On Kavanaugh's nomination......

What They're Saying ...

Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination To The U.S. Court Of Appeals For The D.C. Circuit

"It is undoubtedly true that Mr. Kavanaugh has been in the center of many legal disputes over the past fifteen years. That strikes me as an unqualified good – he has an enormous breadth of experience that will serve him well. I have watched his career for many years, and it strikes me as one of almost unmatched distinction. ...I do not believe it appropriate to write to you unless I feel strongly about a particular nominee. I feel strongly now: Brett Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit."
–Neal Katyal, Georgetown University Law Center Professor, Former Attorney To Vice President Gore, And Former Clinton Administration Official, Letter To Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), 5/9/06

More from Professor Neal Katyal On Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination

Katyal: Kavanaugh "Would Be A Welcome, Terrific Addition To The United States Court Of Appeals." "I have watched this nomination with strong interest for the past two years, but have stayed silent because I was not sure whether Mr. Kavanaugh had any role in a pro bono case in which I am lead counsel, Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (currently pending at the United States Supreme Court). Because of my uncertainty as to his involvement, I felt it improper to comment on the nomination given my status as counsel for a party. In the hearing before your committee today, however, Mr. Kavanaugh stated that he had no role with respect to Guantanamo Bay policy. I am very grateful for the hearing today, for it has allowed me to write to you. Accordingly, I feel free to say that Mr. Kavanaugh would be a welcome, terrific addition to the United States Court of Appeals." (Neal Katyal, Letter To Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), 5/9/06)

Ø Katyal: "This Is An Entirely Unsolicited Letter." "This is an entirely unsolicited letter, I have not spoken with Mr. Kavanaugh for approximately four years, nor have I spoken with anyone else at the White House, U.S. Department of Justice, or U.S. Senate, in conjunction with this nomination." (Neal Katyal, Letter To Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), 5/9/06)

Media Reports And Editorials On Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination

Congress Daily: "Kavanaugh Breezes Through 2nd Judicial Nomination Hearing." "An unruffled Brett Kavanaugh weathered a barrage of critical Democratic questions Tuesday and pledged to be nonpartisan if confirmed as a judge on U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia." (Michael Posner, "Kavanaugh Breezes Through 2nd Judicial Nomination Hearing," Congress Daily, 5/10/06)

The Washington Post: Kavanaugh "Does Not Appear To Be An Ideologue." "Yet Mr. Kavanaugh is a talented attorney. He has been involved in controversies, but he does not appear to be an ideologue. While Democrats complain that his experience is thin, it is no more so than others who have won confirmation and served on that court. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) is holding a second hearing on Mr. Kavanaugh's nomination today. If it produces nothing new, he should be confirmed." (Editorial, "A Tale Of Two Judges," The Washington Post, 5/9/06)

National Review's Edward Whelan: Kavanaugh "Has A Remarkable Breadth Of Experience That Few Judicial Nominees Could Match." (Edward Whelan, Op-Ed, "A Public Disservice," National Review, 5/3/06)

The Wall Street Journal: In A "Rational World," Kavanaugh "Wouldn't Be Considered Anything Close To Controversial Enough" To Merit A Filibuster. "In a rational world, he wouldn't be considered anything close to controversial enough to trigger that accord's 'extraordinary circumstances' exception." (Editorial, "The Next Filibuster?" The Wall Street Journal, 5/4/06)

The Washington Times: "After Nearly Three Long Years Since He Was First Nominated, Mr. Kavanaugh Should Finally Get His Long-Deserved Vote On The Senate Floor." "After Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter received a letter from the seven Democratic members of the 'Gang of 14' promising not to support a filibuster against Mr. Kavanaugh's nomination if he appeared before the committee a second time, the chairman scheduled today's hearing. A committee vote could come Thursday. Before the Memorial Day recess, after nearly three long years since he was first nominated, Mr. Kavanaugh should finally get his long-deserved vote on the Senate floor." (Editorial, "The Kavanaugh Hearing," The Washington Times, 5/9/06)

Senators On Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination

Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN): Kavanaugh's "Forthcoming And Candid Responses Before The Senate Judiciary Committee [On Tuesday] Further Confirm That He Will Be The Kind Of Fair And Independent Judge America Expects In Its Courtrooms." (David G. Savage, "Bench Nominee Denies Role In Controversies," Los Angeles Times, 5/10/06)

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT): Kavanaugh "Merits Our Support And When Confirmed Will Serve The Public Well As A Fair And Impartial Jurist." "I have confidence that Mr. Kavanaugh will again today demonstrate his deep understanding and knowledge of the law. I expect that he will once again display his intellect, sound judgment and judicial temperament. I have no doubt that [he] fully appreciates the proper role and limitations placed on federal appellate judges in our constitutional system. … I only hope that we focus on the qualifications and character of the nominee we have before us today. If we do that, I have no doubt that Brett Kavanaugh merits our support and when confirmed will serve the public well as a fair and impartial jurist." (Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), "Sen. Hatch Comments On Kavanaugh's Nomination," Press Release, 5/9/06)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): Kavanaugh "Is An Outstanding Nominee And Someone Who I Think Should Be Confirmed To The District Of Columbia Circuit Court Of Appeals." (Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Media Availability, 5/9/06)