Jim Matheson & the Obama Administration's Record of Using Nominations for Political Gain

McHugh, as the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, was qualified for the job he was offered. So was Sestak, a former admiral, if he was offered the Navy Secretary post. Their qualifications, however, do not make these deals squeaky clean.

So, if the Obama White House would nominate people to be Navy secretary or Army secretary for political gain, couldn't it do the same for a federal judgeship?

We're simply left to wonder. As Charles Krauthammer said on Fox News last night:

I'm agnostic about this one, Matheson. Yes he has all qualities to be on the court. On the other hand, I'm sure his consideration has been going on for a while, but there are others under consideration. There are hundreds of lawyers and judges who want to be on the circuit. A lot of the time it's a lifetime appointment.

And it's a step up to the Supreme Court eventually, or at least it's the channel, the way that you get there. And it is odd that the timing, it should all happen right now.