February 07, 2005
WHICH WAY TO THE CLIFF?:
Confirmation politics (Robert Novak, February 7, 2005, Townhall)
Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, intensely ambitious and partisan, was uncharacteristically caught off balance. He had worked so amiably on federal judgeships in his state with Alberto Gonzales as White House counsel that the senator effusively endorsed his nomination as attorney general. Now, weeks later, Schumer was not only criticizing Gonzales but opposing his confirmation.
How did a four-year relationship suddenly sour? There was no revelation about Gonzales causing scales to fall from Schumer's eyes. Instead, the inner circle of Senate Democrats determined that the previously non-controversial Mexican-American from Texas would be the prime target of President Bush's second term nominations. Schumer, caught leaning the wrong way on a party matter, recovered and was one of 35 Democrats (out of 41 present) plus one nominal independent who voted last Thursday against Gonzales.
The vote was a good indication that he's given up on a gubernatorial bid. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 7, 2005 08:41 AM
Comments
Spitzer is going to be governor and Schumer has resigned himself to fighting over microphones with the Hildebeest at least to 2006, when she'll probably step down to devote full time to her putative Presidential campaign and not 'cheat the voters of New York out of having a full-time Senator.' Then with some quiet figure like Pataki in the other seat, he can resume his camera-hogging act without fear of interference.
Posted by: Bart at February 7, 2005 01:38 PM