Itchin’ for a Fight

Via-Washington Free Beacon

Senators express disapproval of Obama judicial nominees

BY: Andrew Evans


President Barack Obama last week re-nominated 33 individuals to federal benches, several of whom faced stiff resistance when originally nominated.

The judicial nominations come as the president faces stiff confirmation battles for some of his cabinet nominations, including over secretary of defense nominee Chuck Hagel.

The judicial nominations have raised concerns among court-watchers of increased judicial activism and maneuvering for potential Supreme Court vacancies.

“He wants to appoint judges based on their empathy rather than based on their commitment to the law,” said Carrie Severino, chief counsel for the Judicial Crisis Network, a judicial watchdog group.

Severino highlighted Caitlin Halligan’s nomination to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. Citing her stated positions on affirmative action, gun rights, gay rights, and environmental issues, Severino said Halligan “has staked out a position that is well left of the American people.”

Elizabeth Slattery, a legal policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said Halligan is “well outside the mainstream on some pretty controversial issues.” Halligan has also argued against indefinite detention and military tribunals for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Slattery said.

Halligan has been nominated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals several times, with her nomination stalling each time in the Senate. Senate Republicans held up her first nomination over ideological concerns

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