I have heard innumerable calls imploring individuals to come out and protest President Barack Obama for this that and the other thing, this is all part of the Democratic process, and it is understood. But, I have yet to see a concerted effort by Democrats to amass a protest against the Republicans stated goal and continued effort to block and hinder the progress of this nation in order that they may destroy the Presidency of Barack Obama. Not a single call. We have all seen the hostage taking by the Tea Party-Republicans and we have heard the frustration by some members of Congress like Senator Charles Schumer who said this a number of weeks ago:
We need to start asking ourselves an uncomfortable questions -- are Republicans slowing down the recovery on purpose for political gain in 2012? Senator McConnell made it clear last October that his number one priority, above everything else, is to defeat President Obama. And now it is becoming clear that insisting on a slash-and-burn approach may be part of this plan -- it has a double-benefit for Republicans: it is ideologically tidy and it undermines the economic recovery, which they think only helps them in 2012…. Republicans find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place, between their ideology and the reality…IF THE PUBLIC COMES TO BELIEVE THAT REPUBLICANS ARE DELIBERATELY SABOTAGING THE ECONOMY, IT WILL BACKFIRE POLITICALLY.
Unfortunately, Mr. Schumer, many have seen and understood for sometime what the Republicans are up to, as it relates to the economy, but some would rather sit back and criticize the President for not being able to do more. And not only on the economy, a glance at the President’s judicial appointments reveals the Republicans busy at work blocking and delaying the President’s appointments. As the White House was quick to point out by illustrating an article from the Washington Post recently in an overall report on the confirmational delays of the President's judicial appointments:
Unfortunately, the delays these nominees are encountering on Capitol Hill are equally unprecedented: earlier this month, the Senate left for its August recess without considering 20 eminently qualified candidates, 16 of whom had passed through the bipartisan Senate Judiciary Committee completely unopposed, a development the Washington Post called not only frustrating but also destructive….
Here is a historical look at this process where, according to the President:
A minority of Senators has systematically and irresponsibly used procedural maneuvers to block or delay confirmation votes or judicial nominees.
Following debate on judicial appointments, the Senate votes on the nomination. Confirmation requires a simple majority of the Senators Present and voting.
Average Wait Time between Judiciary Committee Vote and Confirmation in Comparison to George W. Bush:
Circuit Court Candidates:
Obama: 159 days; Bush 29 days
District Court Candidates:
Obama 103 days; Bush 20 days
Delays in Senate Confirmation in Comparison to Other Presidents:
Carter: 92.8%
Reagan: 93.3%
Bush (first): 77.9%
Clinton: 84.2%
Bush (second): 86.8%
Obama: 62.6% (Why? Why is Barack Obama receiving the lowest turn around on his appointments?)
I know there are individuals who say they are a part of the Democratic Party who will scoff at this and maintain that it is Barack Obama who is at fault, why should we protest Republicans? I suppose this may be because this President has done so little in creating a judicial pool that happens to look like America?
Of the number of the President’s judges confirmed thus far, here is a look at their makeup in comparison to other Presidents:
Women: Obama 47%, Bush 23%, Clinton 29%
African Americans: Obama 21%, Bush 7%, Clinton 16%
Hispanics: Obama 11%, Bush 9%, Clinton 7%
Asian Americans: Obama 7%, Bush 1%, Clinton 1%
Keep in mind that these are only the number of individuals who have been confirmed.
Here are some judicial firsts under this President:
1st Latina on the Supreme Court
1st Openly Gay man confirmed to a Federal district court
1st Women nominees of Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese descent
President Barack Obama has doubled the number of Asian-Americans on the bench, including the only active Asian-American Circuit Court judge.
If confirmed, the President will have the only Native American on the bench.
And of 4 openly Gay judges nominated, 1 has been confirmed.
This from the White House:
Americans deserve fair and timely judicial proceedings but the rising number of judicial vacancies hurts families and businesses by delaying critical court proceeding and increasing costs, adding uncertainty squeezing family budgets and preventing businesses from investing and creating jobs.
This President is being blocked like no other President in history, from the filibustering of his policies, to the blocking and hindering of his appointees and comparative to the criticism he receives by the media and some who are part of his own party, on a daily basis, the criticism and outrage directed toward the Republicans, based on their level of destructive activism, is shockingly wanting. Where are the Democrats marching against the delay tactics, obstructionism, and the crippling of the government by Republicans? There are none….