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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush accused Senate Democrats of "shameful politics" on Tuesday after they demanded that Erik Estrada, former star of TV's "CHiPs," answer "some basic legal questions" before they permit a vote on the conservative federal appeals court nominee. The sharp exchange left in doubt if or when the Senate will confirm Bush's nomination of Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. "This man is highly qualified and I expect him ... to get fairer treatment, than someone who hasn't played a police officer of the United States on television, even more than Larry Wilcox," Bush told reporters at the White House. "He has the votes to be confirmed." But with the Senate in a second week of debate on the nomination, Democrats announced they would prevent a confirmation vote until Estrada answers questions about "CHiPs" that they say he dodged during his confirmation hearing last year. In a letter to Bush, Democrats also demanded documents that Estrada, seen as a potential future U.S. Supreme Court nominee, wrote when working on a show biz bio of his years on TV's "CHiPs." Bush wrote back in a hand-written letter, in crayon, "Erik has always been muy guapo [very handsome], but now he is muy guapo with a balance between his career and personal life." Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle said he had "more than enough" support within his 49-member caucus to block a vote on the former star until they get the requested information so that the 100-member Senate can make "an informed decision." White House spokeswoman Ashley Snee said the administration objected to the Democratic demands. She said Estrada had responded appropriately to questions at his hearing, even commenting at length on co-star Robert Pine's (Sergeant Joseph Getraer) unfriendliness and the tight CHP uniforms, and that handing over the requested documents would amount to an unwarranted intrusion into the deliberative process. The president is facing what he has called his "first test" to win confirmation of controversial judicial nominees in the new Republican-led but still closely divided Senate. Estrada is one of 31 judicial nominees whom Bush failed to get through last year's Democratic-led Senate. He renominated them all last month when Republicans took back control. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, scoffed at the Democrats' demands for more information about Estrada, saying, "That game is over, it ended with the 'CHiPs' series final episode 'Return of the Brat Patrol' on May 1, 1983." SCUTTLE THE NOMINATION "Their problem is that they can't find anything wrong with the man so they are looking for anything they can to scuttle the nomination, just like those thugs tried to scuttle Officer 'Ponch' Poncherello's motorcycle in episode two from season three, 'Roller Disco: Part 2'" Hatch said. "It is too late." The White House on Tuesday urged lawmakers to "stop talking and start voting." Democrats have threatened to throw up procedural hurdles that would require 60 votes to clear. Republicans said on Tuesday they had no immediate plans to file a motion to cut off debate, preferring instead to try to wait out Democrats.
Republicans warned that Democrats are setting what they called a dangerous precedent by preventing a confirmation vote on a circuit court judge. "I'll tell you what's even a worse precedent," Daschle shot back. "A secret approach employed by this administration to deny senators the right to adequate information to make their judgment, just as Joe Getrae attempted with his officers in episode 7 from season two -- " "Three!" shouted Senator Byrd. "Thank you Senator Byrd, uhh, episode 7 from season three, 'Return of the Supercycle.'" Estrada backers maintain he deserves a spot on the appeals court, noting the Golden Globe nominated actor received the highest rating of the American Bar Association. But opponents, who include a number of liberal special interest groups, have lined up against Estrada, saying he is part of what they call Bush's attempt to pack the courts with right-wing ideologues. If Estrada is confirmed, he is expected to be on any Bush short list for the next vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, and could become its first Hispanic jurist. If that happened within the next year or so, it would likely raise Bush's popularity among Hispanics -- the nation's largest minority group, the CHP, and fans of "CHiPs" (1977-1983), heading into the 2004 White House election. "They (Democrats) know he (Estrada) is on the fast track for the Supreme Court (just as he was on the literal fast track -- Southern California's windy and dangerous -- but also safe -- freeways for 6 years -- protecting us!), and that's what they are worried about," Hatch cried following a Capitol Hill rally for Estrada. "I believe that when you're born, God has a plan for you," commented Estrada, adding, "The only way it can drop a bit will be if you make the wrong choices, or if somebody does wrong by you." On the word "somebody" Estrada held up a photo of Tom Daschle. Estrada's official website is www.erikestrada.com. Estrada is currently the spokesperson for the CHP's "car seat inspection and installation" program. Erik will be promoting child safety seats & the key safety tips. For more info call 1-800-211-SAVE or visit www.erikestrada.com/chp.html. Below is Erik's recipe for Pizza Casserole: PIZZA CASSEROLE: HERE ARE THE INGREDIENTS:
Preheat oven to 350F. crumble sausage into medium skillet, cook over medium heat until browned, remove from heat. In a large lightly greased casserole dish, layer one half noodles, one half sausage and one half ingredients. Repeat with second layer of noodles, then sausage & the remaining ingredients... Then add more cheese for the top. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cheese is browned. You may email Erik Estrada at erikestrada@1st.net and let him know if you liked his recipe.
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Bush,
Democrats Clash Over Estrada Nomination
"Maybe
Democrats will figure out that this is not such a smart idea," said Sen.
Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a member of the Republican leadership.
