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1 In 8 Federal Judgeships Sit Empty; Dems Blame GOP Obstruction, GOP Blames Obama's Dearth Of Nominations

Empty Bench

First Posted: 08/31/10 12:19 AM ET Updated: 05/25/11 06:30 PM ET

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Los Angeles Times:

Almost one in eight federal judgeships is vacant in the country and legal scholars warn that the increasingly politicized confirmation process threatens the administration of justice across the nation.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

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COMMUNITY PUNDITS
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Meggie 10:02 AM on 08/31/2010
1463 Fans
This impasse might change if MSM would do a couple hour-long primetime shows on how things are logjammed in Congress. It doesn't make a lot of sense to keep nominating names if they are just going to be held up by Republicans. But, as long as our corporate media is going to be complicit in Republican lies on this and many other issues, and Americans don't bother to search out the truth, they'll get away  Read More...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rory talbot
Former Dem but they r now wing of Corp. party
505 Fans
04:04 PM on 08/31/2010
Obama, catch a clue: they hate you anyway. The only love you might possibly have had was from your base. But you ignore us, take us for granted, and allow those closest to you to call us f'ing ret ards. For the love of Mike, DO SOMETHING for the only people who will appreciate it. For the same people who worked their tails off for you in the campaign. Who gave you money. Who phone banked for you. Be bold! Act like a Democrat. If everyone was going to disapprove of what I did, no matter what I did, I'd at least TRY to enact policy that would help the country. You've already lost the message war, so who cares! If you look at it correctly, it's liberating to be in this position. You cannot salvage your overly cautious presidency by being more cautious. Your started from the right and going more right isn't going to avail you anything. The judicial appointments are a great way to start building the faith of your base again. Recess appointments. No one can stop you. Just do it. Just do SOMETHING other than watered-down half measures that are not only ineffective, and are hated by everyone.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rory talbot
Former Dem but they r now wing of Corp. party
505 Fans
03:50 PM on 08/31/2010
Don't worry GOP. Don't worry Wall Street. Don't worry predatory lenders and collection agencies. Don't worry CEOs. Obama, the gut|ess wonder, will never do recess appointments of judges that would restrain your unfettered power.
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AMERIKA
Husband, Parent, Sibling, Business Owner, Progress
416 Fans
03:23 PM on 08/31/2010
The right wing has adopted a successful long term strategy to shift the laws of the nation to the right. Nominate right wing nut jobs when in power and oppose the Dem nominees at all short term cost. The result? A partially filled bench composed of right wing freaks and a SCOTUS that is among the most right wing in history.
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Pie7
82 Fans
01:03 PM on 08/31/2010
Good!
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healthcarenow
RN 4 blue Arizona
1170 Fans
12:30 PM on 08/31/2010
"Justice delayed is justice denied"....indeed!
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dpooch
554 Fans
12:23 PM on 08/31/2010
They just do not just pray the nation to fail. They are making sure it does. Well if they get what they want in November pay backs should be hell. The real Americans at work.
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wdw505
236 Fans
12:32 PM on 08/31/2010
good........we will see
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Grunty1
Micro-bio this
2249 Fans
01:42 PM on 08/31/2010
[They just do not just pray the nation to fail]

[Good]

Enough said about you.
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paixa3
84 Fans
12:17 PM on 08/31/2010
I blame your president for not being smart enough to have recess appointments.

Gawd, your entire country is a pathetic gutless mess.
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Ramitthrough
7 Fans
12:29 PM on 08/31/2010
What country would be "your country"?
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wdw505
236 Fans
12:35 PM on 08/31/2010
agreed for right now your statement is very true..........however as a foreigner you should keep your butt out of our business in the US
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lobear00
256 Fans
11:45 AM on 08/31/2010
Bush put in judges who were beholding to corporations and who would easily take the side of both corporations and the government. One can call these' Republican' Activist persons just that! there are ( 5 ) sitting on the supreme court at this time. Their main goal is to work against the people. And their doing a splendid job so far.
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
BeVeryAfraid
Epistemophobia is treatable my little 0 fan poster
1902 Fans
11:37 AM on 08/31/2010
OT

Why are all of these far right candidates not able to debate the issues? Why are they running away from the cameras?

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/31/campbell-confronts-king/
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release the hounds
128 Fans
03:45 PM on 08/31/2010
Because debating the issues requires understanding them.
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ImpeachBushCheney
183 Fans
11:29 AM on 08/31/2010
Ask yourself whether Republicans could fill the Judicial seats if they were in power. Then replace Harry Reid as Senate leader.
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ImpeachBushCheney
183 Fans
11:27 AM on 08/31/2010
This is why "no mosque" Harry Reid needs to be defeated in Nevada so we can get new leadership in the Senate.
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Jeff1958
What a long strange trip it's been
715 Fans
11:36 AM on 08/31/2010
Not by Sharron Angle!
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paixa3
84 Fans
12:18 PM on 08/31/2010
BS, by ANY body. Your country needs to completely hit bottom to start the up swing again.

You may as well get it over with earlier than later.
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LittleMittens
209 Fans
11:26 AM on 08/31/2010
Conservatwits hate to work. Love to make money, but hate to work...
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
mixpiklix
211 Fans
11:05 AM on 08/31/2010
the rules in congress need to be changed bad and not by congress
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Schoolgirl666
534 Fans
11:03 AM on 08/31/2010
Stop wasting time. In order to be fair to the accused or plaintiff, have them use a MAGIC 8 BALL.
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gman87
163 Fans
10:58 AM on 08/31/2010
Pat Leahy blocked many judicial nominations during the latter part of GWB's second term to "run out the clock". You reap what you sow.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
drumz
Those little red panties they pass the test
1803 Fans
11:24 AM on 08/31/2010
You're talking about one guy! Your whole party is blocking! And you don't see the difference? Holy cow!!!
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