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GOP senators question quick action on judicial nominee
By KEN THOMAS
Associated Press
May 8, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans on Wednesday questioned the speedy confirmation process for Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Helene White, who was chosen by President Bush last month as part of a compromise to address several judicial vacancies.

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican, said holding a hearing only weeks after White's nomination ''does not conform with the practices of the committee and is an unusual rush to judgment.''

Specter and other Republicans said they had not been able to thoroughly review her record and noted that the American Bar Association had not had enough time to rate her qualifications. An FBI report and White's questionnaire were only completed late last month.

Bush, in a compromise with Democrats, nominated White on April 15 to serve on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The committee also considered Raymond Kethledge, a Troy, Mich., lawyer who was previously nominated by Bush for another 6th Circuit slot. The two vacancies have been classified judicial emergencies because of the length of their openings.

As part of the deal with Michigan Democrats, the White House withdrew the 6th Circuit nomination of U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy of Detroit and selected him for a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for Michigan's Eastern District.

Specter questioned the timing of the committee's hearing, citing other Bush judicial nominees awaiting consideration. They include Peter Keisler, who served as acting attorney general in the wake of Alberto Gonzales' resignation, to the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and two choices for the 4th Circuit: Judge Robert Conrad of North Carolina and Steve Matthews of South Carolina.

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said they wanted to expedite the hearing because of the judicial emergency on the 6th Circuit and the challenges of confirming past nominees to the Cincinnati-based court.

Even on the White House's Web site, Leahy said, White is described as ''an experienced and highly qualified judge, who is known for her intellect, work ethic and demeanor.'' He said the committee would not vote on the nominations until the ABA ratings were available.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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