Posted on 09/28/2005 3:05:49 PM PDT by TitansAFC
SCOTUS: How to make Alberto Gonzales acceptable to the base. (Especially the Pro-Life base) Some random thoughts and more.......
As reported by NRO, et al:
"Speaking in Tallahassee yesterday, AG Alberto Gonzales sounded like someone seeking serious consideration as a Supreme Court nominee. He called Chief Justice Rehnquist a “hero” and suggested those who think he’d be significantly more moderate than other nominees are “ill-informed.”"
I would suggest that there are options open to the White House to make Gonzales acceptable, but they involve at least one bold move. If it is that important to nominate him, however, they should be compelled to make such a bold move - for old buddy Al, if for no other nominee.
Scenario One: Leaked document(s).
Arrange for a leaked document of Alberto Gonzales' where he openly criticizes Roe v. God and states something to the effect that it should be a "state's rights" issue. Other possible ideas along this line would be a memo where he states something to the effect that Thomas and Scalia have the right positions on the Roe issue, etc. You get what I mean - something that would "accidentally" reveal Al Gonzales to be more Pro-Life than we've ever had reason to believe before. More importantly, something that would let us know he'd overturn Roe v. God if given the chance.
Scenario Two: An outright public statement affirming that he would be a Pro-Lifer in the mold of outgoing Judge Rehnquist. Or something to that extent....
Either way, it involves taking a bold step. I know that the White House seems committed to campaigning on the promise of judges like Scalia and Thomas while being committed to actually making SCOTUS nominations as ambiguous as possible, but in the case of a very good and close friend, Al Gonzales, I would think they could afford one Supreme Court fight after promising a fight for the courts at every campaign stop in every city for three elections.
In other words, if you want Al, and you want the base "on board" and not in outright revolt, make it known - KNOWN - that Al Gonzales will be on our side on an important issue such as Roe v. God. Flush the stare decesis PC crap down the toilet for just one damn nominee and people like myself will go from fighting against Al Gonzales to a full-blown war to get him confirmed.
Just once be bold. If you want Al, be bold; stop fighting us (the base) if he's really on our side and take some behind-the-scenes (or hell, public scene) actions to prove to us that he IS on our side on these crucial issues. We'll face the Dems with you if you do that much.
But you're going to have to stop being afraid of the Roe v. God issue. You're going to have to, just once, nominate a candidate who's going to have to brave that storm before the Senate Inquisition if - IF - you want Al Gonzales on the Supreme Court for life.
So which is it, Mr. Gonzales? Constitutionally guaranteed right to abortion, stare decesis decision too old and controversial to overturn even if it's bad, or state's rights issue? A lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land may be at stake due to this question.
My sword is in the holster, Mr. President and Mr. Attorney General; give me (and social Conservatives like myself) a reason to go to war for Al Gonzales and I promise you that the payoff will be well worth a few weeks before the Senate Inquisition.
Really, how many times can they ask you about abortion, anyway? Plus, the tally is still 5-4 pro-Roe, so it's not like they can really fear it's overturning yet if - IF - you really are on our side on the issue, Mr. Gonzales.
True she is a bit ripe but great politics to have TWO blacks and another woman nominated by Republicans.
Just for the next election year.
Owens would be good but I don't know as much of Luttig.
Nothing will make a gun-grabber acceptable.
Ya said it...
Luttig and Owen, etc., are two Presidential election cycles younger
________________________________________
I think this is very important but of course women live on average almost two election cycles longer. That makes Owens a very good pick.
The only problem is that it is known how Gonzales ruled on parental consent in Texas. It's matter of rhetoric vs. reality. It will not fly with this nomination. If they want to try when or if Stevens or Ginsberg retire or dies, such a strategy might have a better chance of working.
There are other credible candidatges not connected to the President.
Let's not plant pro-AGAG documents to gloss over the architect of the Patriot Act, okay?
---"Nothing will make a gun-grabber acceptable."---
I've heard differing views on the gun thing. Someone here told me that the gun groups supported him as Attorney General, and would likely support him to SCOTUS. Can you post something here for me (and everyone)?
Thanks!
Gonzalez can say whatever he likes, and I wouldn't believe him for a minute. He is pro-abortion, pro-illegal immigration, pro-affirmative action, and generally speaking a dead loss. Who on earth could make him stick to any promises he might make now? He can lie his head off, and there would be no way to remove him.
Forget it. Bad idea
Stevens might retire; Darth Vader Ginsberg will die on the court before she lets a Republican get to nominate her replacement.
Stevens is 85, and would be 89 by the end of Bush's term. He's the most likely candidate to go next.
But I can always hope Souter, Breyer, or Kennedy are ready to move on.......
I swear, you're the best... I'd love to see them question you...lol.
AG doesn't want it..it's a life time position, he has a family, and has yet to make the big $$$...he goes into private practice in Texas in 2009....
http://www.gunowners.org/a071105.htm
Here's a link to a press release from Gun Owners of America. In earlier discussions of him, from before Roberts was nominated, the FR gun folks seemed pretty solidly against him.
---"Forget it. Bad idea"---
As I've said, there are much better candidates. I was just opining on how Bush MIGHT - MIGHT - be able to soften the hosility from the base towards Gonzales.
I'll say it again: give me Luttig (50-51 years old, and a known, solid Conservative).
Thanks!
I finally have an anti-Gonzales link from gun voters!
Thanks again!
Well, the logical reasoning would be that said President, acting in the best interest and support of millions of Americans, chooses the candidate they want.
Not the other way around.
Pleased I could help. I googled "Alberto Gonzales Second Amendment." If you run the search, you'll see other comments; I chose the GOA link because it's a major, nonpartisan organization.
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