More diverse Supremes

The White House has issued a big chart about Obama's federal judicial nominees. It makes three major points:

* Obama has been broadening the diversity of the nominees with a lot more gays, women, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans than his two predecessors. More diverse federal judges allow for a more diverse Supreme Court in the future.

* After a review of the confirmation process the chart shows Obama's nominees have been delayed a lot longer than those of Bush II. Only 15% of Bush's nominees waited more than 100 days while 78% of Obama's nominees have the same delay.

* Vacant judicial seats (10% of them) cost the country money and delays in justice. Just to detain the accused before trial (which is delayed) costs $1.4 billion in 2010. Even Chief Justice John Roberts urges a fix to this problem.