Posted on 03/04/2003 6:44:43 AM PST by conservativecorner
Given the chance, Democrats ask no questions of Miguel Estrada.
or weeks now, Senate Democrats have complained that appeals-court nominee Miguel Estrada has failed to answer questions about his legal views, leaving senators without enough information to make a decision on whether or not he should be confirmed. In an effort to address those concerns, the White House last week invited any senator who has doubts about Estrada's views to send him written questions. The White House asked that questions be sent by the close of business last Friday, and pledged that Estrada would answer them by today. "He would answer the questions forthrightly, appropriately, and in a manner consistent with the traditional practice and obligations of judicial nominees, as he has before," wrote White House counsel Alberto Gonzales in a letter to all 100 senators.
So far, the administration has not received any questions from any senators, according to administration sources. The non-response from Democrats casts doubt on the party leadership's repeated contentions that Democrats object to Estrada because he has failed to answer questions about his legal views. Sen. Tom Daschle, the Minority Leader, last month accused Estrada of "stonewalling" and said, "Our issue primarily is ensuring that we have the information upon which to base a decision on Mr. Estrada."
In addition to Daschle's remarks, Republicans have gathered a list of other quotes from Democrats during the recent Estrada debate in which senators demanded that Estrada answer more questions. Among them:
"When a nominee does not answer basic questions, the Senate clearly has a constitutional responsibility to ask for the answers." Sen. Patrick Leahy, February 26, 2003.
"I believe questions ought to be asked and answered and senators have a right to ask questions and senators have a right to have those questions answered. It is pretty simple." Sen. Barbara Boxer, February 26, 2003.
"Is it too much to ask of a person who is being offered a lifetime position to simply answer a few questions?" Sen. Blanche Lincoln, February 13, 2003.
"The Senate has a right to complete and responsive answers to its questions before confirming someone to a life term on such an important court." Sen. Russell Feingold, February 10, 2003.
"We are straining to find some information on which to base a reasoned judgment about his nomination to the second highest court of the land for a lifetime appointment." Sen. Richard Durbin, February 26, 2003.
None of those senators or any other Democrat, for that matter submitted questions to Estrada.
The Democratic failure to question Estrada opens a new course of debate for Republicans. As the filibuster continues, when a Democratic senator complains that Estrada has failed to answer questions, Republicans will ask whether he or she asked Estrada any questions when the White House invited such inquiries. Republicans, of course, already know the answer. Their goal now is to make sure the public knows, too.
Put them on the defensive. Have democrat after democrat get up and say how much he/she supports the pledge of allegiance.
Conflate the issue. The pledge is such a loser issue for them.
Dear Senator Dodd,
I heard you on "Imus in the Morning" this morning (3/6/03) complaining about the nomination of Miguel Estrada.
I am curious. Last week, the White House counsel, Alberto Gonzales sent you and every other Senator an invitation to submit written questions to Estrada, that he pledged to answer as best as possible. The deadline was Friday, 2/28/03.
I would like to have a copy of the questions you submitted and the text of the answers that Mr. Estrada provided, so that I can see for myself what sort of obstructive or non-answers he gave that are causing you to resist his nomination. Feel free to email them to me at the provided email address.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Spinynorman
I wonder if I will get a response?
Left-Wing Democrat U.S. Senators Thwarting The Will Of 'We The People'
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: March 10, 2003; author: Wallace HonleyEstrada and the future of the judiciary
Source: Washington Times; Published: March 110, 2003; Author: Nat HentoffBarbara Stanley: Hillary Barks Her Marching Orders To Democrats: Bork Miguel Estrada!
