Reply #14: Hmm

[4themind]

The ballot box? Can you explain what you mean by that? I do know that these positions are not directly chosen at the ballot box, even though the person who wants to appoint them is (the president). Additionally, the senate has an independent advisory and consent consent role( for cabinet appointments if your critique extends to this group as well) . One could argue that since the senate has the power to "vet" it makes sense to do his own "vetting" to try and predict what any concerns might be. This would not only save himself from personal embarrassment, but it would mean less legislative time devoted to these hearings (& taken away from other things) if his vetting takes care of the questions that the committee may have had. I guess I'd need to know more about what you mean by public record, and why that is sufficient(if that's an accurate representation of your position). A potential judge's views on abortion may not be a part of "public record" does that mean that it should not be a question that should be considered? Again, assuming that your critique extends to cabinet appointments (or future judicial appointments etc.)