Because the Senate will continue its debate on judicial nominations this week, here is one more batch of quotes I found from Democrats regarding the judicial nomination process when their president was making nominations. Back then, they believed that the nominees awaiting confirmation actually deserved a vote.
Now Democrats not only do not stand up for the rights of judicial nominees, but they also actively campaign against them. They have even taken the unprecedented step of filibustering two circuit court nominations - Priscilla Owen and Miguel Estrada.
Perhaps one day Democrats will end their equivocation, but don't hold your breath.
Sen. Tom Harkin (D.-Iowa): There are 22 vacancies in our federal appeals courts . . . . These positions should be filled with qualified individuals as soon as possible. I urge the Republican leadership to take the steps necessary to allow the full Senate to vote up or down on these important nominations. (Congressional Record, S9664, October 3, 2000)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D.-Vt.): Let us find a way to tell these nominees they will get a vote one way or the other. I am not asking anybody how they should or should not vote but allow nominees to have a vote. All the people being nominated are extremely highly qualified lawyers and judges. They have to put their lives on hold and the lives of their families on hold while they wait. . . . Vote them up, vote them down. (Congressional Record, S11102, September 21, 1999)
Sen. Tom Daschle (D.-S.D.): It is important that all of the nominees who are pending before the Judiciary Committee be considered. (Congressional Record, S11789, October 1, 1999)
Sen. Daschle: The Republican majority should not be allowed to cherry-pick among nominees, allowing some to be confirmed in weeks, while letting other nominations languish for years. . . . Let the Senate vote on every nomination. (Congressional Record, S11919, October 5, 1999)
Sen. Leahy: When we hold a nominee up by not allowing them a vote and not taking any action one way or the other, we are not only voting "maybe" but we are doing a terrible disservice to the man or woman to whom we do this. They have to put their life on hold. They do not know what is going to happen: Are they going to be confirmed, or not? (Congressional Record, S9672, October 3, 2000)
Sen. Leahy: Either vote for them or vote against them. Don't leave people . . . just hanging forever without even getting a rollcall vote. That is wrong. It is not a responsible way and besmirches the Senate. . . . (Congressional Record, S9881-9882, October 5, 2000)
