WASHINGTON — A leading Democratic senator asked President Bush on Wednesday to rescind the nomination of Judge Laurence H. Silberman as co-chairman of a commission to investigate intelligence failures in Iraq, saying the judge's partisan views would taint the inquiry.
Nevada Sen. Harry Reid attacked Silberman's appointment, saying in the Senate that "it's been acknowledged by most everyone that he is one of the most partisan people in our community."
The White House quickly rejected Reid's request and defended Silberman, the U.S. Court of Appeals senior judge who will co-chair the commission, along with former Virginia Sen. Charles S. Robb, a moderate Democrat.
"The president stands by the appointment of this highly qualified, highly respected senior judge," said White House spokeswoman Erin Healy.
And Silberman spoke out on the criticism, telling The Times that he is principled and impartial and denying specific claims made by a one-time conservative ally turned critic.
Silberman said suggestions that he lacked independence were particularly galling. "My whole career is one of independence and integrity," he said. "I have been confirmed six times by the U.S. Senate without a negative vote."
In calling for Silberman's removal, Reid cited the judge's role in overturning the conviction of Marine Col. Oliver L. North, his relationships with Bush administration officials and his role on and off the bench dealing with matters concerning President Clinton's extramarital activity.
"If this commission is going to do its job, it must be free of political influence," Reid said. "It must be above even the appearance of political bias."
In an interview Wednesday, Silberman, as evidence of independence, cited principled disagreements with Republicans throughout his career.
They included a clash with Nixon aide Charles Colson in 1972, when Silberman had to fight to hire a black man as the Labor Department's regional director for New York state. Silberman was subsequently pressed to resign.
Shortly before President Nixon's resignation, Silberman resisted a presidential effort to halt the prosecution of a Nixon friend and former Cabinet member, John B. Connally. The move was abandoned after Silberman threatened to resign.
On Wednesday, he lashed out at David Brock, the once-conservative author who wrote a tell-all book, "Blinded by the Right," that included two dozen references to the judge and an equal number to his wife.
