U.S. Senator Ken Salazar is speaking out against the Focus on the Family campaign against several senators, according to the Rocky Mountain News [April 21, 2005, "Salazar slams Focus"]. From the article, "There has been heated rhetoric from all sides this month, as Senate Republicans threaten to seek rule changes giving all judicial nominees a right to an up-or-down vote. As things stand, the minority party can use filibuster procedures to delay an appointment indefinitely unless there are 60 votes to proceed. If Republicans change the rules, Democrats say, they might bring other legislative work to a standstill. At a press conference with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Salazar said it was wrong for Republicans to end rules that have worked in the U.S. Senate for two centuries. Democrats called it the 'nuclear option' because they consider it so drastic."
Mike Littwin looks at the intersection of politics and religion in his column in today's Rocky Mountain News [April 21, 2005, "Littwin: Bible story: Senate debate an abomination"]. He writes, "He wasn't alone. Sixteen hundred miles away, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar felt the need to speak, too. He and Joe Lieberman held a news conference - the viva-chutzpah caucus, Lieberman called it - at which Salazar called out Focus on the Family, the Colorado Springs ministry with its own political arm. That arm has got reach, too, and it's getting longer every day. It has been jabbing Salazar and other senators on the issue of judicial nominees and filibusters. I'm not sure how exactly, but a no-filibusters-on-judges doctrine has become the religious right's 11th Commandment."
Stygius: "Will White House withdraw Bolton?"
Here's a story from the AP via the Rocky Mountain News about the Bolton nomination [April 21, 2005, "Senators seek CIA information on Bolton"]. From the article, "The White House vigorously defended Bolton on Wednesday and predicted he will be confirmed as U.N. ambassador despite cracks in support from Republican senators concerned that Bolton has a short fuse and a pattern of mistreating co-workers. The White House also offered to arrange private meetings between Bolton and any wavering Republicans. There was no indication that Bolton might withdraw."
Category: 2004 Presidential Transition
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