Pete Domenici: “I do not have a New York Times to quote, but I think I am a lot more fortunate because I have two New Mexico papers…”

“I do not have a New York Times to quote, but I think I am a lot more fortunate because I have two New Mexico papers, important papers in my State, to quote. I do not have to use them to change the subject. I will quote from a couple of our New Mexico papers on the issue of the nominations, the nominating process, and what has happened to that process in the last couple of years. Let me first quote from our largest newspaper, the Albuquerque Journal. It says in its headline: ``End Filibuster, Put Court Nominee to Vote.'' And then it says: What the Colt revolver was on the dusty streets of the Old West, the filibuster is on the floor of the U.S. Senate: The great equalizer gives 41 senators the ability to bring the chamber's business to a halt. The tactic should be unholstered only on issues of high principle or grave importance. Considering the issues currently confronting Washington, the judicial nomination-- In this paper it is referring to Miguel Estrada when it says: The judicial nomination of Miguel Estrada does not rise above partisan wrangling. To block a vote on his appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is an abuse of the filibuster.”