Opinion
McConnell on Lieberman and appeals court confirmations
09/04/08 5:19 PM EDT
Quin Hillyer"We certainly would welcome him." So said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, in what amounted to an open invitation to disaffected "Independent-Democrat" Joe Lieberman of Connecticut for Lieberman to switch parties. The question arose because Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has openly speculated about somehow punishing Lieberman for speaking on behalf of his friend John McCain at the Republican National Convention.
"He would be out of sync with most of our members on domestic issues, but frankly we have other members who are," McConnell said, but added that he would fit in well with Republicans on foreign policy and military matters: "He is the last Scoop Jackson Democrat in the Senate."
Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also made a prediction that is sure to frustrate conservative activists: He said he doesn't expect the Senate to confirm even a single new federal appeals court judge before the end of the current Congress.
"It's an appalling record," he said. "My counterpart [Reid] did not keep his word to me that he would at least match the records of previous presidents."
On average, the Senate confirms 17 appellate judges in the last two years of a president's term, with Bill Clinton's 15 confirmed nominees being a low point. "But I expect us to end up with a paltry ten," he said, blaming Democratic obstructionism.
Many observers had expected at least two other confirmations, one in Virginia and one in Pennsylvania, because both seem to enjoy the support of both Republican and Democratic senators from their respective states. McConnell said those expectations are probably over-optimistic. "I will be pleasantly surprised if we do."
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