It’s been six months since the inauguration of President Obama and he has nominated only three of seventy-nine open federal judge positions. This website lists each open position and its status. I heard that Obama would be more interested in federal judge positions than President Bush, because President and Mrs. Obama are both lawyers. But this supposed interest has not translated into speed in filling vacancies.

Judge Barbour took senior status three years ago and we are still waiting on the confirmation of a replacement. At the end of Bush’s term he nominated a Meridian lawyer, but the Senate never confirmed him. All indications are that Obama will nominate Jackson lawyer Carlton Reeves for the position, but no one seems to know when the nomination will occur.

On a related topic, by all accounts Judge Barksdale will take senior status with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the near future. While it’s natural to conclude that his replacement will be from Mississippi, I am hearing that there is a likelihood that the nomination will go to a Louisiana lawyer or judge recommended by Senator Mary Landrieu (D). This would be a real blow to Mississippi and much less likely to occur if one of Mississippi’s senators was a Democrat.