Droney approval a start

In a demonstration that at least some things can still get done in Washington, the U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed by an 88-0 vote the nomination of Christopher F. Droney of West Hartford to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit.

Judge Droney well deserves the honor and by all accounts will be a fair and deliberative jurist on this important appellate court. The court hears appeals from Connecticut, Vermont and New York. Historically, many of the most important and complicated cases find their way there and, not surprisingly, its members frequently end up in the conversation when vacancies appear on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Republicans, who have held up many of President Obama's judicial appointments, were apparently willing to overlook Judge Droney's strong Democratic bloodlines and focus instead on his impressive legal record. President Bill Clinton appointed the former West Hartford mayor a U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut in 1993. During his four-year tenure he led an aggressive prosecution effort aimed at warring gangs in the state's larger cities. President Clinton in 1997 nominated Judge Droney to the federal bench.

Attorneys who have litigated before Judge Droney in federal court widely supported his appointment to the federal bench, a testament to his attentiveness and evenhandedness.

As for those political bloodlines, Judge Droney is the brother of John Droney, the former Democratic state chairman who managed Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman's campaign when he upset Sen. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. in 1988. Fittingly, Sen. Lieberman recommended Judge Droney's appointment to the White House.

While the Droney confirmation is welcomed news, it remains troubling that so many judicial nominations remain stalled. Roughly two dozen Obama nominees continue to await consent.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary Committee has called for "Senate action (to) resolve the long-standing judicial vacancies that are delaying justice for so many Americans in our federal courts across the country."

Certainly, Democrats played the delay game when Republicans held sway in the Senate, but the problem seems to grow worse with each passing session. It was just a year ago that the administration had to withdraw the nomination of Judge Robert Chatigny for the 2nd Circuit because of Republican opposition. His grievous sin appeared to be thoroughness before approving the execution of serial killer Michael Ross, who had waived all further appeals, an unusual occurrence deserving of scrutiny.

The Senate should not allow ideological nuances to block the appointment of qualified federal judges.