October 24, 2005

The argument for Diane Sykes as the post-Miers nominee.

From Jessica McBride:
I don't profess to understand what's going on in Bush's mind nowadays because I still can't wrap my mind around WHAT he was thinking about Miers. But here is why a Diane Sykes candidacy would be a brilliant move for Bush. The more I think about it, the more I think that Diane Sykes has a female John Roberts feel about her.
Read the whole thing! A key point: Diane Sykes is from Wisconsin:
[A] Sykes' nomination puts Wisconsin Democratic Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold in a box. Wisconsin is unique in that we have TWO Democratic senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Both voted for Sykes [for the 7th Circuit appointment]. But they did more than that; they actively pushed her for the federal appeals court. And they were liberally quoted lavishing praise on her, saying they couldn't think of a reason to oppose her and citing the fact that she was so highly qualified blah blah blah. The humorous part is that I didn't believe Kohl and Feingold one bit that they think the Conservative Diane Sykes is the best thing since sliced bread. They just wanted Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle to get an appointment to the state Supreme Court. He appointed Louis Butler, who has solidified a new liberal majority on the court that is responsible for the decision on medical malpractice, among others. But now Kohl and Feingold would be in a box of their own creation. Which is deliciously humorous. What goes around comes around. They deserve it. NO RESERVATIONS about Sykes, both senators said then, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Nice. Many more points are made at the link. You should go there!

10 comments:

Jacob said...

Feingold supported Roberts, even though he disagreed with him ideologically, because he was qualified. Is it really that crazy that he would support Sykes for the same reason? Do we really have to invent elaborate conspiracy theories about him acting in bad faith?

Simon said...

I just blogged about this. I'm reading some of her opinions at the moment, and I can't tell you what a joy it is to be able to READ A DANG PAPER TRAIL! I am not yet convinced that she's our woman, but there are some encouraging signs. She will certainly, however, delight those who visit Article III Groupie's lair, Underneath Their Robes, insofar as, without doubt, The Federal Judiciary gained its new #1 superhotty on July 1st last year.

Brad V said...

Letters in Bottles, assisted by The Appletonian, along with GOP3 scooped McBride on this weeks ago.

JSU said...

Ann, do you know her?

Ann Althouse said...

JSU: I think I've met her briefly, but I'm not sure. I know people who know her.

Stiles said...

How can McBride live in Wisconsin, be an active political observer, and be so clueless about what makes Feingold tick? He's always been of a position that if the President makes a qualified nomination to a Cabinet position or the judiciary, the executive prerogative should receive some deference. In a box? Don't think so. Feingold's a meritocracy kind of guy. Funny how those Rhodes scholars think.

Ann Althouse said...

Stiles: I think Feingold is unusually principled for a politician, but you're overdoing it.

BJK said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
BJK said...

The author raises a number of the points that lead to my putting Judge Sykes's name out there as a candidate for the first O'Connor replacement nomination back in July (on this very blog -- look it up!) Hopefully Congressman Sensenbrenner knows something...

Andy said...

Yikes! Everyone needs to stop throwing partisanship around in regards to the likes of Sykes. Feingold and Kohl would back a good candidate. There's no need for everyone to start throwing up partisan walls. That's why the country is so divided. This isn't the World Series. I'm liberal and would support Sykes if she's nominated.