Bush facing Senate barrier to judges

BY TOM BRUNE
Newsday Washington Bureau

November 13, 2006

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush's aim of creating an unwavering conservative majority on the Supreme Court faces higher hurdles now that Democrats control the Senate, but he still could achieve his goal before leaving office, some activists and experts say.

With a slim 51-vote margin and control of the judicial confirmation process, Democratic Senate leaders can stall and delay but likely cannot count on all senators in the caucus to vote against an appealing conservative nominee.