I'd say the administration's failure on judicial nominations was approaching absurdity, but it's past that point. Even taking into account the ridiculous level of Republican obstructionism, there are 105 federal judicial vacancies and only 45 nominees put forth by the administration. Yes, it would be nice if Republicans would allow more nominees to be confirmed, but it would also be nice if the administration took this issue more seriously.
Obama has voiced only tepid public objection as more and more of his judicial nominees become stranded in Senate limbo. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has been unwilling to set aside the considerable time needed to force votes under complex Senate rules.
Now there are 45 nominees awaiting action, two for nearly 13 months. After Alexander's complaint, the Republicans agreed to allow a mid-September vote for appeals court nominee Jane Stranch, first nominated by Obama in August 2009.
What's bizarre about this is that the partisan benefit to nominating friendly judges is really obvious. If the administration doesn't want to see the Affordable Care Act or moratoriums on offshore drilling being overturned by partisan judges, or ideologues rewriting the U.S.' obligations under international law based on their personal political views, then it might want to think about getting some judges confirmed. At the very least, the administration could be using the pace of federal judicial nominations to remind everyone how Republicans intend to run things if they retake one or both houses in November.
(Chart via CAP)
