President ‘Demanding’ Judges Over Jobs

White House: ‘The Bottom Line Is The White House Strongly Supports Leader Reid’s Move’

“White House Counsel Kathy Ruemmler had an unusual on-the-record call with reporters Tuesday to press for confirmation of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees…” (Politico, 3/13/12)

“‘What the president is really asking — what he’s demanding — is that the Senate do its job on behalf of the American people,’ White House Counsel Kathy Ruemmler told reporters.” (ABC News, 3/14/12)

“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) picked up a ringing endorsement from the White House on Tuesday… ‘The bottom line is the White House strongly supports Leader Reid’s move,’ White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler said in a conference call with reporters.” (The Huffington Post, 3/13/12)

“… the White House came out in strong support of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) decision…” (The Hill, 3/13/12)

·         “Reid’s maneuver and the White House’s renewed push for the nominees are aimed at… portraying the GOP as obstructionists this election year.” (The Hill, 3/13/12)

‘Are Jobs More Important Than Getting Federal Judges Confirmed?’

“Jobs bill hung up on judicial fight… a fight Senate Democrats have picked…  Reid has moved to hold cloture votes on 17 judge nominations starting tomorrow. Each judge vote could tie up the Senate floor for weeks…” (NBC News, 3/13/12)

·         “McConnell… argued the Senate should move right away to the JOBS bill that passed the House with 390 votes.” (NBC News, 3/13/12)

“Jobs or Judges… That brought a new round of recriminations, set beneath a question that appears to favor Republicans, if you follow the polls: Are jobs more important than getting federal judges confirmed?” (The Wall Street Journal, 3/13/12)

“Jobs bills are arguably more urgent than judicial nominations… Compared to, say, someone laid off because of the recession, a judicial nominee waiting for confirmation isn’t a particularly poignant figure.” (The Los Angeles Times, 3/13/12)

“Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell hit back Tuesday in the fight over judicial nominations, accusing Majority Leader Harry Reid of ‘manufacturing a controversy’ rather than addressing high unemployment and gas prices…” (Politico, 3/13/12)

·         “Reid filed cloture on the nominations of 17 district court judges… It’s a move that could jam up the floor for weeks…” (Politico, 3/13/12)