Washington Post: Nominations Roadblock In The Senate "Unconscionable"

washingtonpost.com:

IT HAS BEEN almost six months since President Obama nominated Indiana law professor Dawn E. Johnsen to head the Justice Department's influential Office of Legal Counsel (OLC). Almost five months have passed since the Senate Judiciary Committee gave her a favorable vote and sent the nomination to the full Senate.

Yet with just days left before the August recess, there has yet to be a floor vote. This is unconscionable.

Read the whole story: washingtonpost.com

Comments

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

The real question is when will the Democratic leaders take serious what the Republican say and do? They said that they want President Obama and his administration to fail and they have shown over and over that they mean what they say. You can not reason with those whose motives are bent on distruction and obstruction. The Democrats must move on and leave the Republicans behind with their fringe supporters. The Republicans can not win the battle against the whole country.

[MaryanneAZ]

This is one of the reasons why Sen. John Mc.Cain is on his way out here in Arizona. Enough IS enough. In Arizona, Mc.Cain's opponent is anti-immigrant, but may still out primary him. I can live with that. The only Dem in the race so far is Rudy Garcia of Tucson. His resume is impressive and he has a real shot at the Hispanic, Indie, Dem and non-rabid GOP vote. I have recently joined his campaign efforts: www.arizonaonthemove.com. Arizona is now considered an up-for-grabs State. We are turning Arizona blue. Si nosotros puedemos! Yes WE Can!!!

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

Reid is not the man for the job. We need a hard liner, someone who is willing to bulldoze over the Republican obstructionest. You have to fight fire with fire.

[Shortyfuse]

http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/John_C._Dugan
Great website for to see who is in Obama administration.

GET THE BIG PICTURE

[Cogs]

If Harry Reid has to go to get the senate back on track who would be the choice to replace him? Dick Durbin? Barbara Boxer?

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

My pick would be Sen. Whitehouse of Vermont, he would make the Republicans tow the line. However, Whitehouse might not have the senority to get the job.

[NoFooling]

I hope President Obama will use the recess to seat themm and maybe issue a few executive orders to break the obstructionists.

At the very least it may communicate to Congress that going on vacation for several weeks, while the American people are desperate for solutions and leadership, is ill-advised.

[rosiebond007]

SEAT THEM DURING RECESS

[OzzieSmerck]

Two words:

RE - CESS!!!!!

[Shortyfuse]

Anne M. Northup
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
United States Senate
August 5, 2009
"Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Hutchison, and
members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today, especially this week with all of the important matters competing for your attention.
I am honored to have been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as
a Commissioner of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. I
thank the President for the opportunity to serve. If confirmed by the Senate, I will do my best to see that the Consumer Product Safety Commission effectively and efficiently protects the well being of our children and families and enforces the laws for which it has responsibi­lity."

Looks like Obama can only get right wing neo cons elected. The people of Kentucky worked hard to get this EX congresswoman and member of Tom Delays ARMPAC ousted and a Democrat in his place.
Just more smoke and mirrors. Thanks for nothing Obama.

[MaryanneAZ]

Waaa, waaa, waaa. President Obama does NOT control Congress. Civics 101. Redirect your angst and ire at the Congress, not the President. Your post seems like a thinly veiled Obama bash. Not this time. Not this time.

[claudiam]

Reid is a spineless leader. The Dems need to get someone who can make something happen. I bet the Rethugs love it. claudiatucsonaz

[MaryanneAZ]

claudiatucsonaz, have you researched Rudy Garcia yet? He is the only Dem running for Senate and is from Tucson. He has an impressive resume. Check him out: www.arizon­aonthemove­.come. We can turn this State blue.

[MaryanneAZ]

I meant to type: www.arizonaonthemove.com. Whoops.

[dertbagg]

They really want him to fail. Bush never had to go through this. Sad! HE fails the nation fails there is no political gain here!

[Lemmy]

False - See Miguel Estrada who was blocked "by an extraordinary filibuster mounted by Senate Democrats" -- as The New York Times put it.

[IamaLogican]

You named one person, and that was not a trivial matter. Even when your side has a point it is lame and pales in comparison to what the Repub's have done.

You know it, we all know it. You can't defend the indefensible.

[somsoc]

What can you expect from the Ghoulish Obstructionist Per.verts ??

[HST]

The do-nothing party of no rides again!

[Bluesue]

Where is the editorial about why these nominations are delayed? They couldn't bring themselves to condemn the Republicans for being obstructionists. I think Harry Reid is a weakling but . . .

on Dawn Johnson - from gop.gov March 23, 2009:

"At least 45 House Republicans have co-signed a letter to President Barack Obama in opposition to his nomination of Dawn Johnson for the head of the Office of Legal Counsel."

Why? abortion.

"And this reported in Foreign Policy on June 19:

A Congressional source says that Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) put a hold on all State Department nominees earlier this week because he is not satisifed with the information he has been receiving from the administration on the progress of arms control negotiations with Russia."

Or this reported by McClatchy on July 21:

"DeMint puts nominees on hold over Obama's Honduras policy"

Or on Hamilton:

Inhofe Will Filibuster Judicial Nominee For Ruling Against Sectarian Prayers In Indiana Legislature

Inhofe’s announcement comes nearly three weeks after the Republican membership of the Senate Judiciary Committee boycotted Hamilton’s hearing claiming that “they had not been given sufficient time to prepare for the hearing.”

The Republican mantra - obstruct, obstruct, obstruct

[Coinyer101]

we need more hippies in congress. at least we know how to beat the system....­..,

[Shortyfuse]

Ha ha love it