In a recent government meeting, tensions flared over the nomination of Carla Campbell to the federal bench, marking the fourth instance where the White House has faced criticism from Republican senators regarding its nominee selection process. Senator Blackburn expressed her disappointment, asserting that Campbell's qualifications were inadequate and that her nomination was a result of a deal made with Judge Straunch, which she deemed inappropriate.
Blackburn highlighted Campbell's performance during her nomination hearing, describing it as one of the worst witnessed by the committee. She accused Campbell of dishonesty, particularly regarding her affiliation with Workers Dignity, a group Blackburn characterized as radical. Blackburn claimed that Campbell failed to disclose her ties to the organization and misled committee members during questioning.
Further complicating Campbell's nomination, Blackburn pointed to a $1,500 donation Campbell made to Odessa Kelly, a former congressional candidate known for making inflammatory statements about several senators, including accusations of racism and satanism. Blackburn argued that this financial support indicated a lack of judgment on Campbell's part, rendering her unsuitable for a judicial position.
The senator called for her colleagues to oppose Campbell's nomination, emphasizing the importance of selecting qualified candidates for lifetime judicial appointments. Blackburn lamented the lack of consultation from the White House, stating that they had proposed qualified Democratic candidates who were overlooked.
The meeting concluded with a series of votes on other judicial nominations, with Campbell's nomination facing significant opposition from Republican members. The committee ultimately moved forward with other nominees, reflecting ongoing partisan divisions over judicial appointments.