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January 31, 2006

After All The Hoopla - Alito Is Confirmed

Topics: Political News and commentaries

As surely everyone knows by now, the Senate has confirmed Samuel Alito by a vote of 58-42. Four Democrats (Byrd, Conrad, Johnson, and Ben Nelson) joined 54 Republicans (all but Chafee).

It was objectionable for the Democrats to have changed an understanding of the Senate's "advise and consent" role that has worked reasonably well for 200 years, or so. The new approach will probably produce more mediocre Justices, selected not for their intellect, fairness, or other judging skills, but because they haven't offended anyone. But the process is not irrational, and in some ways it makes more sense than its predecessor in a world where the Court exercises as much power as it now does. In any case, the important thing is to have one set of confirmation rules that applies to both parties. Thanks to the Dems, we now have a new set.
Powerline has more on what was basically a straight party line vote.




Posted by Richard at January 31, 2006 2:35 PM


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