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Obama Blasted for Letting GOP Hold Up Judges

Nominees locked in committee as vacancies build up

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 6:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – At this point in their first terms, Bill Clinton had had nine federal judges confirmed and George W Bush eight—but Barack Obama has got only three judges through, despite sending 23 names to the Democratic-controlled Senate. Part of the problem is Republican obstructionists who've threatened filibusters and used parliamentary techniques to hold up proceedings. But liberal activists say Obama's team is shying from a fight, leading to federal benches with gaping vacancies.

The White House and Republicans both say that the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor occupied much of the administration's focus. But appeals courts do much of the heavy lifting in American law, and Bush succeeded in packing their ranks with so-called strict constructionists. Liberals say the president has to get moving this year; by 2010, says one advocate, "Republicans will make an all-out effort to block candidates as a means to gin up their base before the election."

District Judge Beverly Martin, nominated for the federal appeals court in Atlanta, is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. She has not yet been confirmed.
District Judge Beverly Martin, nominated for the federal appeals court in Atlanta, is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. She has not yet been confirmed.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Barack Obama applauds new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the start of a reception in the East Room of The White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009.
President Barack Obama applauds new Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the start of a reception in the East Room of The White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama and new Supreme Court Justice Justice Sonia Sotomayor enter the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, for a reception in her honor.
President Barack Obama and new Supreme Court Justice Justice Sonia Sotomayor enter the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, for a reception in her honor.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
kokuaguy
Oct 17, 2009 7:49 AM CDT
Just exactly how can the President stop Republicans in the Senate frorn threatening filibusters? This is the problern of the Senate leadership. Obarna is norninating liberals (as he should) rather than centrists or even conservatives, as Clinton often did. Tirne for Senate Dernocrats to stop blarning the POTUS for their irnpotence and irresponsibility.
kokuaguy
Oct 17, 2009 7:44 AM CDT
Spudsy -- how could you of all people confuse Fondue with the usernarne rip-off artist "fondueyou"?
foodchain11
Oct 16, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
We're already labled as facsists, socialists, communists, robots---You got the name, might as well play the game. No more Mr Nice Guy. Leave their sorry butts in the dust! Enough trying to unite with people who hate your guts.

 
Barack Obama • US Appeals court • court • federal judges • judicial nominations • Sonia Sotomayor

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