Johnny Isakson: “I commend Senator Domenici for his remarks and for his service and commitment to the Senate and the United States. In…”

“I commend Senator Domenici for his remarks and for his service and commitment to the Senate and the United States. In some ways--I didn't plan it this way--it is kind of appropriate that he would speak and that I would follow. Senator Domenici has served this country in a long and distinguished career. He has been in this Senate for many years. You can tell by his thoughtful remarks he cares passionately about his traditions and about the responsibilities we have. I care deeply, too, but I am a new guy. I just got here. I didn't hear those speeches he quoted. I have read them, and I have heard a lot of speeches. I come from a little bit of a different perspective. For a few minutes, I would like to tell you my opinion on the question of judicial confirmations and how I arrived at that. For, you see, although I address you as a Senator at this moment, the foundation of my beliefs is grounded in the preceding 2 years when I was a candidate for the Senate. Beginning in January of 2002, the 108th Congress convened, and I was an announced candidate for this Senate seat. Shortly into that session, something changed in America--or at least changed here--because the holdup of judges for days counted, like Senator Domenici just recited, began to take place and the filibuster began to be used in a way it had never been used in the United States before. As a candidate for the Senate, I was asked by members of the media, constituents, and Rotary and Kiwanis clubs: Mr.…”