One Thing California Still Does Well: Judicial Confirmations

After Goodwin Liu was confirmed as a member of the California Supreme Court, he looked like he couldn't believe it. He expressed surprise not as his confirmation -- but at its speed.

Liu's nomination to a federal appellate court was held up for more than a year, and a Republican filibuster blocked even a confirmation vote (even though he had the support of the Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate).

In California, Liu's confirmation took all of a month.

What's the difference? The confirmation process is not nearly as politicized here. The Commission on Judicial Appointments -- which includes the elected Attorney General and two top judges -- has been set up to handle the work. The questions tend to focus on resume and qualification, rather than hot-button ideological questions.

In this area at least, Washington may have something to learn from California.

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