Miguel Estrada: The President Must Take His Case To The People

CNSNews.com ^ | March 11, 2003 | Paul M. Weyrich

[Stand Watch Listen]

I am given to believe that some folks at the White House read this column, so with that in mind, and with apologies to you, dear readers, I will address this offering in the form of a memo to them.

Memo to White House staff
Re: The Miguel Estrada Nomination
March 11, 2003

Let us briefly review where we are, how we got there, and then discuss a plan of action to win the nomination.

Right now, as you know, the Estrada nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals is the pending business in the Senate some of the time.

The Republican leadership filed the first cloture motion, and there were 55 votes to shut off debate, 44 in favor of continuing debate. Those 55 included all 51 Republicans and 4 Democrats.

The Republican leadership says it will file as many cloture motions as is necessary to bring the Estrada nomination to a vote. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle has announced, after a poll of his caucus, that he has at least 41 votes to continue debate ad infinitum.

A real filibuster is not contemplated at this time. Thus the Estrada nomination is set aside while the Senate conducts other business. I understand why the GOP leadership feels it can't conduct a 'round-the-clock filibuster at this time. What they tell me makes sense, but I regret it is the case because only with a real filibuster will there be a chance to win.

We got to this point, after Estrada was voted out of the Judiciary Committee on a party line vote, soon after Republicans took control of the U.S. Senate. The leadership felt that it had to file cloture in order to make it clear to the American public who was blocking Estrada's nomination and who was not. Their hope was that by publishing the vote, pressure could be put on some Senators in states with large Hispanic populations or Senators who are up for re-election.

Unfortunately, the left has more resources than Estrada's supporters do, and right now the calls coming into Senate offices are actually running against Estrada. These are not spontaneous grass-roots calls. These are calls generated by the left-wing interest groups, using paid help.

Here is the problem. Mr. Estrada is the President's nominee. If he loses, the President loses. Senators will be disappointed -- a few of them even bitter. But the real effect of losing the battle over Estrada will be on President Bush himself.

Not only will many of his other nominations be in jeopardy, but the precedent will have been set that it now takes 60 votes to confirm a judge to the court of appeals. This is probably unconstitutional but who is willing to take that issue on?

The point is, so much is at stake here that the President MUST win this fight. There is only ONE way that can happen. You know which Senators are most likely to tell their leadership that they can't stick with them because the pressure is too great. The President is going to have to go to those states and name those Senators and ask the people of the state to let the Senators know what they want them to do about Estrada.

This can't be done long distance. What the President says about this matter here in Washington, even if he mentions Senators by name, gets drowned out. But when he goes to a state to specifically point to an obstructionist Senator, the President is guaranteed a day and half of wall-to-wall coverage.

I know we are on the verge of war. I know the President badly needs his legislation to move this economy. But the stakes are that high on this nomination. Lose Estrada and the President's tax package becomes a tougher sell. Should the President get the opportunity to nominate someone for the Supreme Court, unless he wants to anger his base and appoint a liberal, forget that nomination. No matter what the qualifications, no matter how sterling the record, no matter what the ABA says, the nomination would be dead in the water.

I could tell, with that somber press conference last Thursday evening, the President has a great deal on his mind. He is feeling the burden of office. I hate to have to commend this course of action to you. There is no other; as will become evident when the Senate has its 7th cloture vote (the most ever) and the stalemate stands.

I don't expect my advice is worth more than you pay to get it (for benefit of the readers: nothing). This time, however, I hope you will pay attention to it. I see no other way to win, and win we must.

(Paul M. Weyrich is chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.)

Free Congress Foundation

[Stand Watch Listen]

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[TLBSHOW]

BUMP

[hoosiermama]

Here's one to read and share.

[spudsmaki]

I understand why the GOP leadership feels it can't conduct a 'round-the-clock filibuster at this time.

