Orrin Hatch: “I will answer some of the questions that have been raised. The more I hear from some of my colleagues, I believe they…”

“I will answer some of the questions that have been raised. The more I hear from some of my colleagues, I believe they believe the Clinton nominees, President Clinton's nominees were mistreated. The more I hear them say this, the more I believe, especially after listening to the distinguished Senator from Iowa, that what we are seeing here on Mr. Estrada, the filibuster is more about pay back than about Mr. Estrada. Senator Boxer, the distinguished Senator from California, even said as much last week when they said, ``What goes around comes around.'' Let me take a minute or two to set the record straight. I have heard my colleague from Iowa say we Republicans are applying a double standard because some Clinton nominees, such as Bonnie Campbell, were not confirmed. Let me remind my friend that there were more nominees of the first President Bush--54--who were not confirmed than there were Clinton nominees not confirmed at the end of his administration. Two of these nominations were renominated by the current President Bush, John Roberts and Terrence Boyle. John Roberts for Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Terrence Boyle for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. John Roberts was reported out of the committee last week with bipartisan support. He has been sitting here for 12 years through three nominations by two different Presidents.”