Source: Toogood Published: March 7, 2003: Author: Barbara StanleyThe Minority Democrats' War In The Senate For Control Of America
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: Febraury 28, 2003; Author: Mary MostertSenate Democrats: Filibusters Are No Longer Just For The Floor
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: February 28, 2003; Author: John NowackiSenator Leahy's Comments on Senate Floor against Estrada (26 Feb 2003) (Revised)
Source: The Congressional Record (New Search required each time); Published: 27 Feb 2003; Author: | Sen Patrick Leahy (D-VT)Ted Kennedy's Grand Design
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: February 27, 2003; Author: Robert D. NovakLinda Chavez: Republicans Need To Call Dems' Bluff On Estrada Nomination
Source: CNSNES.com; Published: February 26, 2003; Author Linda ChavezSenate Democrats Can't Get Their Facts Straight
Source: CNSNews.com ; Published: February 14, 2003; Author: John NowackiLeahys Surprise Attack
Source: National Review Online; Published: October 9, 2002; Author: Byron YorkShedded by Judiciary: Senate Democrats cast off another appointee
Source: Wall St Journal; Published: October 9, 2002Miguel Estrada May be Next Victim Of Judiciary's 'Gang Of Ten'
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: September 09, 2002; Author: Paul M. WeyrichToward Priscilla Owen, Not Even The Pretense Of Fairness
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: August 01, 2002; Author: John NowackiThe Owen Nomination: Liberals Don't Let Truth Stand In Their Way
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: July 18, 2002; Author: John NowackiDemocrats Hold Judicial Nominations for 406 Days and Counting
Source: CNSNEWS.com; Published: June 21, 2002; Author: Christine HallJudge The Senate Judiciary Committee Not By What It Says, But What It Has Done
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: | June 06, 2002; Author: John NowackiThe Left Keeps Trying -- And Failing -- To Smear Brooks Smith
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: May 16, 2002; Author: John NowackiPickering Battle Places Congress on Verge of 'Institutional Crisis'
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: March 07, 2002; Author: Jeff JohnsonMake them pay for 'Borking': David Limbaugh rebukes spineless Republicans to support Pickering
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: March 5, 2002; Author: David LimbaughThe GOP's Post-Pickering Strategy
Source: National Review Online; Published: March 1, 2002; Author: Byron YorkPickering Fight Shows Liberals At Their Worst
Source: Roll Call.com; Publblished: February 21, 2002; Author: Mort KondrackeStill Pestering Pickering
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: February 19, 2002; Author: John NowackiDismantling Democracy through Judicial Activism
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: February 12, 2002; Author:Tom Jipping'A Troubling Pattern': Ideology Over Truth In Judicial Confirmations
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: February 10, 2002; Author: Paul E. ScatesDemocrats Blast Bush Judicial Nominee
Source: CNSNEWS.com; Published: February 08, 2002; Susan JonesThe Next Big Fight: The first major judicial-confirmation battle of the Bush administration.
Source: National Review: Published: Feburary 6, 2002; Author:Byron YorkSYMPOSIUM Q: Should the Senate Take Ideology into Account in Judicial Confirmations
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: February 4, 2002;
Authors:
Ralph G. Neas -- YES: The ideology of nominees for the federal judiciary matters more now than ever
Roger Pilon -- NO: Since judges apply law, not make it, the Senate's concern should be with judicial temperamentWhat is the Judiciary Committee Trying to Hide?
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: January 29, 2002; Author: Thomas L. JippingBlasting Conservative Judges: Liberals Launch Their Campaign
Source: cnsnews.com; Published: January 24 2002; Matt PyeattJudicial Confirmation Lies, Deception and Cover-up
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: December 11, 2001; Author: Thomas L. JippingSenator Leahy Does Not Meet His Own Standards
Source:.cnsnews.com; Published: December 07, 2001; Author: By John NowackiSenator Daschle Must Remove 'Leaky Leahy' From Judiciary Committee
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: December 4, 2001; Author: Rev. Louis P. SheldonA Disgraceful Blocking of Nominees
Source: The Wall Street Journal (ltr to ed) Published December 3, 2001Mr. Leahy's Fuzzy Math
Source: Washington Times;Published: December 3, 2001; Author:EditorialSen. Patrick Leahy; Our Constitutional Conscience?
Source: Too Good Reports; Published: December 2, 2001; Author: Paul E. ScatesJudicial confirmations called significantly low
Source: Washington Times; Published: November 30, 2001; Author: Audrey HudsonPatrick Leahy - Words Do Kill
Source: PipeBombNews.com; Published: November 29, 2001; Author: William A. MayerJudicial Profiling
Source: The Wall Street Journal; Published: November 27, 2001Sen. Leahy's judicial hostages
Source: Washington Times; Published: November 21, 2001Judges Delayed is Justice Denied
Source: CNSNews.com ; Published: November 20, 2001; Author: Thomas L. JippingPartisanship is Prevalent with Leahy's Judicial Confirmations
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: November 15, 2001; Author: John NowackiLeahy And Daschle Are Coming Face To Face With Their Own Words
Obedient Democrats
Source: CNSNEWS.com; Published October 26, 2001; Author: Thomas L. JippingWhy is Daschle Blocking Judges needed to Try Terrorists when we Catch them?
Source: Banner of Liberty; Published: October 26, 2001; Author: Mary MostertPat Leahy's Passive Aggressive Game
Source: CNSNews.com; Published: October 25, 2001; Author: John NowackiOperation Obstruct Justice
Source: Washington Times; Published: October 25, 2001; Author: T.L.JippingDaschle wins struggle over judicial nominations
Source: The Washington Times; Published: Oct 24, 2001; Author: Dave BoyerLeahy doctrine ensures judicial gridlock
Source: Washington Times; Published October 22, 2001Senate's judicial powergrab: Tom Jipping tracks Dems' assault on courts
Source: WorldNetDaily.com; Published: June 28, 2001; Author: Tom JippingDems Will Shut Down Judicial Confirmations
Source: CNSNews.com Commentary from the Free Congress Foundation; Published: June 13, 2001;
Author: Thomas L. Jipping
It's called having a little fun by turning the tables on them. :-)
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