How Obama's Judicial Confirmation Record Compares to Bush's and Clinton's

As of this week, 62% of Obama's circuit and district court nominees have been confirmed, according to statistics compiled by the American Constitution Society. At the conclusion of their presidencies, George W. Bush's confirmation success was 70%; Clinton's was and 84%. Regardless of his ultimate confirmation percentage, Roll Call says Obama is making his mark throughout the judiciary with the diversity of his judicial appointments, beyond his appointment of the first Latina U.S. Supreme Court justice. Last week, the Senate confirmed the first openly gay federal judge.  And although the President withdrew his nomination of Goodwin Liu to the 9th circuit in the face of unyielding opposition, he has nominated half of the Asian-Americans on the federal bench. And his nomination for a judgeship in the Northern District of Oklahoma would be the only Native American on the federal bench.