Michael W. McConnell: Matheson on merits (Former Federal Judge defends Obama judicial selection)

News that University of Utah law professor Scott Matheson Jr. has been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals has been marred by speculation that the nomination is an attempt to suborn the vote of his brother, Rep. Jim Matheson, in favor of the Obama administration's health care proposal. From my personal knowledge, this speculation cannot be true...

The decision to nominate Matheson must have been made by mid-October, because in mid-January 2010 I received a call from the American Bar Association committee investigating him. Because of the need for a thorough FBI check, it takes approximately three months from the date the White House decides on a judicial nominee before the ABA can do its work. On Nov. 7, the House of Representatives passed the health care bill, with Rep. Matheson voting "nay."

Evidently, President Barack Obama nominated Matheson, who has superb credentials and excellent character, for the position despite the politics of health care, not because of it.

Michael W. McConnell Director, Stanford Constitutional Law Center
Former Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_14697715




Scott M. Matheson, Jr, Professor of Law, University of Utah
Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
57 Years Old








Previous Posts

Obama nominates Scott Matheson Jr. to 10th Circuit Court of Appeals (Thu Mar-04-10)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7838359&mesg_id=7838359

A colleague of Scott Matheson ends conservative conspiracy theory (Sat Mar-06-10)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7854366

have already slapped down this bogus charge.

That it's still circulating shows the character of media in this country.

That GOP Senators and a former Bush federal Judge would support him indicates both of the following:

This is a moderate nominee.
This man has won a lot of respect among those who know him.