We’re even seeing reports that the White House’s selection process is guided by the raw political calculation of what they think will exert the most political pressure on me.
The misguided logic appears to be that if they nominate someone who I, and other Republicans, supported for a lower court, then somehow we’ll suddenly conclude that it’s a good idea to drop that nominee into what Chairman Biden called the “cauldron” of a hearing during a heated presidential campaign. People conveniently forget that Judge Bork was confirmed unanimously to the D.C. Circuit. But that was before the other side viciously attacked and smeared him when he was nominated to the Supreme Court.
It’s even been suggested that if the White House selects a judge from Iowa, then I’d try to convince my colleagues that it’s a good idea to hold hearings. We’ve been up front and clear, but in case there is any confusion over whether this obvious political ploy would work, let me be crystal clear: it won’t.
We’re not going to drop any nominee into that election-year ‘cauldron’, and I’m certainly not going to let it happen to an Iowan.
That Iowan is Judge Jane Kelly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, who reportedly is on Obama’s interview shortlist. The Senate in 2013 confirmed Kelly to her current post by a 96-0 vote. Another shortlister, D.C. Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan, was confirmed that same year by a 97-0 vote.
Thomson Reuters’ Victoria Kwan noted that Grassley’s apparent protectiveness of Kelly’s reputation may not reflect particularly well on him:
Very noble of Sen. Grassley to not let Judge Kelly be viciously attacked and smeared by … him and the GOP. https://t.co/SsyHKMaKmD
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