The President has a mandate to nominate any one he damn well pleases.
His mandate does not extend to the constitutional authority of the United States Senate to advise and consent upon those nominations.
This is true whether the President is a Republican or Democrat, and whether the Senate is Republican or Democrat. There are constitutional prerogatives and protections in play here.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
But Bush only needs the consent of a majority of the Senate.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
I would suggest you do a little more research on Mr. Specter. He is all for maintaining the current 'balance' on the courts. Specter is a very vocal opponent of anyone trying to transform the courts. If you think he does support such a transformation, then Specter has been a lying about his true beliefs for 30 years.
Agree.
His mandate does not extend to the constitutional authority of the United States Senate to advise and consent upon those nominations.
Not sure what you mean. He wasn't elected to change the role of the Senate. However, his election, and the wishes of who elected, indicate that the majority want the Senate to nominate conservative judges who will reverse some of the activism, and to do otherwise would be to thwart the will of the people.
This is true whether the President is a Republican or Democrat, and whether the Senate is Republican or Democrat. There are constitutional prerogatives and protections in play here.
This is a truism.
Happily for us, this President, this majority leader and the Republican Senate caucus --- including Senator Specter -- shares the goal of transforming the federal judiciary.
Agree with respect to the President. I don't think Specter has the goal of transforming the federal judiciary in the same way that the President and his supporters do.