While Mr. Johnson's efforts have been largely focused on arriving at a more credible group of nominees, they have not streamlined the complex, multistage procedure.
The Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, said, "I'm pleased the White House has chosen to work with us on this first group of nominees".
"I have no more questions for this incredibly highly qualified group of nominees," McCain said sarcastically during the hearing for Bell and Tsunis.
And then, at the close of the segment, he brought out a multiethnic group of children, and, singing "This could be you," replaced them with the equally diverse group of nominees for performances in musicals.
"We are receptive to meeting with the Rev. Jackson to explain how our nomination process works and to show the resulting diverse group of nominees it produced for the 54th Grammys," the statement said.
The first group of nominees, which may number more than two dozen, is part of an effort to fill the 94 vacancies on the federal bench while the Republicans still control the Senate.
A fresh group of nominees is considered each year because even candidates who were finalists in one year must be nominated again to be eligible for the prize in another year.
Yesterday, it was announced that the main French movie prize, the Prix Louis-Delluc (more like the National Book Awards than like the Oscars) was awarded to "Farewell My Queen" over a small group of nominees that included the vastly superior "Holy Motors".
The company also announced the first group of nominees for these new awards.
The first group of nominees, including thirteen former players, were inducted at a dinner later that year.
