Compromise localized

This week's U.S. Senate deal to block the nuclear option provides for confirmation votes for three of President Bush's federal appeals court nominees. As The Birmingham News reminds its readers today, included on that list is former Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor, who sits on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals thanks to a recess appointment last year.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., wasn't a party to the compromise, but that hasn't stopped him from taking this chance to remind everyone that he's been Pryor's chief Senate proponent for two years. A few liberal advocacy groups plan to lobby against Pryor, but he'll almost certainly win a lifetime spot on the bench.