Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green is but a couple steps away from his dream job; a federal judgeship for the Western District of New York. Count me among that vast majority of folks who wish him the best and hold him in very high regard. For that very reason I was rather shocked about what I heard a couple of weeks ago.
As a self-proclaimed “political geek” I've been making calls and generating contacts in D.C. for many, many weeks in anticipation of Green's being called to the Senate Judiciary for his nomination hearing which occurred on Tuesday. My primary interest in all of this was the political domino effect Green’s potential (if not likely) departure would have on this fall’s election when the D.A.’s Office is on the ballot.
Last week when I first heard Green’s name was called and his nomination hearing was scheduled 13WHAM News broke the news online and on the air.
But is his confirmation as a judge the "sure thing" we all expect it to be?
Typically once a nominee has reached this stage in the process it is a mere formality before he is approved by the Judiciary, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and patted on the back by the U.S. President before his robe is fitted. I still expect and anticipate that happening, but keep this little tidbit in mind.
In my many calls before his hearing was scheduled I found sources among the Senate Judiciary’s Minority (GOP) members telling me; “We still have some concerns about his confirmation and we’ve expressed those concerns to him. If Mr. Green wishes to discuss those with you we suggest you ask him but we will not.”
I was shocked. I’ve had a few phone conversations with D.A. Green over the last couple months and despite his desire to keep a low-profile while this process unfolds he’s been more than willing to answer my inquiries and call if I requested. His message is sincere and consistent; “I come to work every day to serve Monroe County, I love this job, and I have no intention of leaving this job for anything but a federal judgeship.”
After hearing this from sources in D.C. I have made efforts to reach out to Green. We played some email tag and in the end I had to email him what I heard and ask if he wished to discuss with me. Understandably I have not heard back and I can’t blame him one bit. This confirmation process is as delicate as it gets and unlike elected offices this is not something that is “played out in the media” nor should it be in my opinion.
Perhaps the GOP members were simply trying to play some politics as Green’s biggest supporter (U.S. Senator Charles Schumer) has suggested in the past. Perhaps they wanted to plant this in a reporter’s mind and see if I’d run with it. I didn’t for more than two weeks; it’s a rather subjective statement, “confirmation” is difficult to come by, and I questioned its motives. But the tone of Tuesday’s nomination hearing has many wondering if Green’s confirmation is as sure a thing as we all once thought.
I’m inclined to say Green will be confirmed by the Senate but what I heardis still bouncing around in my brain and I’m trying to figure out why I heard it.
Sean Carroll, Reporter