So do I, everything's an A1 priority for George, unless he has to offend someone to accomplish it. In this case, George would offend Planned Parenthood. George is just stringing along his voting base: Miguel, your nomination is a con job.

Bush wants to build a new govt for Iraq, when he can't even do it in his native country.

I held my nose to vote for George, once, but not again.

[anniegetyourgun]

As much as I appreciate Paul, if the president took his advice while we sit on the brink of war, the people would think him nuts. No, the answer is still to require a real filibuster while we sit on the brink of war, so that the people will think the Dems nuts.

[TLBSHOW]

PING

[aristeides]

I wonder why Weyrich doesn't mention recess appointments.

[TLBSHOW]

never give up I say!

[BushWonGore'sDone]

Best idea and solution I've read yet!

[TLBSHOW]

today will be the day that shows what the President and the senate is made of on this issue. they have all the infomation to deal with this from very good sources and it will be telling just what they do with it.

as for recess that is a idea too, but remember I was slammed for that idea because they won't get paid or it lasts only a year. :>)

I like 24 7 very much but Frist doesn't as we can see!

[VRWC_minion]

I don't expect my advice is worth more than you pay to get it

What advice ? THe author does nothing but complain.

I think there is a plan in effect that is being carried out. I think it includes wearing the rats down leading to a show down after the Iraq war when the president is riding high and when the news folks need a new story.

I even think the recent partial birth abortion bill in congress is part of this strategy in that it helps wear the rats out and weakens the enthusiasm of their base when it evenntually passes. When its all over, the freeper contingent that says "I want it now or I'll hold my breath till I turn blue" will be silent and may even grudgingly give credit to the senate R's.

[Cicero]

Estrada is critical. It will set the tone at least for the next two years. If he doesn't go forward, forget any other judicial nominations, forget the tax cut, and forget and hope that the Dems will feel obliged to cooperate on the war effort.

It is possible to walk and chew gum at the same time, as Bush has often shown. He must do something like this even if the war is about to start. Maybe even ESPECIALLY if the war is about to start, because the Dems need to be made to pay the penalty for their partisan obstructionism and lack of support for the good of the country.

[Registered]

LOSER!

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the ping! You are right -- people need to read this article.

[BIGZ]

The Liberal Press and other Media outlets have been very quiet about the entire Estrada Filibuster. It is almost if they are affraid of the backlash if the American people were fully informed on the issue. If President Bush uses the Bully Pulpit to push for his candidate, the the Media could not ignore the situation any longer.

It is still a oneway battle with the Liberal Media.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Excuse me, but you've been listening to too much mainstream news. Listening to the President, I know he's been out there fighting - in public, for Miguel, for his domestic agenda and the war on terrorism. I hear him. 24/7 bitter ranting from sorelosermen journalists across the globe does confuse.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The liberal press hasn't been quiet so much as they've been dishonest. They're printing the DNC PR. They're lying. Conservatives, hispanic groups, politicians, the President and people like us have been fighting for Miguel and making ourselves heard. Even the big city editorials, left-wing, are siding with Miguel. Still, AP, Reuters newswires print mostly DNC PR. We are bypassing them, going to our neighbors, etc., in the hopes that in a few years the mainstream press will be as irrelevent as the UN....and people will look for more honest and honorable news outlets.

Dick Cheney is now presiding over the Senate. (^:

[votelife]

ESTRADA ACTIVIST THREAD!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/847037/posts?q=1&&page=1

[churchillbuff]

In states with Dem senators, but GOP majorities in the state legislature, Bush should go and ADDRESS THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN SPECIAL SESSION. The local media coverage would be huge.

[churchillbuff]

I know he's been out there fighting - in public, for Miguel, for his domestic agenda and the war on terrorism

ACTUALLY, BUSH DIDN'T MENTION ESTRADA AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK. HE HAD A DIRECT, UNFILTERED LINE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, BUT DIDN'T CONSIDER THE ESTRADA THING IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO MENTION.