January 16, 2004

Bush installs Pickering on appeals court, bypassing Democrats who had blocked him

President Bush bypassed Congress and installed Charles Pickering on the federal appeals court Friday, opening an election-year fight with Democrats who had stalled the nomination for more than two years.

Bush installed Pickering by a recess appointment, which avoids the confirmation process. Such appointments are valid until the next Congress takes office, in this case in January 2005.

YESSSSSSS!
Now, if only he would do the same with Miguel Estrada, Katherine Kuhl and Janice Rogers Brown!