Obama Drops Judicial Nominee Who Touted ‘Conservative Christian Values’

[n2doc]

Source: ThinkProgress

In a victory for civil rights, abortion rights, and LGBT equality groups, President Obama will not re-nominate former Georgia legislator Michael Boggs to a lifetime position on the federal bench. Boggs, who was nominated last December as part of a deal with Georgia’s two Republican senators, did not receive a confirmation vote in the Senate before it adjourned.

During his time in Georgia’s House of Representatives, Boggs compiled a rather conservative voting record. Though nominally a Democrat, he campaigned on his “quality conservative Christian values,” including opposing marriage equality, opposing “homosexual Boy Scout leaders,” and supporting school prayer.

Boggs drew the opposition of civil rights legend and Georgia Rep. John Lewis (D) — as well as Rep. David Scott (D-GA), another member of the Congressional Black Caucus — for his record, including a vote to keep the Confederate battle emblem as part of the Georgia state flag.

Abortion rights advocates opposed his confirmation based on his support for granting “personhood” to fetuses, his backing of an expanded parental notification law, and his co-sponsorship of a “Choose Life” license plate that helped fund anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. In his May confirmation hearing, Boggs said he regretted a vote to post personal information about abortion providers online, despite the history of clinic violence against doctors.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/31/3607345/obama-drops-conservative-michael-boggs/

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[dembotoz]

1. lets fu*king hope so

[MADem]

2. Who knew lame ducks had such sharp--never mind any--teeth?

[Atman]

3. Damn that Obama! He's just like the Republicans.

I would this isn't needed, but DU is a strange place these days...

[Bluenorthwest]

6. It should not have been on the table. But you know who IS just like the Reupblicans? The folks who

defended the choice who are now cheering for his not being chosen. That's very Republican. Many of those same posters were very opposed to marriage equality and saying so the very morning of the day Obama 'evolved' on the issue, that afternoon they were sporting rainbow flags and claiming to have gone to Stonewall with Harvey Milk and Carmen Miranda.

[Scuba]

4. Thank you Mr. President!

[rhett o rick]

5. Interesting that those that originally defended this choice are now

giving props for the President changing his mind. I am glad the President changed his mind.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. I doubt that anyone defended it but rather

pointed out to the civics-challenged DUers who had no clue why the man was nominated (i.e., it was due to a traditional state privilege called a "Blue Slip", which allows a state's Senators to recommend their own state judicial nominees as part of the Senate's role to "advise" on matters of appointees, even if the Senators are from the opposing party of the President, and even when there is no guarantee of confirmation by those Senators' peers). And no, there was no "change of mind" because the name was submitted knowing it would die on the vine, and would never make it out if committee.

“It’s important to note that the president didn’t really want to nominate Boggs, so this isn’t exactly an example of Senate Democrats betraying the White House. Boggs was included as part of a compromise reached with Republican senators from Georgia, as part of a deal on “blue slips”.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/senate-dems-derail-boggs-nomination

I.e., rather than nominate one of their own, they (the 2 GOP Senators) chose a RW Democrat out of spite to supposedly force Democrats to chose to vote against a Democrat or accept one palatable to them, which in any case, was a silly strategy for them but the deal opened up having a bunch of others to be considered, who were palatable to Democrats.

But one can't let a good DU poutrage go unused.

[Phlem]

19. Could you explain to us civics challenged folks

Why he wants to fast track the TTP?

[BumRushDaShow]

21. Great diversion!

When the answer to a question is not of the liking, then the subject is summarily dropped and becomes "A noun, a verb, and TPP", or "A noun, a verb, and NSA", or "A noun, a verb, and Keystone XL". Right on queue!

The judicial nominees and the TPP are not related but do wake me when "Chained CPI" is implemented or Larry Summers heads up the Fed or we start bombing Iran.

[Phlem]

34. I know it's it's not related

I just wanted your take but never mind.

Me and my tricky diversions.

