WP: GOP to blame for failure to vote on judicial nominees

[usregimechange]

The Nov. 19 editorial, "Nomination roadblocks," reached the right conclusions about the unprecedented Republican tactics of obstruction that have prevented qualified judicial nominees from taking their seats on the understaffed federal courts. But its analysis of why we are in this mess was wildly off the mark.

To partly lay the blame on "some interest groups" trying to "win confirmation for liberal favorites," is absurd, as is putting Republican tactics last in a list of culprits as if they were just another contributing factor. This false equivalency of causes is belied by two years of blatant, unrelenting Republican obstruction, including secret and open holds, threats of filibusters and other delaying tactics.

"Interest groups" haven't prevented final votes; Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has. It's been that way since President Obama took office and, as the editorial said, it needs to stop. The 23 nominees now stuck in legislative limbo should each receive a final vote before this Congress adjourns. The lame-duck Senate should not be contributing to the creation of a lame-duck judiciary.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/24/AR2010112407032.html

[Tx4obama]

1. K & R n/t