Why did George W. only appoint Pickering instead of all of the judges?

[Eric J in MN]

Why did George W. only appoint Pickering instead of all four of the judges who are being filibustered in the US Senate?

[Democrats unite]

1. As soon as the shock of this one wears off...

I'll be we get another!

[aquart]

2. Because he'd just had a photo op at the MLK ceremonies.

And he always betrays the people with whom he has most recently been photographed.

It's a trademark.

[carols]

16. That is a brilliant observation

And 100% correct!
Carol

[number6]

18. and think of all those photo ops with the troops..

:(

[SoCalDem]

22. Exactly.. By appointing others, it would have diluted

the slap-in-the-face of the Pickering appointment.. He will probably appoint the others when they have the most effect too.. We all know that the congress takes a lot of time off. He will have other opportunities before the election :)

[KeepItReal]

3. That's a really good question

<eom>

[phillybri]

4. To piss off Dems two days before MLK Day...

IMHO...

[Eric J in MN]

5. Is George W. trying to appeal to people who are against MLK day? (nt)

nt

[TheWebHead]

6. red meat

for the racist core of the republican party... especially after riling them up with the MLK ceremony the previous day, and the uproar over his illegal immigration plans.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

7. because elections are gonna be close in these heavely AA states...

louisiana, mississippi are going Dem this time and especially white texans who are fed up with their native idiot son....i personally know 17 lifelong GOPers who said they will NOT vote for bush again!....Houston

bush is gonna need his "ace in the hole"...pickering

[papau]

8. Pickering decisions dump on women/minorities - so Bush Base is happy

and the MLK boo's and break out from "free speech" zones into news photo view required a message be sent.

[Eric J in MN]

9. But why didn't he try to appeal more to rightwing by appointing all 4? nt

nt

[PVnRT]

10. Spite

Pure and simple - this was a childish end-around Democratic opposition. Not that anyone in the "liberal" media will be pointing that out, of course.

[Eric J in MN]

11. Couldn't he have been more spiteful by appointing all 4? nt

nt

[PVnRT]

14. Pickering was more of a target

than the others - at least, Pickering was the only name I've heard that Democrats are really pissed off about.

[Toby109]

12. What cases are coming up in the 5th Court of Appeals?

That's my question.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. 04 contested election cases in Louisiana and Mississippi.maybe Texas too!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

13. do you wanna hear it's because bush is a "compassionate conservative"???

:puke:

[PSR40004]

17. Supposedly he asked all 4 but only Pickertion accepted

Bush supposedly asked all 4 if they wanted an appointment but only he accepted, at age 64 it's thought his career is over, the others don't want to piss off congress more.

[Eric J in MN]

19. Interesting. If others said no to an appointment, would explain it. (nt)

nt

[demgrrrll]

20. I think this and the freeper/Cho incident should be tied to his ass with

a string and a tin can. He is a petty vicious little man and I will dance in the streets when he is removed from office.

[Yupster]

21. Thanks PSR

Don't know if your answer is right, but at least it makes some sense. After reading down the whole thread, I was happy to finally see some attempt at an answer.