At 76, maybe Sen. Patrick Leahy’s getting forgetful. Or more likely, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has become even more calculating with age. Either possibility might explain his recent attacks on Sen. Jeff Sessions, the Alabama nominee for attorney general who Leahy used to love.
Sure, Leahy voted against Sessions when Reagan nominated him for a federal judgeship. But for almost two decades after, the two were always cordial, striking up what might count as a friendship. But now that Sessions is up for a promotion, Leahy’s gone sour.
Ahead of Sessions’ confirmation hearing, Leahy acts like he’s never worked with the man, wondering aloud in the Boston Globe whether his colleague is even capable of protecting the “survivors of sexual assault and hate crimes and religious liberty.” Then after briefly promising careful consideration of the nominee, Leahy labels Sessions an extremist.
But that assessment seems out of character for the elder statesman. Perhaps the Vermont senator’s still reeling from his party’s loss on Election Day. Because when Leahy chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, he counted Sessions as an absolute asset.
A much more complimentary Leahy had warm words for his Alabama colleague in 2009 when the Judiciary Committee considered Eric Holder’s nomination for attorney general. Sen. Sessions is here,” he said warmly, “of course, Sen. Sessions is also a former U.S. attorney and knows what one goes through in that regard, and we’ve relied on him for that experience.” Together, the pair advanced Obama’s nominee out of committee before voting for him on the floor.
Hardly an isolated incident, the congressional record’s full of moments of civility and cooperation between the two.
When Sessions came to the Senate in 1997, Leahy was one of the first to welcome the Alabama freshman. At the time the Democrat said he shared a “special affection” for prosecutors like Sessions and added that he “looks forward to working with him.” Thirteen years and three presidents later, none of that enthusiasm had waned. In 2010, Leahy described his colleague as someone “wonderful to work with.”
Sadly, that friendship’s been forgotten, perhaps the result of willful political amnesia. One wonders if Leahy will even recognize Sessions during tomorrow’s confirmation hearing.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
