What good is a Democratic majority if it does a worse job of confirming your nominees than your Republican predecessor?
This question has probably crossed the mind of President Barack Obama as he has watched nominee after nominee of his not get approved by the Senate, even though Democrats are in charge. Republicans, although in the minority, have used delaying tactics to stall many of the nominees, particularly judicial appointees. Their strategy appears to be to leave court positions vacant in hopes that a Republican will be elected president in November.
Last year, the Senate confirmed 57% of Obama's appointments. From 2007 through 2009, however, the Democratic-controlled upper house approved 67% of President George W. Bush's selections.
-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky