Judicial Nominations

I wasn't going to post anything today at lunchtime. Too much to do today, trying to get ready for our department to move locations over the weekend. But Hugh Hewitt made the Senators' email contacts too easy, and I sent a message to both of my Senators (Boxer & Feinstein -- what a losing combination!) and to Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist. Here's what I told them:

Almost identical messages to Boxer & Feinstein:

Sen. Boxer/Feinstein,

I urge you and your colleagues to stop blocking the votes of the President's judicial nominations. When Bill Clinton was president, the Democrats made a big show of demanding that all his nominations get an up or down vote. Well, that demand is still just as valid today as it was under Pres. Clinton.

Let the President's nominations get a vote on the Senate floor. If you reject them, fine. Just vote.

When you and your party derail the workings of the Senate, then there's no point in your being there. Obstruction will result in your replacement.

Will they get the message? Doubtful, especially Boxer, who never ever ever listens to her constituents. Ever. Unless they're way, way, way Hard Left. Feinstein listens on occasion.

Then I wrote to Senator Frist, who isn't obstructing the way the Democrats are, but whose attempts at compromise are amounting to cooperation with obstruction. What's the difference?!?

Sen. Frist,

The leading Democrats have made it clear they WILL obstruct the President's nominations and are even considering filibustering John Bolton and presumably any Supreme Court nominations. The time for seeking a compromise is over, because the Democrats will not compromise.

The Republican leadership, starting with you, must act NOW to change the cloture rule for presidential nominees and get these and future nominees the vote they deserve. If you dither any more than you already have, your support will start hemorraging. For the first time ever, I gave money in 2004 to John Thune's campaign, President Bush, and Bill Jones (vs. Sen Boxer). But if the Republicans don't grow a spine and grow it soon, I will have to consider that money wasted, and you Republicans won't see another dime from me.

We elected you to pursue the programs President Bush campaigned on, especially getting some sound judges on the appellate courts to counteract the lunacy of the left-wing judges. If you can't find the guts to get the job done, then you can kiss a presidential bid goodbye, and we'll find somebody who does have a spine.

Do it now, Sen. Frist. Do it now.

That about sums it up. I'm fed up with the Democrats running the Senate, when we elected Republicans to run the show. The Republicans can either do what we elected them to do, or they can make room for someone who will.

Update:

Here's what I sent to Senator John McCain, who is expected to announce that he will vote against changing the cloture rules. Similar to what I sent to Frist, but with some key differences.

Sen. McCain,

The leading Democrats have made it clear they WILL obstruct the President's nominations and are even considering filibustering John Bolton and presumably any Supreme Court nominations. The time for seeking a compromise is over, because the Democrats will not compromise.

The Republican leadership, including you, must act NOW to change the cloture rule for presidential nominees and get these and future nominees the vote they deserve. Your dithering and leaning toward the postion of the Democrats is counterproductive. For the first time ever, I gave money in 2004 to John Thune's campaign, President Bush, and Bill Jones (vs. Sen Boxer). But if the Republicans don't grow a spine and grow it soon, I will have to consider that money wasted, and you Republicans won't see another dime from me.

We elected Republicans to pursue the programs President Bush campaigned on, especially getting some sound judges on the appellate courts to counteract the lunacy of the left-wing judges. The idea that if you change the cloture rules now, it could hurt you when you're in the minority is ironic. Because, if you DON'T change the rules now, you WILL find yourselves in the minority very soon.

If you can't find the guts to get the job done, then you can kiss a presidential bid goodbye, and we'll find somebody who does have a spine.

Do it now, Sen. McCain. Do it now.