Southern Democrats Support Kennedy, Boot Estrada

Just so you'll know where I am coming from before I let go with this commentary, I am a conservative and have been active in years past in Republican campaigns. Now, having said that, I have some friends who are conservative Democrats ... meaning they are truly conservative on many issues and are courageous enough to speak their mind. Zell Miller and his tenure as a United States Senator comes to mind, but there are others. In this light, I cannot for the life of me understand why Southern Democrats will vote the straight Democratic Party line in Washington even though they say they do not agree with the National Democratic Party on an issue.

What brought this to mind is the fact that the Democrats, led by Teddy Kennedy, have effectively eliminated Miguel Estrada as a possible appeals court judge. They did it by using the filibuster, which means the Senate never got to vote yes or no on Estrada. Under Senate rules it takes 60 votes to break a filibuster, and with almost all Democrats voting solidly, Kennedy and the other Democratic leaders were able to keep Estrada off the bench.

Miguel Estrada is one of the most qualified people to be nominated for a judgeship ever. He is Hispanic, but the Democrats insisted that was not the reason they voted against him ... although it now seems apparent Democrats will dump anyone who does not follow their liberal line. He was nominated two years ago by President Bush, so there was plenty of time. The reason the Kennedy Democrats voted against Migual Estrada is simply because he is conservative ... and after several decades of placing liberal judges on the various courts, the Democrats cannot stand to see a strict constructionist gain a seat. The Kennedy Democrats want nothing but activist judges, and they want them to be liberal so they can get through the courts the things they cannot get through Congress. What I cannot understand is why Southern Democrats, who say they are conservative, march lock-step with obviously liberal leadership.

This is Gordon Sawyer and may the wind always be at your back.