Further Blurring the Line Between Law and Politics

Conservative groups blast GOP for forcing resignation of top judicial nominations strategist.

"If you had told me this is how this would all end, I would not have believed you," said Kay Daly, president of Coalition for a Fair Judiciary. "This is upside-down, backwards Alice in Wonderland."

Conservatives accused Mr. Frist and Mr. Hatch of abandoning their most effective tactician in the continuing struggle over President Bush's judicial nominations.

"It's disgusting," said Jeff Mazzella, with the Center for Individual Freedom. "Senator Frist and Senator Hatch bowed to the Democrats."

"This is like ringing the dinner bell and throwing chum in the water," said Mrs. Daly. "We've just thrown one of our most valuable people overboard, and Orrin Hatch couldn't have done it fast enough."