or maybe I don't understand?.....

[Darlin']

No, it isn't you, that is exactly why. The dems can say they cooperated with the Republicans on two nominess but individual dems can't be held to account for their specific vote. I despise that.