Posted on 07/21/2005 2:30:52 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
WASHINGTON Senate Democrats, after months of preparing for a full-scale fight with President Bush over a Supreme Court nominee, found themselves Wednesday instead weighing whether or how to battle his choice of John G. Roberts Jr.
The problem Democrats face is that Roberts, a well-known Washington lawyer before becoming a federal appellate court judge in 2003, appears to be more conservative than they would like but less ideological than they had feared.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) set the tone the day after Bush selected Roberts, taking pains to describe the nominee as an accomplished lawyer and a "very nice man," but withholding judgment on whether he deserved to serve as one of the country's nine most powerful judges.
"Ever since Justice [Sandra Day] O'Connor announced her retirement [July 1], I have called on the president to choose a nominee who can unite the country, not divide it," Reid said. "It remains to be seen whether John Roberts fits that description. I hope that he does, and I look forward to giving him the opportunity to make his case to the American people."
Several Democrats complained that Roberts had served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for only two years, and therefore had a limited judicial record. As a result, they were considering requesting copies of material he wrote when he served as deputy solicitor general in the Justice Department under President George H.W. Bush.
...."That's what's called hitting below the belt, because they know that no self-respecting administration would give away confidential materials," Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said. "I hope they won't play the same cheap old tricks on this."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
[Other title of article- "Democrats Forgo Discord on Court Pick, at Least for Now"
The thread title is from the LA Times web site's front page.]
To use a lawyers briefs or work papers from cases he works on as evidence of his beliefs is to say that all Divorce Lawyers oppose successful marriages.
The Dems are going to try to stall the process any way they can. I bet they try a Bolton and rathar than criticize Roberts directly, they'll demand documents that are naturally presidential privilage.
Headline: Democrats declare "Hudna" on Supreme Court pick.
"Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said. "I hope they won't play the same cheap old tricks on this."
"
Now there's some wishful thinking.
These hearings are going to be fun.
John G. Roberts will shine as he starts shooting down LIBERALS like fish in a barrel.
Let them keep digging their own graves.
Orrin with his, "Here they go again!" imitation.
I think I know.
All you have to do is read some of the postings at the wacko leftist blogger DailyKos and the responses to understand the dilemma for the democratic party. The liberal leftist wacko Dean / Boxer / Kennedy / Schumer / MoveOn.org / Michael Moore / Hillary CLinton blame America wing of their party all want to oppose Judge Roberts no matter what. The 'moderate' democrats in 'red' states up for re-election next year know their political future is on the line when it comes to deciding on whether to participate in being an obstructionist like Daschle. It's going to be fun to watch!
They can only get away with their same old cheap tricks, Orrin, if you let them. It's long past time to put the interests of the United States before Senate collegiality.
Wouldn't that be a violation of the client/lawyer priviledge?
That won't stop the msm/LIBERALS from making headlines to give the appearance he's hiding something.
Well, I'd like to know who the gutless, anonymous Dem is. Someone should get Hilliary on the record.
Hatch always talks tough at the start of a fight, and then wimps out. Never count your Hatches before they chicken.
Hillary!?
She's afraid to surface.
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