Political Quotes

“As majority leader, I have not taken the opportunity today to discuss the nomination of Miguel Estrada, although I did have the opportunity to participate in the debate and the discussion that we had earlier this evening. Of course it always on my mind, because the filibuster that is being maintained is very troubling. Well, I wanted to find some time and it is now 1:45 in the morning here in Washington, and this time works for me. As we have heard tonight, the leading obstacle to Miguel Estrada's confirmation are unprecedented requests by the minority of documents written by Mr. Estrada when he worked for the Clinton Reno Justice Department. Well, since we have time, I would like to read at length from a letter just released, this will be the first time anyone has heard this letter to my colleague the Senator from New York from Alberto Gonzales, President Bush's White House Counsel, and like Miguel Estrada, a fine legal mind. The letter is dated February 24, 2003, and it begins: Dear Senator Schumer: Based on your public comments yesterday, I am concerned that you may have inaccurate and incomplete information about Miguel Estrada's qualifications and about the historical practice with respect to judicial confirmations. Therefore, I write to respectfully reiterate and explain our conclusion that you and certain other Senators are applying an unfair double standard--indeed, a series of unfair double standards--to Miguel Estrada.”