Saturday, April 16, 2005

Juggling Swords.

The Senate Republican Leadership is considering the so-called "nuclear option", namely changing the operating rules by which judicial nominees are confirmed (requiring a simple majority confirmation rather than a supermajority).

It's bad idea, for a lot of reasons based on good conservative principles. George Will recently detailed its dangers, and suggested alternate strategies. I've got another strategy the GOP should employ. One thing a Senator covets more than a principle is ...patronage. I wonder how many Democrat Senators would stand their ground on stopping these supposed "retrograde" judges if they had to sacrifice their state's new water projects, post offices, and the like. Take away Robert Byrd's bottomless pit of govenment-supplied asphalt for West Virginia roads...he'll be hands up in favor of these nominees by the end of the day. Let's Play Real Hardball.

1 comment:

RollCast said...

T-Baby,

I never said patronage was a purely Democratic affliction. It is the political crack of far too many Republicans, too. I just said to see what the value of the Dems' principles are by taking the "bacon" from the table. You may be correct - that this is a matter of principle for the the Dems. Then again...

Look, this logjam on the judges has gone on for two years. It has a very serious effect on serving justice. The Senate knows the record on these nominees, there is nothing else to be learned. Just do the people's business, please, and vote on their appointments.