Free Republic

The seemingly successful Iraqi election of December 15 came under critical scrutiny from several quarters. Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev.), minority leader, pointed out that persons of differing political vision were elected. “There is no consensus on policy in Iraq,” Reid said. “Iraq is headed for contentious disagreements between political parties over legislation, taxes and foreign affairs. I see no harmony of viewpoints.” Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) speculated that factions within the Iraqi Parliament might attempt to impeach leaders of opposing parties. “There could be disagreements over policy, accusations of scandals or corruption, that, you know, might cause one party to...

It's too bad there's now a firewall in place on the computer system used by the Senate Judiciary Committee's Democratic staff. We'd love to take a peek at the internal memos reacting to Tuesday's Washington Post story headlined "Roberts Unlikely to Face Big Fight; Many Democrats See Battle as Futile." If the staff memos that were leaked on President Bush's appeals-court nominees in 2003 are any guide, Democrats once again are taking dictation from liberal interest groups-- this time on how to oppose Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. We expect Tuesday's e-chatter went along the lines of: "Ralph Neas called..."...

...If the ABA rates Mr. Roberts fairly, he will receive a unanimous "well qualified" rating. There is simply no question that he satisfies the ABA's criteria, which boil down to integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament. Before becoming a judge, he was one of the most accomplished and respected appellate lawyers in America... [of} "unquestioned integrity."... If history is any indication, however, the ABA will struggle with the Roberts rating for a simple reason: He is conservative. For that sin, the nominee may earn a split vote or worse. That disservice was infamously done to Robert Bork in 1987, when...

In a surprise move... a closely divided House approved a floor amendment offered by Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho that would split the Ninth Circuit into three smaller circuits. The new Ninth would consist of California and Hawaii, plus Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. A new Twelfth Circuit would comprise Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and Montana, and a new Thirteenth Circuit would consist of Washington, Oregon and Alaska. All these states and territories make up the current Ninth Circuit.... Dividing the Ninth and setting up administrative structures for the two new circuits would be enormously disruptive and expensive -- initial...

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) --  Some members of the nation's largest lawyer group plan to use this week's annual meeting to criticize the Bush administration's handling of the terrorism investigation and business scandals.</p> <p>They will not see President Bush, who skipped a chance to speak to the American Bar Association and is taking a vacation at his Texas ranch, or hear from Vice President Dick Cheney or any Cabinet member.</p>