Political Quotes

“in this sadly historic era of unprecedented filibusters of judicial nominees, the truth is an unwelcome visitor to those in the minority who seek to deprive President Bush of his constitutional duty to nominate Article III judges. The latest salvo in this increasingly disappointing game is the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee's written statement regarding Thomas M. Hardiman, who was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent on October 22, 2003. The ranking member claims that Mr. Hardiman has ``no judicial experience,'' which is of course not unusual for district court nominees. Although Mr. Hardiman has not stood for election as a State trial court judge in Allegheny County, a county where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a margin of more than 2-1, Mr. Hardiman is not without significant adjudicatory experience. In 1995 the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed Mr. Hardiman as a Hearing Officer to adjudicate cases involving alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct brought by clients against their lawyers. Mr. Hardiman served with distinction in this capacity, on a pro bono basis, until his recent confirmation. In addition, Mr. Hardiman has adjudicated securities cases as an arbitrator under the auspices of the National Association of Securities Dealers.”