Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Fifth Circuit Nomination of Leslie Southwick
This afternoon, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Leslie Southwick to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The nomination -- which has proven controversial on account of Judge Southwick's record in civil rights cases and others pitting individuals against corporations -- will now face the full Senate.
According to Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Committee's decision is "a slap in the face to African Americans and all people of good will. It belies the committee’s commitment to equal justice under the law and makes a mockery of the judicial confirmation process." Ralph Neas of People for the American Way said "It is incomprehensible that someone with such a disturbing legal record is being pushed toward confirmation. That’s not what Americans voted for . . . ."
Written By:Spencer On August 2, 2007 7:45 PM Written By:Stan On August 2, 2007 8:12 PM
"According to Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the Committee's decision is 'a slap in the face to African Americans and all people of good will...'"
Well, if the head of an activist group said that Southwick seemed generally ok, the GOP would use it as an endorsement. If he said something more substantive and less histrionic, he probably wouldn't be quoted in the newspaper.
Stuart Taylor has the best take on the Southwick nomination.
http://nationaljournal.com/taylor.htm (July 30, 2007, "Shortsighted on Judges")
A few honest questions: How is Southwick's record controversial? Who created this controversy? It seems to me he has a sterling record. Does it worry ACS that the next Democratic president's nominees will be treated poorly too?