Republicans Pledge Filibuster Against Potential Pro-Abortion Obama Judicial Picks

If true, this is a promising development; but I'm skeptical about certain Senators keeping their word on this matter. Still, it is a story that bears repeating, if for no reason than to remind people that the Republicans were on the record as being unanimous in seeing Bush's judicial nominees get fair treatment.

Hat tip to Lifenews.com. Article follows below. God bless!

Republicans Pledge Filibuster Against Potential Pro-Abortion Obama Judicial Picks

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 3, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Republican senators have unanimously signed their names to a letter telling President Barack Obama that he needs to fill some of the many open slots in lower federal courts with President Bush's nominees for those positions or face filibusters of his own picks.

The move, if successful, could be a benefit for the pro-life movement as Bush's judicial selections are significantly more pro-life than the ones Obama will likely make.

During the end of the Bush administration, pro-abortion Democrats in Congress refused to allow votes on some of his nominees, including pro-life advocates who would have been more likely to uphold pro-life laws reducing abortions.

Before he picks judges for new spots, the Republican senators say Obama should reappoint some of the Bush nominees Democrats let flounder without confirmation votes.

Doing so, all 41 Republicans said in a letter to Obama sent to him Monday, would “change the tone in Washington."

According to the news web site Politico, they also asked Obama to respect the Senate's constitutional role in reviewing judicial nominees by asking for input from the home state senators for any potential judicial selection to determine whether Republicans would be opposed to the pick.

That's where the filibuster threat comes into play.

“Regretfully, if we are not consulted on, and approve of, a nominee from our states, the Republican Conference will be unable to support moving forward on that nominee,” the letter warns. “And we will act to preserve this principle and the rights of our colleagues if it is not.”

The letter is the first shot in what could be a tough battle on Obama judicial picks and could preview the debate the Senate may have if and when the time comes for Obama to select a new Supreme Court justice.

The Supreme Court was one of the biggest worries for pro-life advocates during the presidential election because it is potentially one vote away from overturning the radical Roe v. Wade decision that allowed for virtually unlimited abortions for any reason throughout pregnancy.

With the election of Obama, pro-life advocates are worried that he will select one or more judges who will replace some of the current group of five pro-abortion justices and serve on the court for decades all the while upholding unlimited abortions.

A potential filibuster, which will be difficult to uphold with only 41 Republicans and some of them taking pro-abortion positions, is the only move the pro-life side has to stop Obama's potential pro-abortion Supreme Court picks.