Tom Cole: “I came because I was compelled, listening to the debate and having watched the debate over many days, to express my…”

“I came because I was compelled, listening to the debate and having watched the debate over many days, to express my solidarity and my sentiments about the great injustice that I feel is being done here. This is the ultimate expression of politics over principle. And what kind of principles are at stake? The principle first of merit. There is no question about Miguel Estrada's merit. He is a jurist of outstanding quality and a lawyer of distinguished accomplishment, someone who Members of both parties have recognized for his individual brilliance. This is a triumph over the principle of diversity. It is a good thing in a diverse country to have a diverse bench, to have people of different backgrounds, with a common faith and belief in this country but representing different cultural and different racial and different ethnic traditions to occupy important positions. It is the triumph of politics over the principle ultimately of fair play, the most fundamental American principle of all, the right to have a vote, the right to be heard, the right for a decision to be made.”