In an editorial published in the People’s Defender Congresswoman Jean Schmidt critiques Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid for not showing the proper deference to President Bush in approving John Roberts for the Supreme Court:

While I believe that each member of the Senate has a responsibility to vote his or her conscious on each Supreme Court nominee, I don’t believe that such a vote should ever be an opportunity for political gain.

That is why I was troubled by the Senate Minority Leader’s recent comments suggesting that President Bush is not entitled to much deference in staffing the judiciary branch. Such damaging language signals a major change in the history of the Congress. The Senator’s words will not only lead to a bitter and polar environment, but will also set a bad precedent for future appointments.

Let’s hope the Senate can work together to preserve the integrity of the nomination process, and keep politics out of it. The American people deserve no less.


I’ve always got to laugh when a politician complains about other politicians doing things for political gain. We’ll have to ask Hill watchers if Ms. Schmidt is still wearing the buttons she wore during her recent campaign.

Let’s get the logic: Candidates don’t have to answer Senator’s questions… Senators aren’t supposed to vote against the President even though they know little about the nominee… I’m not exactly sure what role Congresswoman Schmidt sees for the Senate except as a rubber stamp for the President.

All we can say is… give em’ hell, Harry.