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For Immediate Release
March 5, 2003

Q in This Search for Bipartisanship, What Is Your Judgment About

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Q in This Search for Bipartisanship, What Is Your Judgment About what's happening on the Hill with regard to judicial nominations, and the argument by Democrats, the position the Democrats have taken with regard to the role of senators?

MR. FLEISCHER: The President is going to be very respectful of the senatorial prerogative on advice and consent. And I said this morning I will get it to you this afternoon, the letter that Judge Gonzales has sent up to the Congress that expresses the President's desire to work with senators to make certain that his nominations for the judiciary are put through the Senate.

It's very important to have the judicial nominations go through. There are vacancies on the benches. Nobody wants to slow down the wheels of justice. And certainly, the President would not expect the Senate to do that. So this letter will make clear to you, the President intends to work closely, cooperatively with senators.

Q But does that mean that he will abide by the old policy Democrats claim was enforced before, that will allow the two home state senators to more or less exercise a veto over whether or not a judicial nomination --

MR. FLEISCHER: Let me get you the letter and then you can evaluate that.