Why would Maryland?s U.S. Senators oppose this one? On the face of it, their objections make no sense, especially in a real “judicial emergency.”
President Bush cited that when nominating Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein to fill the seven-year vacancy on the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
If the job?s been open for seven years, why not eliminate it? Because this bench soon will have no bench. The court lost three more judges in the last year, leaving five of the 15 seats vacant. Several more judges are eligible for retirement next year. Delayed justice is denied justice.
Support Rosenstein. In less than three years the office he took in shambles after the bizarre resignation of Thomas DiBiagio ? who now says he was forced out for political reasons ? turned in a respectable performance, including the sentencing last week of former state Sen. Thomas Bromwell on corruption charges.
No one can argue Rosenstein, 42, of Montgomery County, doesn?t have brains for the job. He graduated summa cum laude from Wharton School of Business and cum laude from Harvard Law. Sure, he is a Republican. But he is no ideologue. He has significant support from key state Democrats.
Nor can the Senators argue he doesn?t know Maryland. He?s lived here for 10 years, more than seven of them as an assistant U.S. attorney or U.S. attorney. He sits on the boards of two state legal associations and two Baltimore area anti-crime councils. And he teaches at the University of Maryland School of Law.
So, what?s the problem senators? Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin cite the good job he?s doing as reason No. 1. “He plays a vital role in fighting crime,” Mikulski said. That may true, but it is no reason to keep him off the bench.
No. 2, said our senior senator, is the “twilight” of Bush, and his “mismanagement” of the Justice Department. “We cannot risk another vacancy,” she said. The real question is: Can we risk another vacancy in the Fourth Circuit?
Well, this administration?s twilight has a long 14 months to set. And no matter how anybody feels about this justice department, we can rest assured recent scrutiny will bring scrupulous nominations now.
Finally, Cardin cites code words about Rosenstein?s Maryland roots, as in MontCo is not really part of Maryland. Check a map. It is.
Come on senators: Do our state a favor. Compromise. Practice the art of the possible. Expedite putting Rosenstein on the bench and a solid career U.S. attorney in his place.
