November 1, 2004

Dear Senator Daschle

By Tom Joseph
Although I am not a resident of your state, I am a Democrat. My parents and grandparents were also Democrats. As a Democrat, I am very concerned about the filibusters that you, as Senate Minority Leader, led against President Bush's federal court nominations of Miguel Estrada, Justice Janice Rogers Brown and Attorney General William Pryor. It is my understanding that Senate Democrats demanded the release of memoranda written by Miguel Estrada while he served in the Solicitor General's Office. I have read that this was an unprecedented demand and that this demand was not made during the confirmation hearings of others that served in this same capacity and who now serve on the federal bench. If I were an employer who set different requirements for a minority applicant, I would violate the laws protecting equal employment opportunites. These laws were strongly backed by our Party because of our unwavering commitment to equality. Years ago, the entire Congress agreed to be governed...(Read Full Article)