Southwick nomination cleared for final vote

The Clarion-Ledger, 8/3/7

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a moderate Democrat from California, crossed party lines Thursday to save the nomination of Mississippi Judge Leslie Southwick to the federal bench from an expected rejection by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Because of Feinstein’s support, the nomination of Southwick, a retired Mississippi Court of Appeals judge, for a seat on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was approved by the panel.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate where opponents have said they would seek to derail it through a filibuster or extended debate.