Bush: Blocking Estrada vote 'a disgrace'

UPI ^ | March 6, 2003 | Kathy A. Gambrell

[Indy Pendance]

WASHINGTON, March 6 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush on Thursday called the decision by Senate Democrats to continue blocking the vote of his federal nominee Miguel Estrada a "disgrace."

"Their tactics are an injustice and unfair to the good man I have nominated, and unfaithful to the Senate's own obligations," Bush said in a released statement.

Bush picked Estrada last year to sit on the nation's second-highest court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but Democrats have complained they want more information about Estrada's legal philosophies. The president said the Senate has a responsibility to exercise its constitutional advice and consent function and hold an up-or-down vote on a judicial nominee within a reasonable time.

"Some senators who once insisted that every appeals court nominee deserves a timely vote have now abandoned that principle for partisan politics," Bush said.

Democrats vowed a filibuster of Estrada's nomination until they received answers to the questions they had about the Washington attorney. They said Estrada refused to answer questions on the death penalty, a woman's right to choose and environmental protection.

Bush said lawmakers were holding Estrada to a double standard and vowed to stand by his nominee's side until he is sworn in as a judge.

"I call on the Senate Democratic leadership to stop playing politics, and permit a vote on Miguel Estrada's nomination," the president said. "Let each senator vote as he or she thinks best, but give the man a vote."

Senate rules dictate a nomination cannot be brought to vote if the Democrats can provide at least 41 votes to sustain their filibuster.

On Capitol Hill, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., told reporters that Democrats want Estrada to provide information regarding his background and positions so they can "make an honest judgment about his qualifications."

"All of us as employers ask the same of every job applicant. Any job applicant who would refuse to fill out the final three pages of a five-page job application would not get a job in my office, and he or she shouldn't get a job in the courts of our land, either. And so that's our position. That will be our position, regardless of whatever number of votes that are cast," Daschle said.

The dispute has worsened an already contentious relationship between the White House and Senate Democrats over judicial nominations. Democrats accused Estrada of having too little experience to serve on the circuit court. Bush called Estrada, a Honduran immigrant and graduate of Harvard Law School, an example of what makes the United States "so profound and so hopeful and so promising."

The White House said regional appeals courts have a 15 percent judicial vacancy rate. Since taking office, Bush said, he has sent 34 "qualified, mainstream" federal courts of appeals nominees to the Senate, but only half of them have received a vote in the Senate and 12 of the 17 remaining nominees have been waiting more than a year for a floor vote.

[votelife]

As another freeper said,

The only problem I see with this is that once the democrats are on record as being for the Fillibuster, it will take a lot more effort to make them change their minds if they are willing to withstand the initial fury. The last democrat that votes for cloture is going to get a whole lot of his base really pissed off at him. But right now we have 10% of the democrats who are already supporting Estrada. Only the most partisan dems are opposing him and this is evident by the editorials the newspapers around the nation have written. 66 editorial boards support cloture and only 8 support the fillibuster. http://rpc.senate.gov/releases/2003/Editorialchart2.htm

Democrats think that they can get away with this because average voters don't pay much attention to stuff like this. Its our job to make them know that lots of people are paying close attention

[MHGinTN]

The President can look for political capital if he so chooses, but he realizes this is not really about Miguel Estrada. It's about democrats obstructing and doing anything they can to prevent this administration from any success domestically or internationally. That's why I've named the democrats the Axis Of Acorns ... the bitter little nuts unfit for aural consumption. Bitterness and deceit drive the democrat party of today.

[NEWwoman]

That's why I've named the democrats the Axis Of Acorns ... the bitter little nuts unfit for aural consumption. Bitterness and deceit drive the democrat party of today.

Clever!

[fieldmarshaldj]

"That's why I've named the democrats the Axis Of Acorns ..."

I kinda prefer Axis of A$$holes, but that's abundently clear, anyhow...

[freepy smurf]

Too bad the democraps feel everything except shame or this would realy hurt.

[Republic]

Tomorrow I am standing in front of Bayh's Indianapolis office-in the heart of our city here-and hold my placards high...letting my fellow Hoosier's KNOW the horror of what Bayh and other dems like him, are doing to Miguel Estrada.

