Pratter Out, Diamond In

Per a deal worked out by Sens. Specter and Casey and ratified by the White House, the nomination of Gene Pratter to the Third Circuit was withdrawn, and U.S. District Court Judge Paul Diamond was named in her place late today.The deal also includes the nomination today of four district court judges for Pennsylvania: C. Darnell Jones II, Mitchell Goldberg, Joel Slomsky, and Carolyn Short (renomination).Because Diamond and 4th Circuit nominee Glen Conrad are bipartisan picks, they are likely to be confirmed. As a result, there will be at least 12 circuit court confirmations in the 110th Congress.