Charles M. Thompson, a lawyer in Pierre, South Dakota, is the Eighth Circuit member on the ABA committee. Pertinent facts:

1. Thompson has contributed heavily to South Dakota Democrats. His record of support for Tom Daschle goes back at least to 1994, and in the 2004 election cycle Thompson gave $3500 to Daschle and his political action committee. In that same election cycle, Thompson gave $3000 to the House campaign of Stephanie Herseth. He has also contributed $1500 to Senator Tim Johnson.

2. The timing of Thompson’s selection to the committee is interesting. Thompson joined the committee in August 2004, right in the midst of Daschle’s re-election campaign. A reasonable observer would expect that Thompson would have been predisposed to assist Daschle’s unprecedented obstruction of judicial nominees.

3. Thompson is a prominent trial lawyer in South Dakota. He formerly was president of the state trial lawyers association.