Orrin Hatch: “I also have to correct the record because there has never been a true filibuster against President Clinton's nominees or…”

“I also have to correct the record because there has never been a true filibuster against President Clinton's nominees or any other Democrat President's nominees--never. There have been cloture votes. In most of the cloture votes, those were time management approaches. Yes, we had a few people over here who wanted to filibuster, but we were able to stop them. There was no case--none, zero, nada, not ever--where a Democrat nominee who was brought to the floor was not ultimately voted on up or down--never--until this year with Estrada and now Priscilla Owen, and I presume, from what you have said, perhaps Judge Pickering. My contention is this. I know the distinguished Senator from New York is a good lawyer. He is a good friend. I value his friendship. But the fact is, I think there is much merit in having healthy debate, raising the difficulties you have with a judge, but then having a vote up or down. Vote whichever way you want to, for or against. But it is unseemly to start clogging up the Senate with true filibusters for the purpose of trying to stop these people from having a vote up or down. That was never done, not at any time during my tenure as chairman, and I made sure it wasn't done because I don't believe that is constitutionally a sound thing to do.”