Have We Seen the Last of the Hardiman Nomination?

As Congressional Quarterly recently reported, “Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter doggedly held a confirmation hearing Tuesday on the [Third Circuit] appellate court nomination of Thomas M. Hardiman, a futile gesture that was likely a harbinger of what awaits contested judicial nominees in the 110th Congress.” Judge Hardiman, who is currently a federal district court judge in Pittsburgh, was introduced by Senators Specter and Santorum of Pennsylvania and briefly questioned by Senator Specter. CQ predicted that "Democrats are unlikely to allow a lame-duck confirmation of Hardiman, and his fate will rest entirely in their hands next year — provided President Bush nominates him again — as will the disposition of Bush’s other judicial nominees."