When the Left says consultation, it means capitulation
President George W. Bush is actively consulting with Senators, from both sides of the aisle, more then any other President in recent memory. Though the Constitution does not require consultation, the President has decided to extend this as a courtesy to Senators of both parties. This demonstrates President Bush’s desire to appoint an honest, strong and competent juror to the Supreme Court.
With the Left more partisan then ever, they will do anything to hand the President a defeat, no matter what the cost to the nation. Honest and active consultation on the President’s part has turned into political gamesmanship to further the Left’s partisan political agenda. The Democrats’ demand for a “consensus candidate” is disingenuous, especially as liberal Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is already talking of “going to war” over an as yet unnamed nominee.
“The Left will not be satisfied with any of President Bush’s nominees unless it is an activist judge with the political stripes of Ted Kennedy or Hillary Clinton,” said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform. “Instead of helping the President find capable, honest, and competent jurors who strictly interpret the Constitution, the Left has already turned the nomination process into a political witch hunt.”
Norquist concluded, “The Left’s demand of a ‘consensus’ nominee – by which they mean a liberal — is like having George Steinbrenner insist on picking the umpires for the World Series.”
While Democratic senators claim they want mutual cooperation with President Bush, liberal special interest groups have already made clear they’ll pillory anyone Bush nominates. MoveOn.org has predicted a nominee who is an “extremist who will undermine the rights of individuals and families.”
Americans for Tax Reform has called on the Senate to meet its constitutional obligations and ensure a speedy confirmation process with an up or down vote on all judicial nominees.