I was treated so badly by Bayh's office today-not rudely-but put off, basically given the run around after FOUR CALLS, when all I wanted to know was WHETHER Sen Bayh had taken up the White House's suggestion that ANY senator who had questions regarding Estrada could meet with Miguel at any time!

Therefore-I can no longer sit and bemoan the creeps in the dem party---I need to let my other's who don't drop in here, don't watch CSPAN, don't even receive or watch Fox News Cable KNOW what is going down.

I want Bayh's voting public to KNOW what Bayh is really all about. And what a coward he is. And worse, what a terrible judge of character he is turning out to be....and it goes on.

Other FReepers-who are concerned about this, madder than you know what, that is, need to do the same in their capitol cities or wherever their senators base their home offices. Informing the VOTING public will make those worms do the right thing....power is their life.

[chainsaw]

The only problem I see with this is that once the democrats are on record as being for the Fillibuster, it will take a lot more effort to make them change their minds if they are willing to withstand the initial fury.

However many of these democratic senators live in states with high hispanic populations and the democrats discrimination against the hispanics is very obvious. This translates into more republican votes at election time, and they know it.

[Xthe17th]

RE: Axis Of Acorns

I think you have good intentions, but an acorn can grow into a mighty oak, so I think you've picked the wrong nut. The 'Rats will never grow into anything mighty. How about "Axis of Stinkweed Seed" - always good for nothing!

[votelife]

I think this is what Bill Nelson figured out and its what terrifies Bob Graham!

Call BOB Graham!

[votelife]

ULTIMATE ESTRADA ACTIVIST THREAD!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/847037/posts

[not-alone]

Call BOB Graham! I called today and had to wait to talk to someone. I asked him how Grahan expects to be President, if he can't make up his mind how to vote on a Judge. If he is to ill to go and vote them maybe he is not able to be Senator for the people of Florida and run for President at the same time.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

My letter to my Senators (feel free to use):

Senator,

I have to say I am deeply disappointed by the racist tactics being employed by filibustering Miguel Estrada's nomination.
Even though he is Hispanic, Mr. Estrada is more than qualified to hold a high seat in the this nation's courts.
What is the reason for the stalling?
Sen. Schumer had at least two instances to question Mr. Estrada and failed both times to provide questions and now he's asking for material that no other nominee or Senator from New York has ever been required to provide.
Your continued racial policies are disgusting.
Please reconsider this ill-conceived racist filibuster.
Regards,
DITW

[livius]

the bitter little nuts unfit for aural consumption.

That's ORAL consumption. Aural means they put it in their ears - but hey, I think you're right after all.

The Dems could only be such idiots if they weren't listening to the reaction this is getting. Or maybe they can't hear it, as you suggest!

[votelife]

i called the number below and a miami office and both times told them how outrageous it is that Graham can RUN FOR PRESIDENT yet can't comment on Estrada.

supposedly his aid says he doesn't support the filibuster, but seeing as he didn't vote in it, that could mean anything. JUST ASK MARY LANDRIEU!

[mrb1960]

Hey when do you plan on doing this????

I think there might be other Hoosiers, like myself, who will want to join you. Let me KNOW!!!!!!

[nomad]

Does this mean that Miguel Estrada is out, or is there still a chance?

[Only1choice____Freedom]

>>Democrats think that they can get away with this because average voters don't pay much attention to stuff like this.

I think the "new minority" hears it and is getting the message. The real focus on this is the people who are paying attention. The Repub's are making an investment.
The payoff is next year.

Dashle will eventually lose and Bush will pick up a few more seats. Maybe enough to be veto-proof.






"In order to achieve some long-term goals, some short-term goals must be abandaned...

And vice-versa.

[MHGinTN]

They are unfit to be listened to ... unfit for OUR aural consumption.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

Does this mean that Miguel Estrada is out, or is there still a chance?

He's not out. The vote was to end the filibuster, and it failed. So, the filibuster goes on. If the filibuster ends, Estrada would be confirmed by a good margin.