Remember Estrada

Israel Ortega / June 02, 2009

Do you remember Miguel Estrada? Back in 2001, Miguel Estrada was a nominee for the United Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Unfortunately, Miguel Estrada never became a judge. His crime? He was a Latino Republican who liberals believed was on the fast-track for the Supreme Court.

Despite graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School and serving as the Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Appellate Section at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Miguel Estrada’s nomination to the United Court of Appeals was effectively killed. Then in the minority, Senate Democrats mounted a successful filibuster under Minority Leader Tom Daschle preventing Miguel Estrada from even getting the courtesy of receiving a simple up or down vote.

The minority party was well aware that Miguel Estrada would have the votes necessary to gain confirmation. Why stop him? It was later revealed in internal Memos (warning PDF) (more…)