Republican lawmakers frustrated with the slow pace of judicial confirmations and Democratic maneuvers to prevent President Bush's nominees from getting a vote on the Senate floor are taking out their frustrations in a variety of ways. In the beginning of Wednesday's Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Bush nominee John G. Roberts Jr., Chairman Orrin Hatch praised Democrat Sen. Charles Schumer of New York for asking "intelligent" questions, but then Hatch switched gears. "Some [of his questions] I totally disagree with," Hatch of Utah said. "Some I think are dumbass questions, between you and me. I am not kidding you. I mean, as much as I love and respect you, I just think that's true."
Come on Orrin. You love and respect Chuck Schumer?
A stunned Schumer asked if he heard the chairman correctly, to which Hatch said yes. Again, Schumer asked Hatch if he would like to "revise and extend his remark," congressional speak for change his mind. A former trial attorney, Hatch replied: "No, I am going to keep it exactly the way it is. I mean, I hate to say it. I mean, I feel badly saying it between you and me. But I do know dumbass questions when I see dumbass questions." The nervous laughter that accompanied the exchange belies the growing tension over the confirmation process. While Roberts, a respected lawyer nominated for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, is likely to win Senate approval, Democrats fear the conservative 48-year-old with 39 cases before the Supreme Court under his belt, may one day be nominated to sit on that bench. Republicans are also frustrated with their own Senate leader Bill Frist, saying he is not making Democrats feel enough pain for their blockage of Bush nominees.
Too bad Trent had to pine for the days of yore. He has more fire in his belly than does the genteel Senator from Tennessee.
That impression has been fostered by remarks like one Wednesday by the Senate's top Democrat, who was asked whether he has yet seen any evidence of payback for the filibusters. "No, I have not," said Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
Just you wait Tommy Boy. It's coming. |