The result well could be a filibuster of every presidential judicial nomination, the first 14 or 15 of which are expected to be delivered to the Senate soon. Most immediately, the struggle will center on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, where there are a number of vacancies. Some of these have been open for the last eight years as the Clinton administration showed no hurry in filling them, and others were blocked by Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Liberal Democrats have reason to be concerned. The White House team vetting the potential nominees has strong conservative credentials.
Ideology thus becomes a major factor in whether a candidate is qualified.
Bush's decision to eliminate the liberal-leaning American Bar Association from the process has heightened Democratic concerns. The more spectacular confirmation action, of course, would come should one or more slots on the Supreme Court open during the next four years. Republicans would expect any nomination to enhance the favorable conservative balance on the court or at least to preserve it. Democrats would oppose such nominees every step of the way. The court has operated under strength in the past and might have to do so for some time.