Dems ask to be consulted on SC pix; WH already consulting Xian law group

[BurtWorm]

But that's not a litmus test, right? They don't do litmus tests, right?


http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050624-120919-5576r.htm

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said again yesterday that "there's no vacancy that exists at this point."
However, the Christian Legal Society has been asked to provide its recommendations for a replacement for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, 80, who has thyroid cancer. The group complied.
The spokesman acknowledged yesterday that the White House has "made preparations to be ready in case someone does leave the Supreme Court." The court's summer session ends Thursday, and there is rampant speculation that Chief Justice Rehnquist will announce as early as Monday that he is stepping down.
In what amounts to the opening salvo of what many expect will be a contentious battle, top Democrats on Capitol Hill yesterday urged Mr. Bush to consult with them on any nominee to help avoid the kind of partisan wrangling that engulfed his lower-court picks.
"The way to avoid the divisiveness and discord that occurred over past judicial nominations is through consensus and cooperation in the selection of future candidates," 43 of the Senate's 44 Democrats and its lone independent said in a letter to the White House.

[Modem Butterfly]

1. Oh those poor, persecuted Xians

Maybe once they're allowed to make all our legal decisions they'll finally be free of the overwhelming religious bigotry against them.

[housewolf]

2. Repub Sen says consultation with senators on SC nom's unconstitutional

Yeah... and Sen. Mitch McConnell, on the senate floor on Thursday, went on and on about how it would be "unconstitutional" for the president to consult with senators re judicial nominations.

Can you imagine??????

According to McConnell, the constitution gives the president the authority "to nominate" and only gives the senate the authority "to advise and consent" AFTER the president makes a nomination!

'Course the pres can consult with all sorts of groups prior to making a nomination but NOT ANY SENATORS????

What utter nonsense! Just talk to Arlen Specter and Orrin Hatch about how unconstitutional it is for the president to consult with the senate prior to making a nomination! How does he think Ginsberg & Breyer were confirmed so easily?

Grrrr....[]\\\\\