Free Republic

Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Delaware) March 19, 1997: “But I also respectfully suggest that everyone who is nominated is entitled to have a shot, to have a hearing and to have a shot to be heard on the floor and have a vote on the floor.” Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Illinois)September 28, 1998: “We should meet our responsibility. I think that responsibility requires us to act in a timely fashion on nominees sent before us. ... Vote the person up or down.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) September 11, 1997: “Let’s bring their nominations up, debate them if necessary, and vote them up...

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee has dug in his heels on winning confirmation of President Bush's most controversial judicial nominees. But beyond his grasp, a group of Democrats and Republicans has been working on a compromise that would allow votes on some nominees and avert a debilitating confrontation. Such a bipartisan deal could undercut Frist's political standing in his remaining months as Senate leader. He's indicated he won't seek another term next year. Vanderbilt University professor Bruce Oppenheimer sees Frist's stance as unusual. Oppenheimer says majority leaders tend to leave themselves room to maneuver, but says Frist has...