Arlen Specter: “It is absolutely chilling to the operation of the Solicitor General's office or the operation of any governmental office…”

“It is absolutely chilling to the operation of the Solicitor General's office or the operation of any governmental office with lawyers working to say their work product, their views, will be subject to review and scrutiny if they are later nominated to some judicial position. I think it boils down to--I will not call the request for the opinions of the Solicitor General's office a red herring; that could be a little too harsh--it certainly is a subterfuge. It is not what they are really looking for. They are looking for an excuse. The news reports today are that the Democrats plan a filibuster. That is the headline: ``Democrats Plan Filibuster on Estrada Nomination.'' If that is so, the Senate is going to come to a grinding halt. If Miguel Estrada cannot be confirmed, then I doubt that anybody can be confirmed. We may be locked in debate on this matter--I heard an estimate of 3 months at lunch; that may be an understatement. I don't think the American people are going to tolerate this. There has been much too much judicial politics. Republicans are as guilty of it as are the Democrats. When President Clinton was in office and Republicans controlled the Senate, nominations were blocked inappropriately. I was prepared to cross party lines where I thought it was justified.…”