ABA gives Bush nominee ‘unqualified’ rating

MSNBC & AP ^ | May 10, 2006

[divine_moment_of_facts]

The Clinton's throwing around their influence again?

[hsalaw]

Wallace, 54, was ...special counsel to then-Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi during the impeachment trial of President Clinton in 1999.

This is why the libs at the ABA say he's "unqualified." The ABA is going to have a hard time claiming they're nonpartisan.

[colorado tanker]

Appointing lawyers with no judicial experience to appellate courts is fairly common. These courts do not conduct trials, so presiding over a trial court is not a very helpful experience. The perspective of an appellate judge is quite different.

Ivy League education, top law school and a SCOTUS clerkship are common credentials for an appellate nominee. Either this guy has had some problem during his legal career - or he's been found guilty of practicing law while conservative.

[votelife]

he clerked for Rhenquist...that's probably tougher than being a judge. This guy is likely eminently qualified.

[sgtbono2002]

That would be a surprise.

[Clintonfatigued]

Actually, Clarence Thomas was rated "qualified", but not "well qualified."

But the ABA at least owes an explanation to such a rating to this nominee. If they don't offer one or if the explanation is lame, then you're right: TO HELL WITH THE ABA!!!

[Labyrinthos]

He's up to be an appeals court judge and he's never been a judge before. Ever. Anywhere. Not even traffic court, apparently. I'm sure there are plenty of qualified conservative judges who could be promoted to an appeals court slot -- do we really need to put guys who need on-the-job traning on the bench?

I wonder what rating the ABA gave to Judge Guido Calabresi, of the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, when Clintoon nominated him in 1994. Here is a link to his background (click on his name): http://www.ca2.uscourts.gov/

Note that the total lack of any judicial experience did not prevent him from serving on what many think is the most important circuit court in the Federal System, except perhaps for the Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C.

[sinkspur]

OK. I had thought he was rated unqualified.

[dalight]

I thought they already gave that up when they downgraded Brett Kavanaugh's rating just before he faced a confirmation hearing because of the report of a hand picked DemonRAT operative.

[lonedawg]

Ralph Neas is an idiot, Alito had a perfect rating from the ABA and Neas the Moron was A wild maniac in his opposition. What an absolutely liberal POS.

[Altair333]

Whatever the ABA's reason, I expect this kills Wallace's chances. The Dems can fillibuster and the gang of 14 will have an excuse for finding "extraordinary circumstances."

[slapshot]

No balls no brains trent??? This guy will run like a little sissy from any confrontation.

[Bonaparte]

"If the ABA rates him as unqualified, he must be a strict constitutionalist. Hire this guy immediately."

[cincinnati65]

I don't know....if he was Special Counsel to TRENT LOTT during the Clinton Impeachment trial, maybe he is unqualified?

[Brilliant]

The ABA is unqualified.