UP OR DOWN & MOVE ON:

Bush calls for simple vote on judges (Holly Yeager, May 9 2005, Financial Times)

President George W. Bush weighed in forcefully on Monday on a debate that threatens to bring the Senate to a near-standstill, calling on members to “put aside the partisan practices of the past” and allow an up-or-down vote on his candidates for the federal courts.

His comments, four years to the day after he first nominated two judges now under consideration, come as a show-down nears on Senate rules governing debate over judicial nominees.

Mr Bush complained that Democrats had used the so-called filibuster the obstruction of progress in the Senate, especially by prolonged speaking to prevent a vote on confirmation of several of his court choices. The procedure allows just 40 members of the 100-seat chamber to block a vote.

“Nominees who have the support of a majority of the Senate should be confirmed,” Mr Bush said in a statement. “Unfortunately, a minority of senators is blocking the will of the Senate.”

This is a debate where he can set the terms and make it a simple issue of fairness.

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 9, 2005 5:34 PM