Max Baucus: “with some bemusement, I listen to my good friend from Mississippi. When a vacancy occurred in Montana for a Federal…”

“with some bemusement, I listen to my good friend from Mississippi. When a vacancy occurred in Montana for a Federal district court judge, I saw this as an opportunity to find the best person in the State of Montana for this position. This is one power, one thing that a U.S. Senator can do--that is, to recommend to the President of the United States who the President might, in turn, nominate to a Federal district court judgeship. I took this very, very seriously. I sat down and surveyed the State of Montana to determine who I regarded as the best, the brightest, the most thoughtful persons--Republicans and Democrats, just good thoughtful people--and put together a nominee commission. I called each of them up personally--six, seven, or eight of the best Montana minds and the most thoughtful persons in the State of Montana, Republicans and Democrats--and asked if they would serve. They all said they would love to. I said to each of them, ``I would like you to nominate or recommend to me the best people in our State.'' I said precisely, ``I am not carrying water for any Republicans, any Democrats, liberals or conservatives; it makes no difference. I want the best.'' My commission, my group, then nominated three different people whom they regarded as the best people in Montana to serve in this position as a Federal district court judge. I then sat down with each of the three, interviewed each of the three for hours.…”