Candidates Slam Bush on Pickering

[Khephra]

Candidates Slam Bush on Pickering
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 16, 2004


Filed at 7:09 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidates assailed President Bush's decision to bypass Congress and appoint Charles W. Pickering to the federal appeals court, calling it a threat to civil rights and the ``ultimate hypocrisy'' after Bush's visit to the grave site of Martin Luther King Jr.

Democrats had accused the Mississippi judge of supporting segregation as a young man, and pushing anti-abortion and anti-voting rights views as a state lawmaker. Pickering has strongly denied allegations of racial insensitivity.

snip.......

``By appointing Charles Pickering to the court, the Bush administration is continuing its assault on our most fundamental civil rights,'' Clark said in a statement. ``Judge Pickering has an unforgivably dismal record on important civil rights issues.''

snip............

``I think the president's appointment of Charles Pickering to a recess appointment is an ultimate hypocrisy,'' Dean said while campaigning in Iowa. ``Yesterday he went and saluted Dr. King's birthday. Today he appoints a racist to the Supreme Court.''

more...........

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Democrats-Pickering.html

[RaRa]

1. You've gotta admit, the shrub is consistent

Anytime he visits someplace he immediately turns around and screws it. Visits a VA hospital and cuts VA benefits the same day. There are so many instances of this kind of thing that you could really make money betting on who's getting cheated based on whom * first panders to.

[ozymandius]

11. If you remember last year - the same damn thing

On MLK's birthday, the Bush administration filed an amicus brief (on behalf of bigots) in the Michigan affirmative action case. This went under the radar of some people. But the intended effect was, simply, to say, "Fuck you."

[Demonaut]

13. So very true

Lol so very true

[candy331]

2. Well there goes the votes

of the many African Americans that they were seeking this year.
{sarcasm} So much for the wreath laying yesterday. Latino's better not let him make a visit.

[worldgonekrazy]

3. Once again, Dean tells it like it is

Kudos to the other candidates for their comments as well. I just thought Dean's was great because he out and out labeled Pickering a "racist." He just calls 'em as he sees 'em.

[Melodybe]

4. He is a racist slimebag! Haley Barbour is just as bad!

His campaign signs that were up and down every freaking highway in MS said "Keep the Flag, change the Gov." If you forget we have the rebel stars and bars in the top left corner. Plus, my former anthropology professor has a photocopy of Haley's fraternity picture when he was at Ole Miss, underneath the blurb says that the frat is "dedicated to preserving the dignity of the white race." They make me sick!

[beanball]

5. That new judge

will Bush's appointment of Judge Pickering cost him anything?I think not.This country is so screwed up the pimps and hookers will tell the johns how great shrub is and most of the dumb public will buy that bull,people we are on the down slope in America,hate and envy is destroying this former great nation of ours.Wake up before its too late and rid this nation of people like Bush and most of the evil thugs in the republican party.

[TheDalaiMama]

6. I bet the shrub will be out kissing black babies..and putting his arm

around black men and women....he is so predictable....Pickering will be pickled in 1 year...once the Dems get in office..(I predict)
he will be gone..this appointment is only good for 1 year.

dalai

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[0007]

7. Hijacked the party again, 'eh?

[Faygo Kid]

9. Good for the Dems!

This was a slimy move by Bush (typical), but the timing was exceptional, even for him.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Our Dems in Congress can always file Articles of Impeachment

and impeach any recess appointment that Bush makes or has made. Why don't they do that? Even though the GOP majority won't allow them to win, at least our Dems in Congress will be biting back instead of yelping like helpless poodles.

[Jazzgirl]

12. Isn't it interesting that Pickering was appointed now.

He's gonna be there just in time to handle any contested votes in Mississippi when the repukes try to "steal" the next election!

Jazzgirl :shrug:

[pnorman]

14. Somewhere on this Board

I had seen the number of Clinton candidates for various offices (including judgeships) that were either stalled or rejected outright by the Republicans. As I recall, it was vastly larger than the handful that the Democrats had blocked; either this time, or historically.

Another point that I need further information on, is the list of Bush appointments who were "vetted" by the Federalist Society. (Heretofore, the American Bar Association did the initial "vetting", as I recall).

pnorman