Demos OK vote on U. professor

WASHINGTON — Democrats, apparently not wanting to further offend incoming Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, are finally allowing a committee confirmation vote Thursday for University of Utah law professor Michael McConnell.

President Bush announced 18 months ago that he was nominating McConnell to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals based in Denver. Hatch, R-Utah, has complained loudly that Democrats have stalled McConnell's confirmation since then, and last month accused them of reneging on a promise to allow a vote on McConnell, who has been attacked by liberal groups as too conservative and anti-choice on abortion.

But current committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., announced Tuesday night that he will allow a vote on McConnell at a Thursday business meeting. The nomination now is expected to pass and be sent to the full Senate.

Leahy is also allowing a vote on Dennis W. Shedd, a judge and former aide to retiring Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., who was nominated to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.

Hatch was furious last month when Democrats had put Shedd on the agenda and then withdrew his name. Hatch said that was a serious insult to long-serving, 99-year-old Thurmond. Also, the ailing Thurmond gave what was expected to be his last speech ever in the Senate to denounce Democrats for not allowing that vote.

Things apparently changed when Republicans won majorities in last week's elections in the Senate for the Congress that begins next year.

That means Hatch will again chair the Judiciary Committee and control its agenda, where he said Republicans have been abused under Democratic control.

The move by Democrats is seen by some as a move to try to make some peace with Hatch, and by others as possibly giving Democrats more credibility when they fight other GOP nominees.

The only reaction from Hatch spokeswoman Margarita Tapia on Wednesday was, "Sen. Hatch has actively campaigned for Michael McConnell and hopes that he will be confirmed this week before adjournment."

Hatch was more bombastic last month when Democrats then refused to put McConnell on the agenda for a vote.

"I am ashamed of this committee today," he said then. "We continue to reach new lows this year. And the other new low reached today is personal."

He added that Democrats had peppered McConnell with requests for additional responses to questions, and McConnell had given the committee all it sought. "So today we see his reward, and mine. We will not consider his nomination. In fact we will not even put it on the agenda," a furious Hatch said.

Meanwhile, Republicans said that two GOP nominees who were rejected by committee Democrats this Congress — Priscilla Owen and Charles W. Pickering — may be renominated by President Bush next year with Republicans in control of the Senate.

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