Harry Reid: “First, I like President Bush. I certainly disagree with what my friend from Utah has said--that people over here dislike…”

“First, I like President Bush. I certainly disagree with what my friend from Utah has said--that people over here dislike the President. I don't know if that is the case. President Bush is one of the most likable people I have ever met. I don't agree with a significant number of policies that he has enunciated, but that has nothing to do with disliking President Bush. This debate has everything to do with our constitutional prerogative under article II, section 2, of the Constitution that requires Senators to review the judicial nominations sent to us by the President of the United States. We have a right, we have an obligation to do that. I will talk about a number of issues, but the first thing I want to talk about is the fact that cloture or filibusters on judicial nominations are well-established precedents; they have been long-established in this body and are appropriate in the context of Senate's Constitutional responsibility to advise and consent.”