Comments on: Kavanaugh and the Politics of Judicial Nominations http://poliblogger.com/?p=9938 A rough draft of my thoughts... Tue, 16 Nov 2025 04:25:28 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Catch 22 http://poliblogger.com/?p=9938&cpage=1#comment-604773 Catch 22 Thu, 11 May 2025 02:44:55 +0000 http://poliblogger.com/?p=9938#comment-604773 Given the importance of the DC Circuit court of appeals Kavanaugh's record is not much to look at. He is probably the least qualified nominee in over 30 years to that court. Meanwhile his resume is that of a partisan and Bush insider and loyalist. Its hard to believe that many people outside of rightwing political hardliners believe that Kavanaugh is the best Bush could find for this imortant position. This kind of pick underscores Bush partisan record on judicial picks as well as mirror his pick of Miers where someone responsbible for judical picks and politcal activism gets himself nominated somehow. The GOP appears to be ready to back him because they believe it makes for good politics instead of good for our system of justice, which is sad indeed. Part of the problem for the GOP is that Bush's selections dont give them much to run on, so they are left with talking points about the importance of quick up or down votes with GOP discipline expected to ensure no one votes out of line on a mediocre appoitment so long as there are no smoking gun problems. Other nominees might not be so lucky: "In an interview, committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said conflict-of-interest allegations will be 'disqualifying' unless Boyle can dispute or explain published reports that he held stock in companies involved in cases he was hearing." Given the importance of the DC Circuit court of appeals Kavanaugh’s record is not much to look at. He is probably the least qualified nominee in over 30 years to that court. Meanwhile his resume is that of a partisan and Bush insider and loyalist. Its hard to believe that many people outside of rightwing political hardliners believe that Kavanaugh is the best Bush could find for this imortant position. This kind of pick underscores Bush partisan record on judicial picks as well as mirror his pick of Miers where someone responsbible for judical picks and politcal activism gets himself nominated somehow.

The GOP appears to be ready to back him because they believe it makes for good politics instead of good for our system of justice, which is sad indeed.

Part of the problem for the GOP is that Bush’s selections dont give them much to run on, so they are left with talking points about the importance of quick up or down votes with GOP discipline expected to ensure no one votes out of line on a mediocre appoitment so long as there are no smoking gun problems.

Other nominees might not be so lucky: “In an interview, committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) said conflict-of-interest allegations will be ‘disqualifying’ unless Boyle can dispute or explain published reports that he held stock in companies involved in cases he was hearing.”

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