WH Rejects Gay Judicial Nominee

The White House has rejected the nomination of Daniel Alter, a New Yorker would have become the first openly gay man to sit on the federal bench, because of comments he made about the Pledge of Allegiance and Christmas that were considered anti-Christian.

According to the Washington Blade, the White House departed from tradition by failing to follow the guidance of the senator from the state where the vacancy existed. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York had recommended Alter to serve as a judge for the U.S. district court n New York in February.

"But informed sources told the Washington Blade that the White House rejected Alter's nomination because of remarks he reportedly made regarding a case challenging inclusion of the phrase 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance," reports the Blade. "In addition, the White House reportedly objected to remarks that Alter made suggesting that merchants not wish shoppers 'Merry Christmas' during the holidays."

The comments are attributed to Alter in articles in Cybercast News Service and The New Republic.

In September, Schumer recommended J. Paul Oetken to fill the position. Oetken, a faculty member at Fordham University, and the General Counsel for Cablevision Systems Corporation is also openly gay.