Hatch: There is no Thurmond Rule

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch today disputed the existence of a rule that would prevent hearings on judicial nominees during the run-up to a presidential election. Hatch told The Salt Lake Tribune: "There is no Thurmond Rule, that's just [Vermont Democratic Senator Patrick] Leahy popping off."

The Trib story says a confirmation hearing has been scheduled for D.C. Circuit nominee Thomas Griffith, BYU's general counsel. No date, however, has been given.