Sunday, September 16, 2007

Elections Matter, Cont'd   [Kate O'Beirne]

Majority Leader Harry Reid pledged to block the nomination of Ted Olson as attorney general because appeasing his left-wing base is more important than the welfare of DOJ.  Ted Olson is guilty of successfully representing Republican presidents.  Every complaint raised at the prospect of Olson’s nomination was raised during his confirmation hearings as solicitor general in 2001.  The past six years are ignored because Olson performed in that office with unquestionable skill and integrity.  His professionalism has earned the respect and admiration of a unanimous Supreme Court, his DOJ associates, and his courtroom adversaries.   Dick Durbin disagrees.

Senate Democrats were unwilling to condemn the smear of a commanding general by their antiwar allies.  They were willing to play politics at the expense of a Justice Department so in need of the leadership Olson could have so ably provided.  The opposition to a nomination of Ted Olson makes clear that it wasn’t the well-being of DOJ that motivated their demands for the resignation of Alberto Gonzales.  And, professional accomplishment is hardly a prerequisite for winning their support.  Can you imagine a Democratic president seeking the legal counsel of Janet Reno?

Conservatives may have relished a battle on behalf of such a demonstrably qualified nominee, but it appears the White House concluded that a protracted confirmation fight was not in the best interests of the Justice Department.   It is expected that the nomination of Judge Mukasey will not generate the kind of left-wing assault that would unify Senate Democrats in opposition to him.  The opinion of Andy McCarthy and others familiar with the veteran federal judge will help persuade conservatives that he merits their support, but their anger and frustration over the preemptive opposition to Ted Olson will remain. 

09/16 02:21 PMShare