Would someone tell this arrogant woman that President Bush won the elections of 2000 and 2004 – and that there is no constitutional basis for his blocking the nomination of a judge out of a fit of pique.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California announced Wednesday she will block the nomination of an Idaho judge to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals because she contends the seat should go to someone from California.

Feinstein, a Democrat, made the announcement during 6th District Judge Randy Smith's nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington.

Smith was picked by President Bush in December to replace Judge Stephen Trott, who moved to Idaho from California after his appointment to the court in 1988. Trott declared senior status in December 2004, meaning he will take a much lighter caseload. Since then, Idaho has not had an active judge on the court.

Feinstein and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said the seat should go to a California judge because tradition holds that judgeships remain in the same state. They have been protesting since last March after they learned the seat was promised to Idaho.

"To allow a judge's personal choice of where to live to change the allocation of future Court of Appeals sets a dangerous precedent," Feinstein told the Judiciary Committee. "As this nomination ignores the judicial needs of the 9th Circuit and the state of California, I must oppose it, and I intend to place a hold upon this nomination."

In other words, Dianne Feinstein believes that Idaho is not entitled to any judges on the 9th Circuit – California is just too important. It is time to go nuclear on this nomination, as it is the clearest case of obstructionism for the sake of obstructionism.

Oh, and by the way – no more nominees from California. Fill every California judgeship with out-of-staters. After all, payback is a bitch -- and so is Senator Feinstein.

MORE AT Sensible Mom, Idaho Times, Idaho Examiner, Confirm Them

Posted by: Greg at 03:17 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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