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***************************************** Losing the Judicial War For months now I've heard GOP leaders assure us that they have a plan for confirming the president's judicial nominees and that we just have to be patient. A full-blown read-from-the-phonebook filibuster and recess appointments aren't the answer, we're told. The key is to get tons of editorials and columns written about how the Democrats are obstructing the process and circumventing the Constitution. The Democrats, we're led to believe, will eventually feel really, really bad about blocking our judges and eventually give in. Basically, these GOP leaders are saying, "Trust us, we know what we're doing." Yeah, we've heard THAT one before. Why do I feel like Charlie Brown listening to Lucy say, "Trust me, I'll hold the football THIS time"? Fact is, the obstruction charge may be sticking in the minds of some newspapers, but Republicans are undermining their own argument by allowing votes on other judicial nominees to move forward before a vote is held on Miguel Estrada and Priscilla Owen. This is playing right into the Democrats ' hands. The D's are saying, "Hey, we're approving judges, just not those two EXTREMIST judges." And their argument is catching on. Just yesterday, the Washington Times - THE conservative paper of record in the nation's capital - included a headline that blared: "Bush appellate judge picks being OK'd at typical pace." The story includes this damning statistic: "The Senate has confirmed 24 of Mr. Bush's appellate nominees in his first 29 months in office. By comparison, the first President Bush saw 23 confirmed, and President Clinton saw 22 confirmed, at the same point in their presidencies." Again, this was in the WASHINGTON TIMES! Can you image what the New York Times, the Washington Post and the L.A. Times are going to write? Sure, there's a credible explanation for the number. There are more vacancies now than there were during #41 and #42's presidencies. But there's an old saying in politics that if you're explaining, you're losing. We are losing this fight big time. And if we lose Estrada and Owen, there ain't no way on God's green earth that President Bush is going to be able to appoint strict constructionist judges when and if any Supreme Court vacancies occur. I know judicial appointments isn't a "sexy" issue and most people don't give them a second thought. But the only check against goofy left-wing legislation is often the courts. Who sits on the bench is HUGELY important for folks like us who still believe the Constitution means what it says. Frankly, I don't think there's a more important issue out there right now, other than the war on terrorism. It's time for Republicans to stop pussy-footing around with these Senate Democrats who are blocking Estrada and Owen. It's WAY past time to play hardball. It's time to unleash our "nuclear" options to combat Daschle's weapons of mass obstruction. No more Mr. Nice Guy. It's time for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to issue a Bush-like 48-hour ultimatum and force everyone in the Senate to lay their cards on the table. Now that the tax cut is passed, no more business should be conducted in the Senate until THIS business is resolved one way or the other. Sen. Frist's office is closed this weekend, but you can still call and leave a short message on his voice mail for his return from the Memorial Day break. Just say, "Sen. Frist, enough is enough. My name is (your name) of (your state) and I'm calling to urge you to 'go nuclear' on the Democrats to free the Estrada and Owen nominations. We conservatives will back you up all the way." The number to call is (202) 224-3135. Let your fingers do some walking! Chuck Muth President Citizen Outreach *********************************** The Goldwater Doctrine "I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can." - Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative" To help promote the "Goldwater Doctrine" in public policy and government, join the Goldwater Project by going to: http://chuckmuth.com/goldwater.htm *********************************** How to Subscribe If you know someone who might like to receive News & Views, you can sign 'em up at: http://www.chuckmuth.com. Also, occasionally, the automatic listserve we use will "bump" subscribers off the list if your mailbox is full or experiences some other technical glitch. If you suddenly stop receiving News & Views, the first thing you should do is try to re-subscribe using the link above. 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