Posted on 09/24/2005 10:29:19 PM PDT by SmithL
As John G. Roberts Jr. sails toward almost certain confirmation as the 17th chief justice of the United States, President Bush faces conflicting pressures about how much race and sex should factor into his deliberations for filling the second vacancy on the high court.
With Bush poised to make another nomination as soon as this week, he is hearing growing demands to name a woman or minority to the vacancy created by the pending retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Republican political and legal strategists said.
Laura Bush twice has said that she would like to see a woman succeed O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court. A number of Latino group officials have publicly urged the president to name the first Hispanic to the high court.
But the pressure is also self-imposed by a president and White House that have made outreach to the Latino community among their most visible political priorities.
Hector Flores, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), said the Hispanic vote helped reelect Bush in November and that there could be political consequences for the Republicans if Bush twice passes over Hispanic judges in his first two court nominations.
"If the Republican Party wants to continue attracting voters to them, they're also going to have to deliver on the most crucial and important position in this country, which is the next vacancy," he said.
White House officials have said political calculations will have little influence on Bush's decision, but other GOP strategists said there is no way for the president and his advisers to insulate themselves from political factors. "Given that you're replacing the first female justice, issues of race and gender certainly have to be a factor at this point," one GOP official said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
If increasing diversity is a goal, then they should be urging Bush to appoint a conservative.
Gee, Bush'd better pay attention to those people who hate his guts - if he doesn't, he might not get re-elected.
Who the f died and made the media king?
Where does it say in the Constitution that the Supreme Court must maintain a balance? Huh?
They say it like its a fact. I want to throw things at the TV when they talk about "upsetting the balance" and "swing votes".
Its a damn court that is supposed to take its decisions from the Constitution. Not some wishy-washy locally elected board. How stupid do they think we are?
Nuff Said !
as if they'd complain if he picks some white panty-waisted liberal weenie-man. thank God that's not a possiblity.
No problem. Let's find a woman Hispanic judge who is a devout Catholic and disapproves of abortion, but announces she intends to judge independent of her personal opinions.
Let's see if she gets consensus.
Funny. 42 previous presidents fail to nominate a single hispanic, and its a crime when 43 doesn't do so, even when his term isn't over yet.
Tell them to pressure stevens into retiring. I'd be satisfied with Garza or Al Gonzalez as his replacement.
If increasing diversity is a goal, then they should be urging Bush to appoint a conservative
The dems should be blamed if they hadn't blocked estrada I'm sure he would have been the next pick.
Please.
The President will appoint anyone he damn well pleases no matter what pressure is brought by either Left or Right. Sure, groups can pressure him but he will not fold on choosing the person he believes best suited to sit on that Court. He'll do that irregardless of race/ethnicity/or sex.
If people haven't learned that about him by now, they never will.
LOL!
Manipulation by headline.
LOL!
These MENSA graduates haven't figured out that the time for the effectiveness of that game is long over.
What did they say about some dinosaurs? They had such primitive nervous systems that they weren't aware of mortal wounds until long after there was time to do anything about it?
The only "pressure" being applied is from the political losers. The most effective pressure is winning.
Sorry, Losers!
I've learned he's also fond of selecting buddies/cronies to head things like the Justice Dept or FEMA, and now there's someone's 30-year-old daughter tapped to head immigration enforcement.
Estrada or Janice should be the next pick.
The calm,sober(as a judge) demeanor of Roberts made (especially)Biden and Feinstein look so shallow.Feinstein couldn't even formulate a question.Repeal the 19th amendment!
If you want to address talking points to someone, direct it to those of the attitude that you should be indulged.
Whatever bot.
Wouldn't it be something if stevens retired and Bush went ahead and appointed Janice Brown for O'Connor's spot then placed somebody in the clone of Clarence Thomas to replace him. That would secure a good court for sure. I know i'm dreamin
Oh Pub:
Your so dang smart!
That's why we like you.
Remember I said "like" and not "adore".
It seems that every time you contribute,we all look around and feel we are all wearing clown suits.
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