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nominees, not Long, because he’s compiling all the lists of nominees. Andy Stanton has veto power.”
    â€œNot according to the president,” replied Penneymounter confidently. “We have a deal. I agreed not to block Golden’s nomination for AG as long as the White House clears appellate and Supreme Court nominees with me and the ranking Republican on Judiciary. If we both sign off, they are reported out of committee. If either of us objects, they never see the light of day.” He smiled proudly.
    â€œThe White House agreed to that?” asked Love incredulously.
    â€œNot the White House,” Penneymounter answered. “The president. To my face.”
    â€œWell, I don’t trust the man,” said Love, placing her hands on her hips.
    â€œTrust, but verify,” smiled Penneymounter. “That’s my motto.”
    â€œLong is a total charlatan and a fraud,” Love shot back, her eyes aflame. “He’ll be whatever he has to be, say whatever he has to say. No one else will tell you this because they haven’t got the ovaries. But I’m your friend. Joe, you’ve lost major support on the left for giving Golden a pass. If you don’t man up and fight Long, you can kiss our support good-bye in Iowa and New Hampshire.” She paused. “Some people are even discussing asking Stanley to remove you as chairman.”
    Penneymounter physically recoiled, visibly stunned by Love’s threat. Everyone in town knew he was planning to run for the Democratic presidential nomination four years hence.
    â€œChristy, I can’t believe this!” He screwed up his face. “I’ve been the best friend women have ever had in the Senate. I sponsored the Violence Against Women Act and got it through Congress. I got the Ledbetter bill passed. I carried your bills when no one else wanted them to see the light of day.” The veins in his neck bulged. “You know that.”
    â€œIt’s appreciated, Joe. But then you gave Golden a pass.”
    â€œI’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Penneymounter said dismissively. “Forget Keith Golden. My deal is with the president, and it will prevent him from choosing nominees that would be disastrous. You and your feminist friends should be thanking me, not reading me the riot act.” His face brightened. “Besides, I didn’t have the votes to defeat Golden. He’s a member of the club—senators are reluctant to take on one of their own. You know that. So I negotiated away what I didn’t have to gain something we need.”
    â€œA member of the club ?” Love shot back sarcastically, her lips curled with contempt. “That didn’t stop Sam Nunn from taking out John Tower. It didn’t stop Pat Leahy from trying to block John Ashcroft. And you talk to me about the club ? Joe, you’ve been inside the beltway too long. You didn’t even put up a fight .”
    â€œWoah, hold on just a minute!” Penneymounter said, his voice rising in anger. “We wear the same jersey, remember? I’m on your team. I don’t need any lectures about how to stop right-wing, extremist judges. I’ve done it my entire career, sister.”
    â€œAlright, then show me,” Love said, throwing down the gauntlet. “There are sixteen vacancies on the appellate courts and thirty-four district court vacancies,” Christy said. “Show me how many of those you can stop.” She raised up on her heels, pushing her face into Penneymounter’s until he could feel her breath on his chin. “And if there’s a Supreme Court vacancy, who do you think Long is going to listen to—you or Andy Stanton?”
    â€œThe White House can’t roll me, Christy.” He let out an expletive. “Andy Stanton’s a blowhard.” His face hardened and his black eyes darted. “And you know why there are so many vacancies? Because I slow-walked Republican