The filibuster is a beloved institution, and it's all Jimmy Stewart's fault. O.k., Frank Capra's. But what these 14 have done is to compromise, and there is no compromise to be had - Owen is in, now, and while she's just one judge, she's a bad one and on the federal bench for life now. At least we'll have the option when we need it after Rehnquist steps down.
Don't kid yourself. These guys are just laying in wait.Deal/schmeal. Don't think for a moment that they are finished with the judicial nomination hijinks.
I know most politicians, especially at the state and local level, are hacks, but most of them have egos and want to be associated with having done something, so I've never understood why legislators in Albany have put up with Three Men in a Room for so long.
And, off-topic, can you tell us anything about Denise O'Donnell, the Buffalo lawyer who is running for AG? She gets no press here, as you probably know.
Denise was a classmate of mine, as it happens. I've been holding off commenting about her because the race is so far off, but for what it's worth, I think she'd be good in the office. I do not think that there is much crossover in the skill sets between US Attorney and NY State Attorney General except on the one point that nobody runs on-- both are chiefly administrative positions. Denise ran a high-quality office, full of talent, and I have to believe she would do the same as AG. I think that is important-- the last time someone from Buffalo was AG, he fired a generation's worth of accumulated talent, and filled the chairs with patronage appointees. And the Democrat that was there before that was more political in his appointments than the two guys who had the job before him-- a Democrat and a Republican. The office is viewed as a bully pulpit, but people haven't been able to parlay it into higher office in my memory. I don't think Denise is looking to become Governor-- another thing to like about her.
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