[syriacus]

Schumer: I do not know whether that is actually the case, but I believe when such red flags are raised, the Senate has the duty to ask appropriate questions and the nominee has the obligation to answer

• Interesting that you chose the descriptive phrase "red flag," when the phrases "straw man" or "red herring" would be more appropriate
• And your particular unanswered questions to Mr. Estrada are which ones, Senator Schumer?

[syriacus]

Have you recently submitted your questions to M. Estrada, Sen. Schumer?

This was the update as of March 4, 2003 9:15 a.m.

Dems: We Don’t Really Want Answers from Estrada.

Given the chance, Democrats ask no questions of Miguel Estrada.

For weeks now, Senate Democrats have complained that appeals-court nominee Miguel Estrada has failed to answer questions about his legal views, leaving senators without enough information to make a decision on whether or not he should be confirmed. In an effort to address those concerns, the White House last week invited any senator who has doubts about Estrada's views to send him written questions. The White House asked that questions be sent by the close of business last Friday, and pledged that Estrada would answer them by today. "He would answer the questions forthrightly, appropriately, and in a manner consistent with the traditional practice and obligations of judicial nominees, as he has before," wrote White House counsel Alberto Gonzales in a letter to all 100 senators.

So far, the administration has not received any questions from any senators, according to administration sources.

The non-response from Democrats casts doubt on the party leadership's repeated contentions that Democrats object to Estrada because he has failed to answer questions about his legal views. [snip]