Jeremiah Smith: “let me briefly discuss the other nominee, Marsha Berzon. I think we have made a pretty overwhelming and compelling case…”

“let me briefly discuss the other nominee, Marsha Berzon. I think we have made a pretty overwhelming and compelling case about the Ninth Circuit itself being out of touch in having almost 90 percent of its cases overturned, as the chart in the back shows. And we are adding two more judges to that court, if they are approved, who are basically going to also, obviously, have cases overturned if they follow along the lines we are talking about. When I think of all the judges who are qualified, whatever their political philosophy, if they are qualified to be a circuit court judge, why do we pick a judge who opposes having somebody carry a Bible into the courtroom? Because he is afraid somehow that is going to ruin the whole judicial process and somehow threaten the Constitution or the liberties of the United States of America? It doesn't make sense. It really, in my view, says a lot about the nominee. We have approved many Clinton nominees who have come through this Senate. I voted for a lot of them myself. Some of them went through even without a challenge. But I think when you start talking about people who are this extreme, this is a mistake. I believe it is a mistake we will regret.”