"Insider's news about politics from across the State"

Open Letter

Thomas Ravenel

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Dear Senator Graham,

For decades, our nation has been plagued with liberal judges who have taken it upon themselves to dictate their own versions of the law as they wish… much to the detriment of the principles on which our nation was founded.

This week, you will have the opportunity to help free the American people from the tyranny of these unelected judges who somehow believe they should make, rather than interpret, the law. 

In the last two elections, the American people made clear they want judges who will faithfully interpret the law, not legislate from the bench. 

Unfortunately, Democrats are attempting to continue their practice of blocking the seating of qualified judges appointed by our Republican President by using the filibuster to prevent their confirmation.

If you wish to accurately reflect the wishes of the majority of South Carolina’s citizens, you have no reasonable option other than voting to change the Senate rules that currently permit a minority to block nominees by threatening to filibuster.

A recent Wall Street Journal editorial supporting the right of the Senate majority to vote on the nominees of the President said, “…the alternative is for Republicans to let a Senate minority dictate who can sit on the federal bench--even after two elections in a row in which Democrats lost Senate seats in part because of the judicial filibuster issue. Elections ought to mean something. If Republicans allow a repeat of the last two years, their own voters will start to hold their timidity against them.”

In your case, Senator Graham, it is reasonable to assume that your siding with the Democrats on this most important vote – as I am informed you have suggested – would be reason for South Carolina voters to question whether it might have been a mistake to send someone to represent us in the United States Senate without the benefit of a contested primary election.  I would be one of those voters.

I strongly urge you to cast your vote to uphold the right of our President to appoint qualified judges, and help end the reign of unelected liberal judiciary.

Respectfully,

Thomas Ravenel