Bush v Democrats: The Judicial Confirmation Process

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The Constitution gives the President the power to appoint judges, but only with the -advice and consent- of the Senate. Yet in an argument as old as the Constitution itself, the President claims the Senate is holding up his judicial nominees, so the courts can-t do business. The Senate says the President is trying to pack the courts with ideologues or cronies. This time, President Bush is accusing Senate Democrats of delaying justice by holding up his judicial nominees. Democrats say he-s appointing extremist ideologues and that Senate Republicans gave worse treatment to President Clinton. We join Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, experts on judicial reform and constitutional law, and former presidential counsel John Dean for a discussion about partisan politics, judicial independence, and the filibuster.
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American Bar Association

DOJ on Miguel Estrada, judicial nominee to Appeals Court

DOJ on Priscilla Owen, judicial nominee to Appeals Court

House Judiciary Committee

Senate Judiciary Committee

Republican Party of Texas

Texas Democratic Party

Texas Legislature

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney