Encouraged, the younger Bush wants to rid the courts of objectivity root and branch. Fifty years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a moderate Republican, saw the need to end political cronyism in federal court appointments. Eisenhower asked the American Bar Association to assess the qualifications of prospective nominees to the federal bench.
Republican fanatics claim their nominees have been mistreated.
In fact, between 1960 and 1996, the ABA considered 1,608 nominees. Twenty-three nominees of Democratic administrations were found not qualified, and three Republican nominees. Even the notorious Robert Bork was adjudged well qualified. Still, Bush has ended the ABA assessments. Integrity and competence are not to his taste.