Letter: Stalling hurt the Democrats

Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

Patrick Leahy, Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, intentionally prevented nominees from receiving hearings and a full Senate vote. Hundreds of federal judiciary positions remain vacant due to this maneuver.

Now the judges will have an opportunity to withstand scrutiny. Most will survive, some will not. New nominees will replace the discarded and the judicial positions will be filled, helping to relieve the backlog on our courts.

The practice by Sen. Leahy was consistent with the Democratic majority in the Senate. They prevented anything from happening in hopes of discrediting the president. This included stalling the Homeland Security Bill and the attempt to make the tax cuts permanent.

Beginning in January we will have a Republican president, Senate and House (last sweep -- Democrats from 1992-1994). Bush will have the opportunity that Clinton wasted in his first term -- the ability to promote and pass a platform that he believes will help America.

Bush won his dream situation. He will receive his report card in 2004.

KYLE L. TINGLE