DATE=05/03/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/JUDGES (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-289397

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says Senate Democrats are moving too slowly in approving his nominees to federal courts. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Bush says the delay endangers American justice.

TEXT: President Bush says there is a "vacancy crisis" in federal courts that he blames on Senate Democrats who have confirmed only half of his nominees over the last year.

Mr. Bush says Senators "must act for the good of the country" by approving more of his judge nominees.

/// BUSH ACT ///

All across America, the wait for justice is growing longer, the burden on federal judges is growing heavier, and the frustration level of ordinary Americans seeking justice is growing greater.

/// END ACT ///

The president says Senate Democrats are "endangering the administration of justice in America" by blocking his nominees.

Senate Democrats say many of the president's candidates are too conservative. Mr. Bush says all of his choices have been rated "well-qualified" or "qualified" by the American Bar Association, which he says is the self-declared "gold standard" of Senate Democrats.

The president says all of his nominees are "exceptional for their humanity and their integrity."

/// BUSH ACT ///

They are in the solid mainstream of American legal opinion, and they share a principled commitment to follow and apply the law, not to make law from the bench. But the Senate has confirmed only one-half of my nominees.

/// END ACT ///

The president says only nine of his 30 nominees to federal appeals courts have been confirmed. Of his first 11 nominees announced a year ago, only three have been confirmed. (SIGNED)

NEB/SKS/TW