[DRB]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/17/AR2006121701127.html?nav=rss_email/components

A growing list of vacancies on the federal appeals court in Richmond is heightening concern among Republicans that one of the nation's most conservative and influential courts could soon come under moderate or even liberal control, Republicans and legal scholars say.

The 15-member court has three vacancies, and a fourth judgeship will open in July. That would leave the bench with six Republican and five Democratic appointees by summer. In addition, one of those six Republican appointees has announced plans to take senior status as soon as a replacement can be confirmed. Senior judges receive full pay and hear cases but can take a reduced workload and are not considered active-service members of the court.

I wonder if it'll get to the point that no judges are on the court because none can get confirmed.

 

[dante]

wonder if the dems will pull republican tactics and let controversial judicial nominees die in committee. no vote, no filibuster, etc.

 

[stevew]

wonder if the dems will pull republican tactics and let controversial judicial nominees die in committee. no vote, no filibuster, etc.

Uhhhmm, have they not been doing it?

That was the reason John Bolton was a recess appointment, correct?

 

[Silver]

Uhhhmm, have they not been doing it?

That was the reason John Bolton was a recess appointment, correct?

I thought he was a recess appointment because that you didn't have to worry about any Republican senators voting against him?

 

[Reactor]

Uhhhmm, have they not been doing it?

That was the reason John Bolton was a recess appointment, correct?

No. Not even close.

He was a recess appointment because quite a few republicans didn't want him either, and it was apparant that he wouldn't be confirmed. If you checks facts you'll see GW used twice as many recess apointments in his first year term as clinton did in his two terms. Republicans killed about ten times as many judicial nominees during the last two years of clintons term, than the democrats during the first bush administration.