Judge John Roberts Watch: Leahy Supports Nomination

Senate leaders and the top two lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee speak with members of the media, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, after a White House meeting with President Bush to discuss the second vacancy on the Supreme Court. The meeting was similar to one Bush held in July, one week before he nominated Roberts to fill the shoes of the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Left to right are Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter, R-Penn. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee announced Wednesday he will vote to confirm John Roberts for chief justice of the United States after leading lawmakers met with
President Bush to discuss candidates for the other high court vacancy.

The announcement by veteran Sen. Patrick Leahy (news, bio, voting record) came amid virtually unprecedented executive-legislative branch jockeying over not one, but two high court openings, seats left vacant by the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and the retirement of Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Roberts’ confirmation was virtually assured even before Leahy’s announcement. The Vermont senator’s decision, made public shortly after he and three other leading senators met privately with Bush at the White House to discuss candidates for O’Connor’s place on the bench, came on the eve of the Judiciary panel’s vote on whether to favorably recommend Roberts’ confirmation.

Who cares?

Is this the attempt by Democrats to look reasonable in the Robert’s confirmation process. Judge Robert’s confirmation is assured and Leahy’s support is meaningless. But, then again, it is no surprise that Kennedy and Kerry will vote against the confirmation.

The Robert’s confirmation is guaranteed and the President is now moving to his next nomination.

Captain Ed has Dividing The Dems

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