GOP Judges Write Senators Asking Them To Stop Obstructing President Obama’s Judges

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

GOP Judges Write Senators Asking Them To Stop Obstructing President Obama’s Judges

Earlier this week, seven Republican-appointed federal judges co-signed a letter http://legaltimes.typepad.com/files/111510-letter-from-9th-circuit.pdf warning of the consequences of the GOP’s systematic obstruction of President Obama’s judges. The letter from the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit, which includes Republican appointees Alex Kozinski, Ralph Beistline, Vaughn Walker, Irma Gonzales, Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood, Richard Frank Cebull, Lonny Ray Suko, explains:

*****In order to do our work, and serve the public as Congress expects us to serve it, we need the resources to carry out our mission. While there are many areas of serious need, we write today to emphasize our desperate need for judges. Our need in that regard has been amply documented (See attached March 2009 Judicial Conference Recommendations for Additional Judgeships). Courts cannot do their work if authorized judicial positions remain vacant.

*****While we could certainly use more judges, and hope that Congress will soon approve the additional judgeships requested by the Judicial Conference, we would be greatly assisted if our judicial vacancies–some of which have been open for several years and declared “judicial emergencies”–were to be filled promptly. We respectfully request that the Senate act on judicial nominees without delay.

Although the letter is written in the respectful tone that judges generally adopt when speaking to their colleagues, this kind of advocacy by judges is exceptionally rare. Indeed, judges so rarely speak out about the judicial confirmation process that when conservative Chief Justice William Rehnquist spoke out against GOP obstructionism of President Clinton’s nominees in 1997, the event stunned senators into action. Judicial confirmations increased from only 36 in 1997 to 65 in 1998. GOP obstructionism has become so serious that only 41 judges have been confirmed during Obama’s entire presidency.



Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/20/gop-judges-letter/

[SpiralHawk]

1. Republicons: "No no no no FAIL no no no no FAIL"

Why do Republicons want America to FAIL?

[Drale]

6. Because as America fails

there corporate master profit. Its as simple as that, they are slaves to capitalism.

[trotsky]

2. Up or down vote! Up or down vote!

Ah well, no one ever said Republicans weren't blatant hypocrites.

[zbdent]

4. wasn't there some phrase a few years ago?

Something like "nuclear option" ... you know, to end the existence of the filibuster ... which, according to some people wasn't to "end" all filibusters, it was to end filibusters holding up nominated judges?

You know, like the Repugniconvicts held up when Clinton was President?

[BanTheGOP]

7. Exactly. IN fact, I advocate it in my own analysis.

Please refer to my own analysis which advocates this very need to for putting our judges out. There is now NO EXCUSE to hold back as there is no election to consider.

Read this important message: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/BanTheGOP/84">The Mother of All Lame Duck Sessions

[Solly Mack]

3. k/r

[Demeter]

5. Why Would These Judges Think the GOP Cares About Justice and Rule of Law?

The fewer judges there are, the longer they go free!

I'm sure that in keeping with his previous appointments, Obama has picked great right-wing candidates, besides.

[bc3000]

8. Maybe Obama will go his entire four years without the courage to make them all recess appointments.

[MiniMe]

10. I think, right now it would be pointless

Recess appointments on;y last until the new sessions of Congress starts, which is in January.

[KansDem]

9. "GOP judges?"

I thought judges were supposed to be impartial...