During a press conference earlier today, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made a point of saying that the Democrats would not automatically obstruct any nomination that the White House offered up for the nomination.
But he had some conditions. The White House needs to pick a “professional, not a partisan, and not a pal.” And President Bush needs to “pick the best person, not his best friend.”
He went on:
“I say to the White House that we Democrats implore you to work with us. Don’t choose the path of confrontation and throw down the gauntlet with a nominee that we will find it difficult to accept. We are willing to meet you in the middle of the road. All we ask is that you choose somebody that puts the rule of law first. We’re not looking for confrontation here. Ideally the WH will come to us, work with us, and there will be no confrontation….”