[InterceptPoint]

It seems to me that it is time to get on with the recess appointment plan. We are clearly heading for a long term stalemate on the appointment of judges to all the high level federal positions including the Supreme Court. The Dems have established the precedent and until either the Dems or the Pubbies get a 60 vote majority in the Senate there is nothing that will change this. The chances that this will happen in 2004 are maybe 1 in 10 for the Republicans and 1 in a 1000 for the Democrats.

Look at what is certain to happen with the next Supreme Court vacancy - nothing. The Dems will not allow it and so a recess appointment of the next Supreme Court Justice is virtually guaranteed. Bush might as well get on with it with the Circuit Court and other nominees. In the years ahead it will just be business as usual so we might as well start now.

It isn't a given, of course, that the current list of nominees will grab the recess appointment ring but you bet they will line up for any version of a Supreme Court nomination. Even if some or most decline, I suspect that there are plenty of good conservative candidates out there that will fill the bill.

[duckln]

I hope you're right, and that's why the appointment are
piling up right before a recess. Why wouldn't they
grab the wing? With a majority in the senate they would
be guaranteed a deferred 'vote' and be reconfirmed.