(from NY TIMES) Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, was just as warm as Senator Reid in his praise of Justice O'Connor - but blunter in threatening to resist a nominee he would find unpalatable.
Mr. Kennedy called Justice O'Connor "a mainstream conservative" and "a wise judge who served the nation and the Constitution well." Mr. Bush's choice for a replacement, Senator Kennedy went on, "affects each and every American and has the potential to impact every facet of constitutional law and the freedoms this country was founded upon."
"If the president abuses his power and nominates someone who threatens to roll back the rights and freedoms of the American people," Mr. Kennedy said, "then the American people will insist that we oppose that nominee, and we intend to do so."
"Mr. Kennedy called Justice O'Connor 'a mainstream conservative' and 'a wise judge who served the nation and the Constitution well.'"
Far better to receive Sen. Kennedy's abuse than his praise.