Dems are caterwauling that Bush's recess appointment of Charles Pickering is radical, mean and destroying the bipartisan spirit in D.C. I'm assuming they mean the ranting about miserable failures and conspiracy theories coming from the Democratic front-runners when they talk about bipartisanship. Language and definitions are somewhat subjective, after all.
Here's what Howard Dean's blog had to say:
"This is a polarizing move showing the President's utter disdain for constitutional checks and balances. . . Today's egregious appointment is another reason why we need a President and an administration in Washington that stands up for all Americans."
But is it really such a novel thing to make a recess appointment? Here's a press release, dated 27 December, 2000, from a Clinton, governmental website:
"Today, President Clinton appointed Roger Gregory to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. This appointment is historic. . . The President's power to make recess appointments is embedded in the Constitution. Presidents have made more than 300 recess appointments to the federal judiciary since 1789, the year of the first judicial recess appointment."
Clinton made recess appointments for everything from the judiciary, to a controversial ambassador, to three seats on a library commission and others. The Dems are either lying, or have less than four years of historical memory and no access to the internet. I'll let you decide which.
Update: Mark Byron is also posting on Pickering.
Posted by Discoshaman at janvier 19, 2004 01:30 AM | TrackBack
Right, the "bipartisan spirit." Would that be the "bipartisan spirit" in which simultaneous filibusters of judicial nominees have been carried out for more than two years for the first time in HISTORY?
Or perhaps the "bipartisan spirit" which led Ted Kennedy to refer to Miguel Estrada and Priscilla Owen as "Neanderthals"?
The reason for the caterwauling is because the Dems know that by their own design, the real power in this country now lies in the judiciary. Their monolothic control of it is the real source of their power, and they will not let it go easily. Until the GOP realizes this (and this recess appointment is a sign that maybe they're starting to), all the legislation in the world won't mean squat.
John!
"The reason for the caterwauling is because the Dems know that by their own design, the real power in this country now lies in the judiciary."
Awesome point. Which explains the naked terror one sees in Democratic eyes when the phrase "Federalist Society judges" is uttered. :)
Posted by: Discoshaman at janvier 20, 2004 02:51 AM