NARAL Pro-Choice America: Judge John Roberts an Unsuitable Choice for Supreme Court Justice

NARAL Pro-Choice America ^ | July 20, 2005

[RWR8189]

Washington, DC – NARAL Pro-Choice America, the nation’s leading advocate for personal privacy and a woman’s right to choose, has announced that it will oppose Judge John Roberts, President Bush’s nominee for Supreme Court Justice, John Roberts, is a divisive nominee with a record of seeking to impose a political agenda on the courts, rather than a unifier Americans could trust to preserve our personal freedoms like the right to privacy and a woman's right to choose.

“Americans deserve a nominee who respects this country’s culture of freedom and personal responsibility, and who understands the profound effect his decisions have on our everyday lives,” said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “We are extremely disappointed that President Bush has chosen such a divisive nominee for the highest court in the nation, rather than a consensus nominee who would protect individual liberty and uphold Roe v. Wade. President Bush has consciously chosen the path of confrontation, and he should know that we, and the 65% of Americans who support Roe, are ready for the battle ahead.”

Some of the lowlights of Judge Robert’s background include:

• As Deputy Solicitor General, Roberts argued in a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court (in a case that did not implicate Roe v. Wade) that “[w]e continue to believe that Roe was wrongly decided and should be overruled…. [T]he Court’s conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental right to an abortion… finds no support in the text, structure, or history of the Constitution.”
• In Rust v. Sullivan, the Supreme Court considered whether Department of Health and Human Services regulations limiting the ability of Title X recipients to engage in abortion-related activities violated various constitutional provisions. Roberts, appearing on behalf of HHS as Deputy Solicitor General, argued that this domestic gag rule did not violate constitutional protections.
• Roberts, again as Deputy Solicitor General, filed a “friend of the court” brief for the United States supporting Operation Rescue and six other individuals who routinely blocked access to reproductive health care clinics, arguing that the protesters’ behavior did not amount to discrimination against women even though only women could exercise the right to seek an abortion.
• The Court was so accustomed to the Solicitor General and the Deputy Solicitor General arguing for the overturn of Roe that during John Roberts’s oral argument before the Supreme Court in Bray, a Justice Asked, “Mr. Roberts, in this case are you asking that Roe v. Wade be overruled?” He responded, “No, your honor, the issue doesn’t even come up.” To this the justice said, “Well, that hasn’t prevented the Solicitor General from taking that position in prior cases.”

Contact:

Ted Miller, 202.973.3032

[RWR8189]

I'm liking Judge Roberts more and more...

[John Filson]

Enemy of my (people's) enemy is a friend in deed.

[digger48]

maybe if we can get him to field dress a black baby while testifying to Committee, these Godless freaks will learn to like him.

[msnimje]

Does anybody believe 65% of Americans support Roe v Wade?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Where's the french-fry case?

[HiTech RedNeck]

65% of Americans may not want an utter ban on abortion, but that's about as close as it gets.

[msnimje]

Where's the french-fry case?

Is that the one where he ruled women who had abortions were not entitled under the Constitution to French Fries?

[RWR8189]

Well if NARAL said it, I believe it without asking any questions.

</sarcasm>

[Arkie2]

Wow. Good news indeed!

[SDGOP]

I beleive that a majority of americans are opposed to abortion but do want some forms of it.. ie the big three rape,incest,health of mother. But they phrase the question into such a way that most americans beleive that roe v wade being overturned is a complete ban on abortion which won't happen it just becomes a state issue. I think even the reddest of red states will pass abortion laws(assuming roe is overturned) on the basis of no abortions except rape, health, incest. So basically no more abortions for irresponsible people who get pregnant and want a way out.

[scott says]

I'm watching(gagging) the "rally" now on c-span...how pathetic. You know I can't even get emotionally outraged listening to these lost pathetic souls? How truly sad, Imagine if your whole life was making sure babies were exterminatted, I pray for this fools, how lost and twisted they are, wow....I really can't believe these monsters....I really am saddened by there stupidity and ignorance,I pray for them, but know they are my enemy, I hope they will awaken and repent. but if not, I am fully prepared to destroy these fools...its their "choice"....

[goldstategop]

The Solicitor General represents the government's views on cases. Its not necessarily the official setting forth his own personal views. We don't know Judge Roberts own views on the issues he litigated as Solicitor General - to what extent does he agree with them. We'll probably find out in due course.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[nopardons]

We know his wife's views well...she's anti-abortion.

[Bush gal in LA]

I just watched it. What gets me about these people is the anger, hatred and just plain evil look I see in their eyes. They look vicious, like they want to kill somebody !

[gakrak]

Gosh, if these radical nuts are against Roberts, I know I'm going to really like him on the Court. Amen.

[gakrak]

"They look vicious, like they want to kill somebody !"

Isn't that what they do as abortionists?
It's all about killing babies. Amen.

[scott says]

Yeah they want to kill babies. They are truly demonic, evil monsters. Just look and listen to them...your instincts are correct.Reasonable people can have an honest, spirited debate about abortion, { I am aditmately pro-life} but I can somewhat understand and sympathize with a "pro-choice" person...with these lunatics there is no reason and civility...just look and listen...demonic blood thirsty ghouls...

[capt. norm]

I wonder if they had this (and many more) news release on their hard drive, all ready to go, for months.

Or perhaps they have "boiler plate" denouncements where they can just fill in the name, etc. of the selected evil conservative.

[aardvark1]

I agree. He sounds like the perfect choice for me according to this account

[wingman1]

“Americans deserve a nominee who respects this country’s culture of freedom and personal responsibility..."

It's odd that one in favor of abortion rights could advocate for personal responsibility. It is a LACK of personal responsibility that leads one to the crossroads of "choice".