Friday May 25 7:45 PM ET

Cox Asks Bush Not to Consider Him for Judgeship

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The shift in power to Democrats in the U.S. Senate prompted a conservative Republican congressman on Friday to ask President George W. Bush to no longer consider him for a federal judgeship.

Figuring it would be difficult if not impossible to be confirmed as a judge by a Democratic-led Senate, Rep. Christopher Cox of California said he plans to remain in the House of Representatives.

Cox announced his decision in letters to Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both California Democrats. His office released the letters on Friday night.

``I have asked the president not to consider me for a judicial nomination,'' Cox wrote. ``This will permit me to redouble my efforts in Congress.''

Bush had been expected to nominate Cox earlier this month to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals but pulled back pending further consultations with Boxer and Feinstein, who had both expressed concerns.

The Senate will soon be controlled by Democrats as the result of the decision on Thursday by Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont to leave the Republican Party and become an independent.

Democrats have said they plan to adhere to a long-time ''blue-slip policy,'' which allows any home-state senator of a prospective judge to block confirmation.

Cox wrote that while Feinstein had informed the White House that she did not intend to block him, he expected Boxer to do so.

In his letter to Boxer, Cox added, ``As a former member of the White House counsel's office and a current member of the congressional leadership, I will continue to oppose this anti-democratic abuse of the 'blue-slip policy.'''

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