June 1, 2005
BLOODY MICHIGAN:
Federal Judge Richard Enslen to go on senior status (KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN, 6/01/05, The Associated Press)
U.S. District Judge Richard Enslen, who during his quarter-century on the federal bench has presided over cases involving tribal fishing rights, conditions in Michigan prisons and gender equity in high school sports, plans to go on senior status at the end of 2005.Enslen, in a letter dated May 26, advised President Bush of his intention to go on senior status. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter on Wednesday.
The longtime judge, based in Kalamazoo, could still hear cases once he goes on senior status. But the change will create a vacancy for President Bush to fill later this year. Bush is also expected to name another new judge to the federal court in Lansing if current Judge David McKeague is confirmed for a seat on the 6th U.S. District Court of Appeals in Cincinnati.
The President could put on a pretty little dog and pony show by inviting in the Judiciary Committe, the Gang of 14 and Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow to discuss potential nominees. Muddying the water that much would allow him to pick whoever he wants and say the Senate was consulted first. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 1, 2005 4:51 PM
Protocol would give Levin and Stabenow the right of reccomendation for federal judges within their state. But given the Democrats' recent actions to ignore the past history of advise and consent over judicial nominees, Bush could use the impending vacancy as a wedge to get the frozen 6th Circuit judicial nominations approved (though senior status could keep Enslen on near-regular status if the Michigan courts backlog enough due to the absense of a replacement judge).
Posted by: John at June 1, 2005 6:46 PMDistrict judges don't matter much and aren't getting filibustered.
Posted by: pj at June 1, 2005 10:30 PM"District judges don't matter much..."
Tell that to Arthur Anderson. If the trial judge doesn't screw up the jury instructions (as the Supremes ruled unanimously), the firm is still in business and thousands of people still have their jobs.
Posted by: Foos at June 2, 2005 12:15 AMFoos - Yes, I should have said they don't matter much to Democratic Senators.
Posted by: pj at June 2, 2005 7:49 AM