John Orr: 2004 Presidential Election

? for President?

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 23:33:29 GMT

Here's the link to the Federal Elections 2006: Election Results for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Thanks to Political Wire for the link. They write, "The Federal Election Commission's book of 2006 election returns, Federal Elections 2006, has been released and is available free by calling the FEC at 800-424-9530. The new guide is more in depth than any previous FEC publication of returns and features several illustrative maps. Of course, you can also download it from the agency's website."

Political Wire: "A new New York Times/CBS News poll finds Rudy Giuliani leading the Republican presidential race with 27%, followed by Fred Thompson at 22%, Sen. John McCain at 18% and Mitt Romney at 14%. Last month, Giuliani held a 20-point lead over Thompson, who had not officially declared his candidacy yet. On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads with 44%, trailed by Sen. Barack Obama at 26% and John Edwards at 17%."

Category: Denver November 2006 Election

Harriet Miers for Supremes?

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 13:11:56 GMT

Here's a post from The Moderate Voice about the Miers nomination. Mr. Gandleman writes, "President George Bush's nomination of his lawyer Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court is now turning out to require a sales job that may not necessarily require an emergency visit by super salesman Zig Zigler - but all the King's horses and all the King's men may not be able to put George Bush's agenda and trust from some factions of his party together again."

Stygius writes, "If more than a handful of Republican senators oppose Miers, every Democrat in the Senate should join them -- in the expectation that even if they do for whatever reason find Miers palatable, the next nominee will be more so, while Democratic power in Congress will be solidified in the face of upcoming elections. This was something politically impossible with the Roberts nomination. With Miers, it now borders on the politically imperative."

Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Harriet Miers for Supremes?

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 02:26:42 GMT

Denver's own Jeralyn Merritt (TalkLeft) weighs in on Harriet Miers appointment. Here's a Coyote Gulch post from last year when Ms. Miers was appointed to replace Alberto Gonzales."

Category: 2004 Presidential Election

Harriet Miers for Supremes?

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 13:16:49 GMT

What do you think of Harriet Miers nomination? Here's a short post from Opinions You Should Have. Mr. Burka writes, "Bush nominates actual blank slate to Supreme Court."

Bull Moose: "The Moose is enjoying himself like a hog in slop."

Category: 2004 Presidential Transistion

Harriet Miers for Supremes?

Tue, 04 Oct 2005 00:23:39 GMT

You gotta love the Internet. The Daily Kos has the image of a questionnaire signed by Harriet Miers. Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Harriet Miers for Supremes?

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 12:55:49 GMT

Blogs for Bush is reporting that President Bush has name Harriet Miers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Chief Justice Roberts from the East Room

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 01:42:13 GMT

Here's the transcript of Chief Justice Roberts remarks from the East Room. Thanks to Blogs for Bush for the link.

Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Salazar to support John Roberts

Mon, 26 Sep 2005 01:22:13 GMT

Colorado Pols is running a statement from U.S. Senator Ken Salazar's office. Salazar intends to support John Roberts. Salazar writes, "In the West, you take people at their word. Based on the word given by Judge John Roberts, I will cast my vote for his confirmation as Chief Justice of the United States." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts for Chief Justice?

Thu, 22 Sep 2005 11:20:30 GMT

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote today on the nomination of John Roberts as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, according to the Denver Post [September 22, 2005, "13,000 Coloradans petition senators on Roberts"]. From the article, "The Colorado Republican Party says it has collected more than 5,000 signatures backing Roberts and plans to send them next week to Salazar and Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., who supports the nominee...(U.S. Senator) Salazar said Wednesday that he had not decided how he'll vote. He has asked the White House for more records on Roberts' Justice Department work...Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., has no say on the issue. But he urged Senate Democrats on Wednesday to back confirmation." Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News [September 22, 2005, "Salazar unsure on Roberts vote"]. The Denver Post editorial staff is in favor of a Chief Justice John Roberts [September 22, 2005, "Roberts able choice for U.S. chief justice"]. They write, "...during last week's hearings, what we did learn was reassuring. Roberts put himself forward as a practical jurist who would bring an open mind and legal rectitude to his lifetime assignment. We favor Roberts' confirmation and expect he will perform ably on the high court and as chief of the federal judiciary." Bull Moose: "What about consulting the folks who are in the check-out line at Wal-Mart and Target? The American people can only be perplexed by the near Pavlovian opposition to Roberts. How believable will the opposition be if the next nominee is truly a threat to the Republic? There are precious few statesmen and a slew of predictable panderers to parochial partisan interest groups. Democrats might consider trusting the people again." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts for Chief Justice?

