Berger, Rose Recommended for Federal Bench

West Virginia's Democratic U.S. senators have advised President-elect Obama to appoint Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger and Ned Rose, a former state official and party stalwart, as U.S. district judges.

The Charleston Gazette reports that Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller have recommended the pair to vacancies in each of the state's federal court districts.

In the southern district that includes Charleston, "Berger would replace U.S. District Judge David A. Faber, who assumed senior status, a sort of semi-retirement, on Dec. 31," the article said. In the north,"Rose would replace U.S. District Judge Craig W. Broadwater, who died in December 2006."

The Charleston Daily Mail focuses on how the new Congress spells the end of bid by a GOP nominee, William J. "Bill" Powell, for the northern slot.

(Note: headline changed from "nominated to," as that may not be the correct term.)