Estrada Filibuster Defies Constitution

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: Mar 17, 2003

Estrada Filibuster Defies Constitution

There is more than one war going on right now. One war is an international conflict between freedom loving people, led by the United States, against terrorism and repression.

The other war, however, is right here in Washington over the nomination of Miguel Estrada to sit on the U.S. court of appeals for the District of Columbia. 55 senators, including some Democrats, have voted to confirm him…twice.

But the senate Democratic leadership is ignoring the constitution. They are filibustering Estrada’s nomination. 60 votes are required to cut off debate and, so far, Republicans are five votes short of the necessary number.

Estrada reads the constitution the way it was written. This frightens liberals, whose advances have come mostly through the courts and not through the people’s elected representatives. So they oppose him for the flimsiest of excuses.

There is only one way this war for the constitution can be won and that is if citizens let their senators know what they think. If you don’t, the left will frustrate every other judicial appointment by President Bush and the constitution will be the ultimate loser.

So how much do you care about the constitution and the law? Enough to call your senator?

I’m Cal Thomas in Washington.

Estrada Filibuster Defies Constitution