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:04:30 GMT

From Political Wire, "John Roberts 'is all but certain to be confirmed as the next chief justice, but the vote involves a host of political calculations for Democrats struggling to satisfy their liberal base and reach out to moderate voters,' the Wall Street Journal reports. Liberal activists are 'near unanimous in opposing Judge Roberts, who they say echoed the pre-appointment positioning of conservative Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. They are pressing Democrats to vote against Judge Roberts to send a message about the party's priorities. Those arguments likely will weigh heavily on Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, who both have presidential ambitions and are trying to juggle the left-leaning voters in the party's primaries with general-election voters, who might favor a more centrist approach.' Meanwhile, Roll Call notes that 'despite announcing his own opposition to confirmation,' Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) declared that Roberts 'would be approved as chief justice of the United States.'" Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Reid to oppose Roberts

Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:16:41 GMT

TalkLeft is reporting that Senator Harry Reid plans to vote against John Roberts. Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts for Chief Justice?

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 13:03:29 GMT

The Bull Moose writes, "Senator Moose would vote to confirm Roberts. "The Moose knew of Judges Bork, Thomas and Scalia, although he was not their friend. And John Roberts is no Bork, Thomas or Scalia. Roberts has shown that he is no originalist extremist. He is apparently respectful of precedent. He has a modestly expansionist view of the commerce clause - he does not view the welfare state as unconstitutional. And he acknowledges a right to privacy. In sum, Roberts is a conventional conservative not a right wing revolutionary jurist." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts' Opening Statement

Mon, 12 Sep 2005 23:58:48 GMT

Here's the link for John Roberts' opening statement today. Thanks to the Daily Kos for the link. Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts for Chief Justice?

Mon, 05 Sep 2005 13:35:20 GMT

TalkLeft is reporting that President Bush has formally nominated John Roberts to be appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. More on Robert's nomination as Chief Justice from The Moderate Voice. They write, "Now the question is going to become: Roberts was acceptable to conservatives as a Supreme Court nominee and his appointment as Chief Justice means conservatives will see the conservative Rehnquist replaced by another consersvative. Does this mean now that Bush has given them someone they feel good about that he can appoint his friend and close associate Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to the court?" Category: 2004 Presidential Election

Roberts

Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:07:17 GMT

John Roberts has received a "well-qualified rating" from the American Bar Association according to The Moderate Voice. Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Bolton

Mon, 01 Aug 2005 23:57:28 GMT

Scott Paul: "It turns out John Bolton is not the first UN Ambassador nominee to consider a recess appointment: in 1999, President Clinton floated the idea of a recess appointment for Richard Holbrooke, one of his UN Ambassador nominees, but Holbrooke refused. No, Bolton has another place in the record books: he is the first nominee to actively campaign for a recess appointment." Update: I credited the wrong author above. Now corrected (originally I credited Steven Clemons). Thanks to Stygius for pointing out my error. Thanks to Stygius for the link. The Moderate Voice: "President George Bush today bypassed the Senate and used a recess appointment to send embattled UN Ambassador nominee to the UN, raising the question: Has George Bush politically 'jumped the shark?'" Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Bolton

Sat, 30 Jul 2005 14:33:04 GMT

TalkLeft: "This just in via e-mail...36 Senate Democrats including all leadership just signed this letter." Josh Marshall: "Well, John Bolton didn't tell the truth on his senate disclosure form. But that won't stop President Bush from sending him to the UN. AP has the story: Bush to make the recess appointment next week." Blogs for Bush: "President Bush is reportedly going to take advantage of the congressional summer recess and appoint John Bolton to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Democrats, trying to make a mountain out of an anthill, are urging Bush to choose someone else instead of Bolton because of Bolton's oversight (which he said he'd correct) on his questionaire. I hope Bush doesn't fold on us because of this stupid little Democrat trick. Appoint Bolton, President Bush... Appoint him!" Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Roberts

Thu, 28 Jul 2005 00:13:49 GMT

Blogs for Bush, staying relentlessly on message, "... the Democrats, completely controlled by the hate-filled left, will stop at nothing to derail the Roberts nomination." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Bolton

Tue, 26 Jul 2005 03:18:51 GMT

Stygius: "President Bush may recess appoint John Bolton as UN Ambassador immediately after the Senate recesses Friday night, the Washington Post is reporting." Blogs for Bush: "Bush May bypass Senate and appoint Bolton." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Bolton

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 23:36:45 GMT

Josh Marshall: "John Bolton, Frank Gaffney and other Black Helicopter Republicans. Prepare to laugh." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

