Senate Fails To Confirm Some Of Obama’s Key Progressive Nominations

[G_j]

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/12/25/dawn-johnsen-patricia-smith-nominations/

Senate Fails To Confirm Some Of Obama’s Key Progressive Nominations

Before adjourning for its winter break yesterday, the Senate confirmed 30 of President Obama’s nominees for federal posts, including the head administrators for the U.S. Agency for International Development and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

But the Senate also rebuffed six other nominations, including Office of Legal Counsel nominee Dawn Johnsen and Department of Labor Solicitor Patricia Smith — both of whom tout solid progressive credentials. The Washington Post reports:

The Senate did not take a formal vote Thursday on any of the officials, but Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), said, “They ran into opposition.”

As head of the OLC, Johnsen would lead the same office which, under Jay Bybee’s command in the Bush administration, gave sanction to the use of torture. Johnsen was a fierce outspoken critic of the so-called “torture memos,” writing, “We must regain our ability to feel outrage whenever our government acts lawlessly and devises bogus constitutional arguments for outlandishly expansive presidential power.”

Johnsen was criticized by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) for lacking the “seriousness and necessary resolve to address the national security challenges we face.” Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) expressed concern over her “outspoken pro-choice views.” And Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) registered his opposition to Johnsen without offering an explanation. As the Washington Post wrote in an editorial this week:

Perhaps the greatest nominations travesty, however, is the one involving Dawn E. Johnsen’s selection to head the Justice Department’s influential Office of Legal Counsel. … he president should be given deference in choosing executive-branch officials who share his views. Ms. Johnsen is highly qualified and should be confirmed. At the very least, senators should have the decency to give her an up-or-down vote.
..more..

[babylonsister]

1. 'Senate' or rethugs? nt

[G_j]

2. whatever you want to call them

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) expressed concern over her “outspoken pro-choice views.” And Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) registered his opposition to Johnsen without offering an explanation.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. K & R

A MUST read. And, progressives, could we PLEASE remember this at election time?

[newfie11]

5. you bet!

Nelson has never got my vote. I refused to vote of a repug in demo clothing.
The problem is in this state so many idiots will just vote for him regardless. The demo running against him last time was great but people look for the brand they recognize on the ballot and nelson was it.

[G_j]

10. he's an R alright

no question about it

[DisgustedInMN]

6. Guaranteed...

..that this Progressive will..

... and it won't be just "this" I remember.

[librechik]

14. Agree--the O administration has done NOTHING to fight for Johnsen

the instant they noticed she was unpopular with their boyfriends they dropped her like a hot potato.

[G_j]

15. +1

well said

[Solly Mack]

4. K&R

[eppur_se_muova]

7. And his term's almost 25% done ... nt

[WhiteTara]

8. maybe Obama should use the

recess appointment route. That would be totally bipartisan...* did it ALL the time.

[RainDog]

11. I would LOVE to see that. Republicans exist to obstruct at this time

they have no plans or ideas that are useful at this time. they only serve as the party of no. Obama needs to fight back.

they have shown, over the course of this year, that they have no wish to govern in a bipartisan manner.

so fuck them.

Obama will be doing the nation a great favor if he does something to support the progressive base. surely he can recognize this at this time.

[MadMaddie]

9. This is unforgivable!

These are highly qualified candidates and President Obama should make recess appointments. It's ridiculous to continue playing nice with these guys.

Let's work to defeat these bastards.

[G_j]

16. the few progressive choices get thrown under the.. you know where..

Obama needs to fight for these people.

[goforit]

12. Obama fails again

[blondeatlast]

13. ( ) that was the sound of missing the

point entirely... :eyes:

[FrenchieCat]

18. Yeah....cause nominating progressives is failure as you see it.

Since he should be able to blackmail, scream, stomp his feet,
cajole, buy off or otherwise threaten those who would use their power
to oppose this President's choice.

[Cetacea]

17. K&R

[Cleita]

19. Progressives have no place in a corporate, fascist controlled government.

That's becoming increasingly apparent.

[Echo In Light]

24. Free thinking, moral individuals are dysfunctional to the prevailing systems/institutions

[Karenina]

20. Surprise, surprise!

<insert Gomer Pyle pic here>
Na, Du! Frohes Fest! :loveya:

[donheld]

21. .

:grr:

[chill_wind]

22. What about some of his "good guys" that have quit already?

Greg Craig (OLC), Phil Carter (Gitmo/Detainee Affairs), David Ogden (Deputy AG)- gone.
Whatever their reasons, the Senate can't be blamed for their departures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/03/david-ogden-resigning-dep_n_378480.html

I wonder how supportive and cooperative the present environment would be for for someone like Dawn Johnsen at this stage, even if she could get confirmed? A lot of legal maneuvering and continued Bush DOJ precedent has come and gone in this last year without her.

[Jim Lane]

23. Johnsen, the dangerous left-wing extremist, is a Methodist Sunday-School teacher

She has the support of her home-state Republican Senator, Richard Lugar.

This obstructionism has nothing to do with genuine concern about her qualifications. Republicans are just ticked at her because she called out the perversion of the Office of Legal Counsel under John Yoo.

[Selatius]

25. You should just be fucking happy you have 58 Ds and 2 Indies to hold the majority, people.

You worked fucking hard to put those bastards in there; the least you can do is not question their judgment when denying left leaning or progressive candidates or whenever they strip out leftist provisions from bills and give you corporate stuff instead. :sarcasm: