[Reagan Man]

We all know what's happening here. Last year Trent Lott, the Republican Senate leadership and yes, even the Bush administration, allowed Jim Jeffords to get away and now all of the President's judicial nominees will have a very difficult time getting out of committee and onto the full Senate, for a floor vote. IMO, this is the biggest and most serious mistake that Bush has made, so far. I hope theres no repeat like this one in the future. At least for the remainder of 2002, this situation will really hamper efforts by the Bush people in getting more conservative judges into the federal court system. And, if Republican's don't retake the Senate, continued Democrat control will leave Bush in a very weak position. This will have a tremendous long term, negative effect on just who will reach confirmation and eventually hold a seat on the USSC. Believe it!

[mrustow]

I don't think you can blame Bush for Jeffords' defection. Jeefords saw the main chance, and no one was talking him out of it. The most plausible theory I read, was that Jeffords was afraid that Strom Thurmond would die, making Jeffords expendable, and costing him all his bargaining power with the Democrats.

[Theodore R.]

Another irony: If Attorney General Ashcroft had been able to defeat a dead man, we would still have 51-49 nominal Republican control of the Senate and be able to bring the nominees to the floor. Ashcroft is too meek in dealing with liberals. My goodness, even the more liberal Senator "Kit" Bond was willing to speak out on a fraudulent election outcome. Still, Ashcroft's reelection to the Senate would not have guaranteed the selection of conservative judges. Specter, Snowe, Collins, et al might have something different to say. Let's hope this Jim Talent will fight harder against the living Carnahan than Ashcroft did against the dead one!

[lasereye]

And, if Republican's don't retake the Senate, continued Democrat control will leave Bush in a very weak position.

Retaking the Senate and its procedural processes is a must. Otherwise, Bush won't get anything done the rest of the term, including banning partial birth abortion. Daschle just prevents everything from coming to a vote.

Retaking the Senate is far from assured, in large part because lots of Christian conservatives don't vote because they think the Republicans aren't conservative enough. So in essence, Christian conservatives prevent judges like Pickering from being seated.