John Roberts for Supreme Court

Thu, 21 Jul 2005 00:12:32 GMT

DemNotes: "First thoughts on Roberts." NewMexiKen: "Questions for Roberts." Blogs for Bush: "While the majority of conservative bloggers are thrilled with Bush's selection of Judge John G. Roberts to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court left by Sandra Day O'Connor, a select few don't share the same enthusiasm, mostly citing the same reason." Sandra Day O'Connor: "He's good in every way, except he's not a woman." Thanks to Political Wire for the link. Bull Moose: "Son of Rehnquist." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

John Roberts for Supreme Court

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 11:48:41 GMT

TalkLeft: "I think it's too soon to start opposing Judge John G. Roberts. Most of us knew nothing about him before tonight. He's only been a Judge for two years. Before that he was deputy solicitor general. The legal arguments he made while working for the Government or as a corporate lawyer may or may not reflect his personal values, or how he would rule as a Supreme Court Justice." The Moderate Voice: "It might be too early to judge John Roberts, but he is, as Wolf Blitzer just said, 'a rock-solid conservative'...Bush could have gone a number of different ways, but this one's clearly for the base." Blogs for Bush: "Associated Press reports, 'President Bush chose federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr. on Tuesday as his first nominee for the Supreme Court, selecting a rock solid conservative whose nomination could trigger a tumultuous battle over the direction of the nation's highest court, senior administration officials said.'" The Rocky Mountain News tracked down Senator Salazar and Senator Allard to get their initial reaction [July 20, 2005, "Colorado senators hint at how they might vote"]. From the article, "Sen. Ken Salazar said he had never heard of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. before Tuesday night, so he's not about to prejudge his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court...Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, said he expects a relatively smooth confirmation, since two years ago the Senate confirmed Roberts to a seat on the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals with no opposition." Juan Cole: "By nominating a man, Bush reduced the number of women on the Supreme Court. Sandra Day O'Connor is no progressive, but she knew what it was like to be locked out of the Old Boys Club, and she ruled in favor of women's issues like affirmative action and reproductive rights." Mt. Virtus: "The President's nomination of John Roberts to fill Justice O'Connor's vacancy on the Supreme Court - the first such change in 11 years - is such an intriguing and momentous development that I thought I'd take a moment to survey what some of the leading bloggers are saying about it. Kind of a snapshot in time." The Moderate Voice: "It has finally begun." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

? for Supremes

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 12:27:51 GMT

TalkLeft: "Bush may announce Supeme Court pick in next few days." The Moderate Voice: "The word has reportedly gone out to conservatives that the message has been 'received' on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales - and Bush's longtime friend will not be the name sent to the Senate as a Supreme Court Justice nominee." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Kourlis or McConnell for Supremes?

Fri, 15 Jul 2005 00:23:30 GMT

The Denver Post looks at Rebecca Love Kourlis and Michael McConnell as possible nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court. Both are westerners with Colorado ties. From the article: McConnell, a University of Utah law professor who serves on the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, is said to be on the White House's "short list" of candidates. Just how short that list is is anybody's guess. "A constitutional scholar, he's well-regarded by conservative activists for his anti-abortion stance and amiable personality. His critics, however, have scoured his previous rulings and writings and worry he'd try tearing down the wall between church and state. "Kourlis' name is new to the game. Sen. Ken Salazar, one of a handful of Democrats approached by the White House to talk about the process, submitted her name for consideration this week. "Appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court in 1995 by Democratic Gov. Roy Romer, Kourlis is a moderate conservative with a reputation for being a consensus-builder. "Kourlis, the daughter of the late Gov. John Love, also served as a district court judge, water judge and practicing attorney after graduating from Stanford law school." Here's a link to prior coverage of Michael McConnell. Ralph's link is broken. I hope that he'll be back online soon. Prior coverage of Rebecca Love Kourlis here and here. Stygius: "Anybody looking for a roundup of MSM-does-Rove articles will be thrilled with Dan Froomkin today. The Wall Street Journal and MSNBC report on their WSJ/NBC poll showing trust in Bush's honesty is plummeting. I wonder if the American public has ever been in a similar situation, where it favored sticking in a war while expressing little confidence in their president's conduct of it." The Moderate Voice: "In a season where virtually every news story seems to have something to do with heightened polarization, it was a refreshing change to read about this seeming olive branch extended by the White House." Category: 2004 Presidential Transition

Bolton

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 00:01:32 GMT

Stygius: "The Washington Post revisits the stalled John Bolton nomination, as the White House again floats the recess appointment balloon, but the meat of the story is news that Bolton wants to use the UN Ambassadorship to influence administration policy, contrary to what the Senate was told this spring." Blogs for Bush replaced their graphic of John Bolton with a nice tribute to London. Category: 2004 Presidential Transition