In the last two years of the Clinton administration, the Republican Senate confirmed 15 appeals-court nominees.(THE WEEK)(Brief article)

In the last two years of the Clinton administration, the Republican Senate confirmed 15 appeals-court nominees. Today's Democratic Senate has, so far, confirmed only three of Bush's nominees. Sen. Patrick Leahy called the Republicans' performance "unacceptable" in 2000. As chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he is largely responsible for today's much slower pace. Judge Leslie Southwick of Mississippi is the latest victim of obstruction--and slander. He is being accused of racial insensitivity because he voted with the majority in a case finding that state law did not require the firing of a state employee for using the N-word. The state supreme court affirmed that decision. He is also being accused of hostility to gay people ...