[rhett o rick]

20. And of course rationalization is the key to happiness. nm

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Facts are amazing things. nt

[Cha]

40. Exactly, BRDS.. I was hoping this would be explained to the civics' challenged.. to the ones who

want to drop cheap ignorant pot shots and not give a shite about the reality. Nobody wanted Michael Boggs not even President Obama. This was always used as a whining point on DU for those who can't be bothered with the FACTS.

[BumRushDaShow]

44. Hope you and yours have a very happy New Year Cha!

[Cha]

45. Yeah!

Happy New Year, BRDS!

[progressoid]

32. Well it's clear that you don't understand the way chess is played.

Also, here's that pony you wanted

[rhett o rick]

38. Yes that's the argument that authoritarians like to use. "Our leader is smarter than we are,

(knows 11th dimensional chess) so we should never question him/her. Just blindly follow." A typical conservative approach.

[Cha]

41. It's clear you and so many on this thread don't understand what went on.. but, why bother? Who

needs pesky reality?

snip//

It’s important to note that the president didn’t really want to nominate Boggs, so this isn’t exactly an example of Senate Democrats betraying the White House. Boggs was included as part of a compromise reached with Republican senators from Georgia, as part of a deal on “blue slips” (for more on what a blue slip is, see our coverage from March).

But Democrats in the upper chamber weren’t part of that agreement and were under no obligations to honor it.

MOre facts..
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/senate-dems-derail-boggs-nomination

[BrotherIvan]

35. I love the smell of duplicity in the morning

Proving in a clear example that it's not about principles, it's about a person.

[riversedge]

7. what was Obama thinking?__this chap voted for 'personhood' for gripes sake!!

[rpannier]

9. He was thinking about Sen Saxby Chambliss Sen-GA

The guy was on a list of nominees that Sen Chambliss said if he was on, he'd give the green light to all the nominees for the bench from Georgia.
Chambliss didn't require that they be confirmed, only that they be nominated and get a shot at a seat on the bench.
He needed Chambliss' approval to get all his nominees up for a vote from Georgia.

[George II]

17. Read post #14 above

[riversedge]

49. Thanks so much. Very informative post about the 'selection' process...

Actually now that you mentioned this process I do recall it--but had forgotten it. Happy new year

[Cha]

42. I'll tell you what he was "thinking".. he didn't want Boggs.. he was slipped in as part of a gop

deal on "blue slips"

snip//

It’s important to note that the president didn’t really want to nominate Boggs, so this isn’t exactly an example of Senate Democrats betraying the White House. Boggs was included as part of a compromise reached with Republican senators from Georgia, as part of a deal on “blue slips” (for more on what a blue slip is, see our coverage from March).

But Democrats in the upper chamber weren’t part of that agreement and were under no obligations to honor it.

MOre facts..
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/senate-dems-derail-boggs-nomination

[riversedge]

50. yes, I was directed to # 14 which also tells of this process. ...

Happy new year to you and yours...

[cosmicone]

8. Good job President Obama.

[dbackjon]

10. Great News!!

[bigdarryl]

11. As the saying goes you got to MAKE Presidents do things you want

[ChosenUnWisely]

48. or hand them, a President, a sack of cash and they will do what you pay them to do!

[niyad]

12. did he get re-elected? is he still going to be a problem for us in congress?

[George II]

15. Yes, Obama was re-elected in 2012. Oh Boggs? No, he was a STATE representative, now a George judge

[niyad]

18. so the man is still a problem.

[Jackpine Radical]

23. Yes, but just as one more timber rattler

in the snakepit that is the GA legislature.

[niyad]

26. unfortunately, even at the state level, these cretins are a problem.

[Jackpine Radical]

29. Indeed. We have an infestation of them

in the Wisconsin legislature & we have not only been unable to de-louse the place, but the problem is only getting worse.

[niyad]

31. and I keep thinking this state is bad!

[George II]

25. In Georgia, yes, but not on a federal level.

[niyad]

27. so his sphere of influence is somewhat limited. still does not make me feel good that he has

any sphere at all.

