Posted on 03/11/2003 5:48:34 AM PST by 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
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 10, 2003; Author: Nat HentoffBarbara Stanley: Hillary Barks Her Marching Orders To Democrats: Bork Miguel Estrada!
Source: Toogood Published: March 7, 2003: Author: Barbara StanleyDems: We Dont Really Want Answers from Estrada.
Source: National Review; Published: March 4, 2003; Author: Byron YorkThe 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
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.
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.
It is still a oneway battle with the Liberal Media.
Dick Cheney is now presiding over the Senate. (^:
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.
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