Up-down vote gives Obama 20th 2011 judicial OK
11 Republicans vote against filibuster tactic
By Sean Lengell
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The Washington Times
8:05 p.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Senate confirmed President Obama’s 20th straight judicial nominee this year after nearly a dozen Republicans bucked their party leader and sided with Democrats Wednesday to allow an up-or-down vote on a controversial district court candidate.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican, had tried to filibuster a final vote on the nominee, John J. McConnell Jr., saying he was anti-business and unfit to hold a federal bench. The senator is no relation to the nominee.

But 11 Republicans, including some who spoke out against the nominee, said Mr. Obama - like his predecessor President George W. Bush - deserved the courtesy of having his judicial nominees receive straight up-or-down votes.

“I certainly wish that President Obama had nominated someone other the Mr. McConnell,â€