Senator Orrin Hatch called on the Senate this week to vote on Judge Leslie Southwick.

The American Bar Association has rated Judge Southwick higher for his appointment to the appeals court than they did for his appointment to the district court. It makes no sense to me, but I suppose there might be someone somewhere who thinks that a higher rating justifies more opposition.

The higher rating means Judge Southwick gets even higher marks from the ABA for his compassion, open-mindedness, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice.

If someone can explain how that makes him less qualified for the federal bench, I would like to hear it. Unlike many Clinton nominees who did not receive hearings, Mr. President, Judge Southwick has the strong support of both of his home-state Senators.

The Senators from Mississippi, Senators Cochran and Lott, are senior and highly respected members of this body. Their support ought to mean something.

I have no doubt that if these two fine Senators objected to Judge Southwick receiving an up or down vote, the Democratic controlled Senate would certainly grant them this courtesy and prevent him from a vote. However, for Judge Southwick, this deference to esteemed home state Senators is a one way street.

Both Mississippi Senators have been working with President Bush to fill this same seat for more than five years, and I think they deserve our respect and support just like we would seek theirs if the situation were reversed.

In the last few years of the Clinton administration, a Republican Senate confirmed a string of highly controversial appeals court nominees who nonetheless had the backing of their home state Senators. I supported them and today I urge my colleagues to do the same for our colleagues from Mississippi and for Judge Southwick.

--Statement of Senator Orrin G. Hatch
Before the United States Senate
Regarding the Nomination of Leslie Southwick
July 30, 2007

# posted by Jessica Smith @ 11:40 AM