I recently had a very cordial meeting with Mr. Clifton; however, I was not consulted nor am I aware of the selection process followed or criteria considered to make this nomination.

For the past two years, I have supported the nomination of another Hawaii resident to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit who was selected after significant consultation with Hawaii's legal community and after a thorough nonpartisan process. He has the support of the Hawaii State Bar Association, whose Board of Directors characterized him as "the best of the best" of the Hawaii legal community.

As the sponsor of the law requiring the appointment of a resident from each state to the Court of Appeals circuit with jurisdiction for that state, I have offered to work with the White House in a bipartisan manner to bring well-qualified individuals from Hawaii to the Federal bench.

I look forward to a thorough review of Mr. Clifton's experience and qualifications. I welcome the mana'o of Hawaii's legal community. Pending this review, I will reserve judgment and further comment.