By Dee-Ann Durbin
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats blocked three more of President Bush's judicial nominees Thursday in a series of votes forced by Republicans even though they knew they would lose.

Through procedural votes, the Senate refused to consider three Michigan jurists Bush wanted to put on the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Republicans needed 60 votes to advance the nominees but could not come up with more than 54 on behalf of any of them.

President Bush called the action an "obstructionist tactic."

"The Senate minority's unfair treatment of these nominees demonstrates the breakdown in the judicial confirmation process," Bush said in a statement issued Thursday evening in Illinois, where the president was traveling.

"I again urge the Senate - Republicans and Democrats alike - to put an end to the partisan politics of the past and ensure judicial nominees are given the timely up-or-down votes they deserve."