Political Pandering, Hypocrisy Mark White House’s Latest Nomination Stunt

Statement of Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron

February 6, 2008, Washington, DC—"The White House's breakfast for pending nominees is nothing more than election year political theatre. The administration is more interested in scoring political points and providing opportunities for Republican leadership to prove their conservative bona fides to the base than it is in sending up qualified nominees.

"The actions of the Bush administration and Senate Republicans are rank with hypocrisy.  As the nomination of Hans von Spakovsky demonstrates, they call for up-or-down votes only when it is rhetorically convenient.  Senate Democrats have repeatedly offered to hold an up-or-down vote on the von Spakovsky nomination, but have been rebuffed by Republicans afraid to lose that vote.  And, despite the calls for the swift confirmation of many nominees, President Bush has indicated his willingness to sacrifice these same nominees for the chance to install Stephen Bradbury, the author of a series of memos authorizing harsh CIA interrogation techniques, as assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel.

"Finally, at the end of the Clinton administration, Republicans held open 26 vacancies on the court of appeals for the next president to fill. In contrast, the Bush administration is using its final months in office to cement his legacy on the courts through his courtpacking program, a course of action that will affect the lives of every American for decades to come."