I have it from multiple sources that President Biden has cut a deal with Senators Rubio and Scott to nominate Jackie Becerra, Melissa Damian, and David Leibowitz for the 3 open district slots. Three great choices. More on this later, but wanted to get this up.
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So Biden is nominating the nephew of Norman Braman, Rubio's biggest patron? Interesting strategy.
ReplyDeleteHe's been trying forever!!! Since Trump picked AMC...
Deleteleaving a very qualified black woman on the curb, to boot. disgraceful.
ReplyDeleteNone of these people were selected by the democrats' jnc created by Debbie Wasserman Shultz. What the hell? What was the point of the democrats creating a process?
ReplyDeleteJudge Cooke is rolling over in her grave. The WHITE House should be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteHard to nominate your first choice with a filibuster in place and two die-
ReplyDeletehard Republican Senators, who won't return their blue slips. This Democrat won't criticize Biden for a compromise that results in three capable judges being added to the bench.
Compromise. Hmmm. I don't seem to recall the former president having to do much of that. Also, I thought we were going to see some diversity of experience as well as diversity of the individual candidates. Seems like all three are former prosecutors.
ReplyDeleteAll competent choices ..but two Republicans out of three,and no African American woman to fill Judge Cookes seat? And gridlock for the upcoming fourth seat ? Horrible deal. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the WH got pantsed.
ReplyDeleteFor months the rumors were that the nominees would be Detra Shaw-Wilder, Shanieka Maynard and Miguel De la O. This is a betrayal! The white house should be embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteI'm somewhat surprised at these comments, though they are understandable. I, for one, am pleased with these three selections, because each brings a diversity of experience and background that our district traditionally has not rewarded, and each is very well qualified. For example, magistrate judges rarely have been nominated to district judgeships in the Southern District of Florida, so it's nice to see that trend change. Both Judge Becerra and Judge Damian also were in private practice for a long time practicing commercial litigation; that, too, is different. I don't know whether the district has ever had a general counsel as a nominee, either.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are other qualified candidates. And, yes, it is the executive who gets to choose whom to nominate. But so long as the senate respects blue slips for district judgeships, it is absolutely pointless to rail against President Biden for apparently compromising with Senators Scott and Rubio. Otherwise, these openings will remain just that -- openings, to the detriment of the lawyers and the parties in this district.
a) they should get rid of the blue slip thing its stupid
ReplyDeleteb) if you're gonna give Rubio his nephew, you should get someone better in exchange for one of the other spots
It is not as if our judges are overworked. It would be interesting to find out how much appreciation Mr. Braman had to show and to whom. Got to give the guy credit though, he has influence with both Trump and Biden, not many in that category.
ReplyDelete@ 1:20 p.m. On your second point, who would you say is better than Judge Becerra or Judge Damian (and who realistically had a shot)?
ReplyDeleteI'm not 1:20 p.m. yet will answer the question 1:57 p.m. asked. If you've ever practiced in State court you would know Judge De la O is a better choice. I challenge you to find someone who has appeared before him that would disagree. Ask the other judges too. He reminds me of Jimmy Cohn. Biden blew it.
ReplyDeleteThe democrat JNC was a pointless joke the day it was created, as was stated in the comments to this blog at the time.
ReplyDeleteAt least the dem jnc was an open and transparent process. Instead of the backroom deal that led to this slate.
ReplyDeleteMy dump this morning was open and transparent and was just as important as the Dem “JNC”. That JNC had no authority, was named after an impeached federal judge and included a lawyer member (1 of 7) who had been convicted of a federal crime. A joke, a waste of money and a waste of time. We should have had two of these judges two years ago.
DeleteSo much for Biden's focus on getting more Public Defenders and criminal defense attorneys on the federal bench. Two more former AUSA's - yes they are nice and capable but that misses the point.
ReplyDeleteY'all forget, this is Flo-rida... Cracker Trail and all... there's no entitlement here but White. Cuban. Jewish and a combination of thereof, entitlement...
ReplyDeleteNext go round, the most QUALIFIED ladies better join the Federalist Society!! Sorry it just had to be said....
All five Trump nominees were minorities.
DeleteSurely you don't consider Cubans a minority in Miami!! 🤣
ReplyDelete