Dawn Johnsen, the Obama administration's nominee to head the Office of Legal Counsel, has been held up for months ostensibly because of her positions on reproductive rights, but more likely because of her views on torture and her strong criticism of the previous administration's OLC, which rubber-stamped the use of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques.
Daphne Eviatar reports that Arlen Specter, once one of Johnsen's harshest critics, is reconsidering his position. Eviatar posted this note from Specter's press shop:
Senator Specter has several concerns about Ms. Johnsen's nomination, including her views on executive power and abortion. Senator Specter is solidly pro-choice, but he disagrees with her position equating limitations with involuntary servitude. Senator Specter had a second meeting with her to get clarification on her positions and he is still considering her nomination.
We can count this as another public service contribution from Joe Sestak, Specter's Democratic primary opponent. But ultimately Harry Reid makes the choice of whether or not to push for cloture, and right now both he and the administration have put almost everything on the back burner to deal with health care. Getting Johnsen through will likely require some active pushing on the White House's part, so I doubt we'll see movement on Johnsen before we have a health-care bill.
-- A. Serwer
