Judging Mitt

The American Spectator ^ | 7/30/07 | Jennifer Rubin

[Valin]

Mitt Romney was credited with a political coup last Tuesday when it was announced that Wendy Long has joined his campaign as a senior legal advisor and vice chair of his National Faith and Values Steering Committee. Long is a familiar name to conservatives who follow the courts. She is chief counsel to the Judicial Confirmation Network, an organization of conservative lawyers that has played a critical role in the confirmation battles for appellate and Supreme Court judges including Sam Alito and John Roberts. She was a litigation partner with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and previously a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and to U.S. Appeals Court Judge Ralph Winter. We talked to her about her decision to back Romney, her thoughts about the future of the judiciary, and why even non-lawyers should care about the courts.

How did she come to select Romney? She candidly acknowledges that she always liked Fred Thompson, in part because his support of causes like Scooter Libby "warmed her heart," but ultimately concluded that Thompson could "not hold a candle to the Governor on intellect or leadership." She contends that Romney is "the constitutionalist" in the race, meaning he best understands and supports concepts of federalism and the commitment to originalism in interpreting the Constitution.

Long also explains that leadership "matters tremendously" in selecting a president. For her this includes "the ability to direct the many and far flung team" that a president needs to confirm judges and lead the Justice Department. She cites Romney's experience in business and running the Olympics and as Governor as proof he can "lead a large organization and then delegate" to competent managers.

[samtheman]

I like Fred... but I could live with, and support, Romney.

[Cicero]

Evidently a coup for Mitt.

On the other hand, once she chose to work for Romney and climbed on board, what else could she be expected to say?

I don’t think he showed the greatest of leadership abilities in Massachusetts. Romneycare? Gay marriage forced on the clerks and magistrates of the state by executive fiat? Not my idea of competent leadership.

[dirtboy]

She contends that Romney is "the constitutionalist" in the race,

Hardly. Romney's past support of Roe, his support of the assault weapons ban, and his signing of Romneycare shows he is a big-government type who doesn't understand federalism.

[JohnnyZ]

Mitt named a leading gay marriage advocate to a judgeship in Massachusetts.

Most of his nominations were liberals. A few were Republicans, which doesn't necessarily mean they weren't liberals too.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

As I have yet to hear that Fred has “Officially” entered the race.... GO MITT!!!!

[Valin]

Fred Thompson...I’m waiting and waiting and waiting.
Whens he going to get in? 11/2/08?

[Valin]

See reply 8

[samtheman]

Be patient. He knows what he’s doing. September 2007 is the latest conventional wisdom. That’s plenty early enough. The others all believed their own hype and jumped the gun.

[Valin]

Be patient

I don’t want to! (stamping my feet) I want what I want and I want it right now!

(seriously)
I’ve heard June, then July, now Sept., I’m starting to get a Mario Cuomo feeling.
I really hope I’m wrong, as a Fred candidcy would be a real + to the race, weather or not he wins.

[Rameumptom]

Mitt Ping

This was posted yesterday but is a key endorsement for Mitt you may be interested in reading more about.

[TAdams8591]

"How does she think Romney would do in appointing conservative justices? Long argues that Romney "is the only one I'm absolutely sure" will give us more nominees like Justices Alito and Roberts"

Absolutely agreed. JUDGES ARE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE!!!!

[redgirlinabluestate]

How does she think Romney would do in appointing conservative justices? Long argues that Romney "is the only one I'm absolutely sure" will give us more nominees like Justices Alito and Roberts. With these types of judges she believes we will continue the "incremental process" to return power to the people and allow policy decisions to be made democratically.

With the scare Chief Justice Roberts' seizure gave us today, it is another reminder of how important it is that the right person is choosing our future judges.

[curiosity]

Long argues that Romney "is the only one I'm absolutely sure" will give us more nominees like Justices Alito and Roberts.

She's right. The only two positive aspects of Bush's legacy have been his Supreme Court picks. Romney would do the same, plus he would be a far better leader in every other area.

[TAdams8591]

Love your tagline, RG!

[hoosierpearl]

I would love to know why the lady said that Romney was a constitutionalist and supported federalism. I haven’t found any information like that about Romney nor evidence of a history of that. In all the interviews I’ve seen him do, and he gives a very good interview, I’ve not heard this concept mentioned.

He’s not my first pick, I could vote for him, but I’m really not sure.

[JCEccles]

Bump

[curiosity]

Romney's healthcare plan, while not perfect, is something that conservatives can, and IMHO should support. FYI, the Heritage Foundation endorsed it.

As to gay marriage, you're misinformed. It was the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that imposed it on the commonwealth, not Governor Romney. You are misinformed if you believe he is responsible for it.