Thomas Daschle: “last night the Senate voted on three judicial nominations. And we voted unanimously--Republicans and Democrats. We voted…”

“last night the Senate voted on three judicial nominations. And we voted unanimously--Republicans and Democrats. We voted unanimously, recognizing that those nominations were very likely ones with which we had perhaps even broad philosophical differences. But we voted. We didn't delay. We had debate. We all had an opportunity to make our evaluation. We came to some conclusion. That is how it should work. That is what our Founding Fathers had envisioned. That is what the distinguished Senator from Minnesota was just alluding to--advise and consent. When it works, there are very few glitches. When it works, Republicans and Democrats can come together and make their best judgment. It worked in this case. Why did it work? It worked in part because these nominees came before the Judiciary Committee and they did their best to answer the questions presented to them. They did their best to offer as much information as they could about their past, about their record, about others' judgments, and about their record. Having presented their information, having made their case, the Judiciary Committee voted, they were passed out of committee, they came to the floor, and the Senate voted. Not one Republican Senator has mentioned that process today. They say that somehow we are abrogating our responsibilities in requesting exactly the same information from Miguel Estrada--not any more but not any less. So this is not a question about disallowing conservative judges.”