Cracks in the Estrada Filibuster?

The Hill ^ | 2/20/03 | Byron York

[ken5050]

PKM..probably an editorial slip...it's easy to do, and the editor should have caught it..but you're too harsh on York. He's had the best coverage of the Estrada affair, and he's very well connected to the GOP. In fact, one coulsd surmise that this is an open, back channel communication to Daschle that the GOP is close to getting the 9 Dems needed to sustain cloture. It's an attempt to give Daschle a chance to find a graceful exit.

[cksharks]

Screw the moderates!!!!!!!!! I want to see a fight to the death of the demmocommies lying piece of dog s--t.

[ken5050]

Most so called political experts maintainthat it's necessary for the Dems to oppose Estrada - that it makes good political sense for them because of their core constituencies. Don't forget these same "experts" also saw nothing wrong in the Wellstone "memorial" service, and we all know how well thayt turned out..

[TravisBickle]

What was Estrada doing in the Clinton Justice Department?

I believe this is why the DEMS are having such a hard time with this. If Estrada was in the Justice Dept during the impeachment, he could have gotten a reputation as someone who had "differing" opinions than the other political hacks that were there.

The solicitors general would not object perhaps, but a certain Senator who resided in the White House during the impeachment may have some inside knowledge. She is the reason this is being filibustered.

[PhiKapMom]

I know -- I am just really irritated at news reporting in general this week. York always does a good job but both Nelson's are supposedly on board -- one on both and the other one most likely on on cloture. Those are the kind of mistakes that you should doublecheck! It is knitpicking I know but thought you all should have the facts.

We had an editorial in our paper last fall that had daschle on board for the war on Iraq and he wasn't. I complained to our paper and their editorial board thanked me as they said they wanted to get all the facts straight. Maybe next time a writer will check out their facts! As the head of the Oklahoman said -- they pay people good money to get the facts right!

BTW I have two kids in journalism so I probably am more sensitive.

[votelife]

When your core constituency consists of pacifists, socialists, communists on one side and then the remaining honest dems on the other side (freepers can debate what percent is what) who will the former vote for if they please the "moderates?" Republicans? No way! But, they might invigorate the Green party. I love this strategery.

[ken5050]

You're of course correct, but in the error of instant internet journalism, many times the articles are written at the site, as the interview is going on, and e-mailed directly and posted....so errors occasionally happen..like spelling mistakes that I make (g)..York is a good reporter, he probably knew what he wanted to say..it was a small brain lock.....but, you should e-mail him and "gently" chide him..he'll probably send you a coffee mug or a t-shirt.....regards

[Grampa Dave]

What a great ad! It hits right at home at the Rat Racists in Suit Senators scurry around!

[votelife]

I've been sending that ad to some key senators...Simple message. Look at this ad. When Estrada comes up for a vote, when not if, please vote YES.

[votelife]

If you haven't seen this ad, LOOK AT IT NOW!

http://www.thelatinocoalition.org/news/pdf/EstradaRollCallAd.pdf

[Grampa Dave]

It is very straight forward and has incredible impact.

I would to see Hispanics start distributing this to voting Hispanics across America.

[AMNZ]

Nelson's office has indicated he favors taking it to the vote, has not decided on support of Estrada. Graham has been rocovering from operation, answer on taking it to vote not available from staff.

[alnick]

It really ticked me off that Frist and the other Repubs didn't force the Dems to keep talking 24 x 7 right through the break.

There was some specific talk about some senators' being targeted for assasination. That's why Frist let them go. Let's wait to see what happens when they reconvene.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the info! I will do that! REally like his work too!

[AndrewC]

For those who don't have or don't want a pdf reader, this is what the document has without the graphic parts.

The only controversy regarding Miguel Estrada is his race.

Senators have supported other non-Hispanic judicial nominees with less qualifications and experience. So the only difference here is that they can’t support an independent minded and well qualified Hispanic.

Not qualified? ABA disagrees.

The American Bar Association, which Democrat Senators referred to as the “gold standard” for judicial nominees unanimously rated Estrada “well qualified”, their highest possible rating.

Not enough experience? A double standard for Hispanics.

Five of the eight judges currently serving on the D.C. Circuit had no previous judicial experience when appointed. That includes two of President Clinton’s nominees, Merrick Garland, whose Justice Department record was quite similar to that of Miguel Estrada, and David Tatel. In addition, Judge Harry Edwards had no prior judicial experience when he was nominated by President Carter in 1979, and he was younger and had less experience than Estrada.

A conservative ideologue? Tell that to Clinton’s appointees.

Prominent Democrats including Ron Klain, the former Chief of Staff of Vice President Gore; Clinton’s Solicitor Generals Seth Waxman and Drew Days III; Robert Litt, Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Criminal Division; and Randolph Moss, Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel have all praised Miguel Estrada for his brilliance, compassion, fairness and respect for precedent. Would these prominent Democrats support a conservative ideologue? Of course not.

Not Hispanic enough? That’s news to the Hispanic community.

Why then would the overwhelming majority of national Hispanic organizations enthusiastically support his nomination? That’s not only absurd, it’s insulting. It would be an ironic travesty of justice for any member of the US Senate — a body without a single Hispanic member — to vote against Mr. Estrada with the excuse that he is a Hispanic in name only or that he does not understand or represent the values of our community. Not a single membership-based Hispanic organization has opposed Estrada.

(Partial List of Hispanic Organizations Supporting Miguel Estrada) League of United Latin Americans Citizens, Hispanic National Bar Association, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, The Latino Coalition, Mexican American Grocers Association, Hispanic Contractors Association, Interamerican College of Physicians & Surgeons, American G.I. Forum, Federation of Mayors of Puerto Rico, Casa De Sinaloense, Cuban American National Foundation, Hispanic Business Roundtable, Cuban Liberty Council, Congregacion Cristiana y Misionera “Fe y Alabanza”, MANA - a National Latina Organization, Nueva Esperanza, Cuban American Voters National Community, Puerto Rican American Foundations…
Paid for by The Latino Coalition. For more information please visit www.TheLatinoCoalition.com.

[votelife]

Thank you AndrewC, this Computer won't let me do that.

[mwl1]

I have called my senators and encourage others to do the same. Make em feel the heat.

Capitol Hill switchboard is 202-224-3121.

[cricket]

"It only takes 51 votes.... We have 51 Pubbies and if a vote is taken, several RATS will also jump back on the ship...."

. . .we must match the Dems determination and more. Estrada must be confirmed and the Repubs must preservere.

[cricket]

"After this much effort, if they get less than 40 votes, they might not have as much energy for the next big fight!"

We can hope that is the case. . .

[Iconoclast2]

IMHO, there is no class of folks who have done as much damage to the constitution as the government lawyers who have become judges. They seem, as a group, to lack any appreciation of any value to legal limits to government power.

It was Reagan and Nixon "conservative" appointees who, along with the liberals, created judicial rules of judicial review of agency action that have placed federal agencies essentially beyond the rule of law, particularly in "scientific" (environmental) matters. Thus here in the Northwest, we live under bogus Endangered Species Act listings that, for all practical purposes, are immune from judicial review.