Nuclear Option Fallout: Obama Adding Judges Faster Than Bush, Clinton

[DonViejo]

By SAHIL KAPUR Published AUGUST 4, 2014, 10:42 AM EDT

President Barack Obama has already confirmed more circuit judges than his two predecessors did by the end of their sixth year in office, thanks in large part to Senate Democrats nuking the 60-vote threshold in November for most nominees.

Before the Senate left town for recess last week, it confirmed the president's 52nd circuit nominee, Pamela Harris, to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, by a vote of 50-43. At the end of his sixth year, George W. Bush confirmed 51 circuit judges; Bill Clinton confirmed 50 circuit judges.

The Senate has been historically unproductive in the 113th Congress but Democrats have worked to speedily confirm Obama nominees before the November elections, when Republicans have a serious chance at regaining control.

Harris was also the 22nd female appellate judge appointed by Obama, the highest for any president.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/obama-judges-bush-clinton

[riqster]

1. Kick and Rec.

[Fred Sanders]

2. I hope more people appreciate the crucial role federal judges play in American democracy, how

very important the appointment of these judges is by a liberal President.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. if they haven't gotten it by now, with the CONservative Supreme court,

..... well....will they ever get it?

[Fred Sanders]

4. Not while the mass media propaganda of equalization of all issues and sides is still alive.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. so true.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. When we're all slaves to the right-wing ideologues.

Some people won't wake up until it's too late.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. when the Allies' tanks rolled down the streets of Berlin,

They actually saw some people standing in the rubble, waving their little Nazi flags.

THAT'S how lost and stupid people can be.

[Gothmog]

5. This is great news but Leahy needs to get rid of the blue slip procedure

Texas is hurting for judges and neither Cornyn nor Carnival Cruz will suggest any names to fill these vacancies

[Rstrstx]

8. Absolutely

The blue slip rule is beyond idiotic, now that Obama seems to have grown a pair I think he should just go around Leahy and go public with some names for vacancies here in TX and the 5th Circuit and in other places, all while blaming it (not untruthfully) on just more Republican obstructionism. It wouldn't be an abuse of power in the least bit and would give the Republicans (and Leahy) the big middle finger they deserve.

[Gothmog]

11. Texas needs new judges

Cornyn and Carnival Cruz are blocking the appointment of needed judges

[drm604]

7. Thank you Harry Reid.

This really is a big deal. Courts are important!

[SnakeEyes]

12. Turnover in courts exists a lot over an administration

and to the next. I hope this doesnt bite us in the ass if, god forbid, Republicans get the senate and and White House in 2 years and they get free reign on the court appointments

[totodeinhere]

13. This points out the importance of the upcoming midterm election. If the GOP should

get control of the Senate then Obama's court nominees would have a much harder time getting confirmed. They can try to hurry up and get as many confirmed as possible now, but that won't help with vacancies that occur after next January if the GOP gets Senate control. So we must make sure that that doesn't happen.

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. good