[Hawaii Hiker]

13. This is good news

Especially since the GOPshit takes over the senate now, Boggs would get confirmed easily if re-nominated..

The 113th Congress was excellent for judicial confirmations, well over 100 confirmed incl some good Circuit nominees like Nina Pillard (DC Circuit) Michelle Friedland (9th Circuit), David Barron (1st Circuit), & Pamela Harris (4th Circuit)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama

[StevePaulson]

16. "Christisn" "Conservative"

Doesn't exist.

Christians want to do what Christ taught. Take care of the poor.
Feed them, clothe them, and heal them.

Conservatives want the poor to be road kill.

Nothing "Christian" about trying to repeal Obamacare and take
away health insurance, or the chance to afford it from
millions.

Conservatives serve Satan, no matter how much
they babble about prayer, and how often they go
to church. It is all a sham. They urinate on Jesus every
time they vote for Wall Street, and the oligarchs.

It's just that todays "Christians" are so stupid, they
buy it every time. Just babble Jesus, and say bad
things about people who were born gay, and try to
make all abortions done with a coat hanger and
you get their vote every time.

Most/many of today's christians vote Republican and
serve Satan.

[FiveGoodMen]

28. All depends

on whether we define "Christian" as ...

A) What Jesus taught

or

B) What self-identified Christians do

[George II]

30. I've been saying for decades that not many Christians are going to Heaven

[F4lconF16]

39. FSM, I am tired of seeing this.

They ARE Christians. Just because they're not good people does NOT mean they aren't Christians. You do not get to pick and choose what makes someone a Christian.

http://wiki.ironchariots.org/index.php?title=No_true_Scotsman_fallacy

Btw, all the Satanists I've met have embodied the virtues of Christ far more than the vast majority of Christians I've met., and if I had to believe in something, Satan would be a far betfar higher on my list then God.

[WillTwain]

24. E Tu Barack

[BlancheSplanchnik]

33. YAY!!! President Obama!!!!!!

Says "I'm mad as hell, I don't have to pretend they're part of the republic anymore, I care about Women, and unlike most leaders in the nation and world, I understand they're human beings with human rights, and the christofascists can go pack sand."

[bowens43]

36. con Christian values: hatred,ignorance, greed and bigotry

[Cha]

43. "It’s important to note that the president didn’t really want to nominate Boggs.."

snip//

It’s important to note that the president didn’t really want to nominate Boggs, so this isn’t exactly an example of Senate Democrats betraying the White House. Boggs was included as part of a compromise reached with Republican senators from Georgia, as part of a deal on blue slips (for more on what a blue slip is, see our coverage from March).

But Democrats in the upper chamber weren’t part of that agreement and were under no obligations to honor it.

MOre facts..
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/senate-dems-derail-boggs-nomination

But, of course the reality won't stop those who want to continue taking out their ignorant rage on President.

[nakocal]

46. It is impossible to practice conservative values and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ

Fiscal conservatives do not want to spend any money, time, or resources in helping the most vulnerable members of society. Jesus taught us to take care of the most vulnerable members of society.

Social conservative HATE everyone that does not look like them and think like them. Jesus taught us that we should love out neighbor.

The two value systems are mutually exclusive.

[Thespian2]

51. Great!

Clear definition that illustrates the facts which define conservatives.

Jesus was very clear in his teachings. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless. Anyone calling themselves "Christian," must follow these simple tenets. The GREEDY BASTARDS care only for themselves. Thomas Jefferson wrote his version of the bible devoted entirely to the teachings of Jesus, because he recognized the morality inherent in his teachings.

And you can follow Jesus's value system without being "religious."

[blkmusclmachine]

47. Christians tend to be just plain old MEAN, bitter people.

[Teamster Jeff]

52. This will create some good will with Georgia Dem Reps who opposed the appointment in the first place

Window dressing.

President Obama needs some Dem support because he and the Republicans are about to put the pedal to the metal to get TPP passed.