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A Wynner for federal court of appeals

President Obama has nominated two North Carolina judges to vacant seats on the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Richmond.

Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., made the announcement minutes ago.

They are Jim Wynn of the N.C. Court of Appeals and  Albert Diaz of the N.C. Business Court in Charlotte.

I don't know much about Diaz, but Wynn is a very deserving choice. He's certainly distinguished himself for many years in our state court system and as a high-ranking U.S. military judge.

He was nominated for this same position by President Clinton but blocked by the late Sen. Jesse Helms -- not one of Helms' better ideas.

This time the confirmation process should proceed smoothly. I would expect Republican Sen. Richard Burr to join Hagan in supporting Wynn.

Addendum, 1:10 p.m., a statement by Sen. Burr:

“The President has nominated two North Carolinians with distinguished backgrounds to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judges Albert Diaz and James Wynn.  I greatly respect the fact that both of these men have served our nation in uniform, and I look forward to working with them as the confirmation process unfolds.  Since coming to the Senate, I have fought for greater representation for North Carolina on the United States Court of Appeals, and I plan to continue that fight for the people of North Carolina.  I am pleased that the President has recognized North Carolina’s historic under-representation on this important court, and has taken action to address it. "

Burr certainly shouldn't be expected to pronounce an immediate judgment, but he sounds very positive. And Wynn and Diaz aren't suprise choices.