As I write this column, a dramatic debate is taking place in the U.S. Senate chamber.
The “Justice for Judges” debate initiated by Republicans began Wednesday evening as a last-ditch effort to compel filibustering Senate Democrats to allow a vote on four of President Bush’s judicial nominees.
Democrats have refused to allow a vote on these four well-qualified nominees largely because they embrace a Judeo-Christian perspective in their personal lives. It’s important to note that several other Bush nominees face potential filibustering by Democrats in the near future. This type of filibuster has never before taken place in the Senate.
During the Senate debate, Democrats have used phrases such as “fair and balanced,” “political mainstream,” and “an independent judiciary,” but it is painfully clear that the Democrats are adamant in refusing a vote on the nominations of individuals who do not tow the traditional Democrat line – because of their religious faith – on abortion rights. The legal merits of these individuals have been completely ignored.
Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., noted on Thursday morning that there is a “double standard being imposed by Democrats” against these very competent justices.
The reason for the filibuster is obvious. It is a precursor to the likely Supreme Court nomination process that the next president will likely face. If President Bush wins re-election – which appears quite likely considering his meager opposition – Senate Democrats want to send a clear message that they will not accept a future U.S. Supreme Court nomination that has deeply held religious beliefs, specifically on abortion.
That’s a frightening proposition. In essence, the Democrats are saying, evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics need not apply for judicial posts. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., called this notion “religious McCarthyism” on Thursday, but I believe the charge is appropriate.
The action by the Democrats is stark partisanism – and ultimately religious persecution – at its ugliest.
On the Senate floor, Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., specifically noted that the Democrats have established a “litmus test” to defy appellate nominations holding personal religious beliefs that counter the political agenda of the Democrats.
Mr. Gregg said he could actually sign on to a litmus test that determined whether a nominated justice was honest, fair, intelligent or had proper experience. But he charged that the Democrats’ “fundamentally wrong” litmus test says that if a justice has an individual belief that contradicts Democrat standards on issues like abortion, he/she will be stringently opposed.
Sen. Gregg said that under this type of philosophy it is likely that every judicial nominee who subscribes to the Judeo-Christian faith – even though they have made it clear that these views do not affect their judicial decisions – will not be confirmed.
Sen. Gregg called this “extreme prejudice.”
Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., also identified the “secularization of America” that is involved in this action.
I fully agree with these men.
It is glaringly clear that the Democrats have drawn a line in the sand that is designed to tell President Bush that no religious conservatives will be accepted by their party. This political war will be even uglier if President Bush has the opportunity to appoint a conservative Catholic, evangelical Christian or pro-life Jew to the U.S. Supreme Court.
I pray that he has the chance to do just that … several times.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has charged that “only a far-right, extremist militant” would make the charges I’ve made in this column and that a few senators have made on the Senate floor.
But Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., hardly a member of the alleged vast right-wing conspiracy, thankfully arose to challenge Mr. Schumer’s wild accusation, noting that he believes the four nominees deserve the respect of a Senate vote.
I encourage readers who have senators who have opposed a vote for President Bush’s qualified nominees to contact them via e-mail today. Considerately encourage them to allow a vote for the four nominees. You may find your senators’ e-mail addresses by visiting this site.
