Related: Sunday Globe Special: Courting the Senate
"Blocked by GOP, Obama withdraws court nomination" Associated Press, March 23, 2013
WASHINGTON — President Obama withdrew his nomination of Caitlin Halligan to a federal appeals court Friday, handing a victory to Republicans in the Senate who twice blocked his pick for the key judicial post.
Calling the obstruction by Republicans unjustified and unacceptable, Obama said he agreed to Halligan’s request to be pulled from consideration even though she would have served with distinction on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
‘‘I am deeply disappointed that even after nearly two and a half years, a minority of senators continued to block a simple up-or-down vote on her nomination,’’ Obama said in a statement the White House issued while he was traveling in Jordan.
Senate Republicans blocked Halligan’s confirmation for a second time in early March, arguing that Halligan is too liberal and citing her work on lawsuits against gun manufacturers and on behalf of illegal immigrants.
The Washington appeals court and its makeup are of critical importance to the president, with oversight of many of the actions his administration takes. The court handles challenges to most federal rulemaking and oversees federal agencies based in Washington.
It’s also something of a pipeline to the Supreme Court. Four of the nine Supreme Court justices served on the D.C. Circuit before being confirmed to the higher court.
Halligan was nominated to fill the position that John Roberts vacated when he became chief justice. There are four vacancies on the court, with judges nominated by Republican presidents holding a 4-3 majority.
Halligan’s nomination has been a flashpoint for Obama and Republicans since 2010, when Obama first tapped her and Republicans first intervened, using a procedural maneuver to prevent a vote on her confirmation. Obama renominated her at the start of 2013, but her confirmation again fell victim to GOP opposition in early March. Although a majority of senators, 51, supported Halligan’s nomination, Democrats needed 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to get it past Republican objections.
And what do presidents do when they become upset? They act like dictators.
5 sites selected to become national monuments
WASHINGTON — President Obama is designating five new national monuments, using executive authority to protect historic or ecologically significant sites....
The White House said Obama would make the designations Monday, using the century-old Antiquities Act to protect unique natural and historic landmarks....
Yeah, yeah, I know it all sounds great. I've just had it with this president and the true lack of change -- or, more precisely, change in the wrong direction. Furthermore, I don't believe in executive authority. I don't see it in the Constitution, and if Congress hasn't signed on to it I consider it unconstitutional no matter what it is. He is supposed to execute the law, not make the law.
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