Good for Obama, Bad for Huntsman

No "false equivalence" from the White House today, in blaming the Senate minority for blocking, by threat of filibuster, yet more judicial nominations:

I am deeply disappointed that a minority of the United States Senate has blocked the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.... Today, her nomination fell victim to the Republican pattern of obstructionism that puts party ahead of country. Today's vote dramatically lowers the bar used to justify a filibuster, which had required "extraordinary circumstances."  The only extraordinary things about Ms. Halligan are her qualifications and her intellect.

Currently, Senate Republicans are blocking 20 other highly qualified judicial nominees, half of whom I have nominated to fill vacancies deemed "judicial emergencies" by the Administrative Office of the Courts.

And remember back when Jon Huntsman bragged about his "call me crazy" status for believing scientists about climate change? Ah, those were the days -- before he apparently sensed that his chance for the Bachmann->Perry->Cain->Newt->??? conservative vote might be at hand. See the unfortunate details at TPM and from Molly Ball of the Atlantic. (And when I get around to it, something further about the big Obama speech today.)