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Friday, November 20, 2009
Ind. Courts - "Hamilton qualified to judge"
That is the headline to this editorial today in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Some quotes:
Congress’ approval of a Hoosier judge to the federal appeals court is a welcome, if belated, triumph of good government over partisan sniping.Sen. Richard Lugar, rightly and courageously, bucked his party leadership and stood up for U.S. District Judge David Hamilton. The Republican senator, known for his intelligence and willingness to support what is right – rather than blindly support his party – dissected arguments against Hamilton in an 18-minute speech before the Senate on Monday.
Perhaps partly because of the respect Lugar holds among the Senate, nine other GOP senators joined him in a 70-29 vote Tuesday to end the filibuster and open the door – finally – to his confirmation on Thursday.
The effort to block the nomination of Hamilton to the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago had little to do with qualifications and ability. Instead, the filibuster was because of the opponents’ partisanship, conservative ideology and hopes of slowing President Obama’s efforts to fill desperately needed federal judgeships. It is no coincidence that Hamilton was Obama’s first nominee to the court of appeals. * * *
Of Obama’s 26 judicial nominations, only five have been confirmed. Hamilton is a well qualified, moderate judge, and his confirmation was long overdue. With luck, senators will now allow Obama to replenish the vacant judicial seats.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 20, 2009 08:30 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts