Posted on 10/29/2005 5:23:51 PM PDT by Halfmanhalfamazing
WASHINGTON - Rebounding from the failed nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, President Bush is poised to select between two of the nation's leading conservative federal appeals court judges - both experienced jurists with deep backgrounds in constitutional law - for what promises to be a bruising Senate confirmation battle.
With an announcement expected Sunday or Monday, administration officials have narrowed the focus to Judges Samuel Alito of New Jersey and Michael Luttig of Virginia, sources involved in the process said. Both have sterling legal qualifications and solid conservative credentials, and both would set off an explosive fight with Senate Democrats, who are demanding a more moderate nominee to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I assume that the reason we have not heard from McCain lately is that he wants to annoy no one until his campaign kicks off. I was very surprised to not hear him on the Fitz indictments.
That was sarcasm. I'd bet heavy money on it. Either that or cover for a future SCOTUS nomination. He's too much of a strict constructionist for it to mean anything else. Also, I've heard that Judge Luttig does have a sarcastic streak.
Super meant it had been ruled on the same way twice. Granted, it was a silly term.
Well said.
Man, Rove is truly amazing! First he gets Miers nominated, knowing that there will be a firestorm. Then he gets Miers withdrawn knowing that the base is anxious to unite behind are true conservative. This is brilliant! He managed to pull this off while fighting off Fitz and an indictment. Truly amazing!
I suspect that maybe Luttig tossed it out planning that he might be selected for SCOTUS, to deflect and confuse.
Even Crissy Matthews was almost endorsing Ted Olsen. Olsen is superb. The only drawback would be his age. 65.
Nothing makes me as happier pro gun commercials being ran against rats.
Based on your other comments on this thread, it sounds more like you don't want him confirmed, and I think that may cloud your judgment a little.
"Actually, I called President Bush and demanded that it be Cox of CA"
Didn't we learn with Earl Warren that former legislators cannot be trusted not to legislate from the bench?
"Chaffee, Snowe, Collins and Specter are lost causes."
Is there some way to 'punish' errant Senators? Like remove their committee positions? I checked again, and as a defense attorney, I know we can't shoot them.
If he doesn't pick a woman, the left will go nuts! I love it.
Butter the popcorn, there is going to be a brawl and we have ringside seats! Watching them go nuts will be as enjoyable as the moral victory.
DITTO! BRING-UM ON!!!!
Was it part of an official opinion that he wrote? If it was, I'd find it hard to believe that it's sarcasm.
There is a big difference between Luttig and Alito.
Alito is an incrementalist like Roberts.
Luttig is a first rate kick your ass movement conservative that would vote with with Scalia and Thomas.
Dems would go nuts about Luttig while they would be happy Bush capituated to them with Alito.
Anybody that wants the bad liberal precedents overturned wants Luttig. Alito will uphold all the bad liberal precedents.
If Bush is looking to please conservatives he will pick Luttig. If Bush wants another Roberts who in the long run will anger conservatives he will pick Alito.
Roberts should not be the model for supreme court picks for conservatives. He is brilliant and affable but he is an incrementalist. He will not move the court like we want to see it. Alito would be the same way. We want a movement conservative like Luttig.
My prediction is Bush gives in to the dems and picks Alito who they say they won't block. Conservatives will be happy in the short term but ten years from now neither Alito or Roberts will be a conservative idol like Scalia. Luttig would be every bit the conservative legend that Scalia is.
It's a pretty good bet they are floating whomever it will be right now.
"If the president decides to go with a noted conservative judge, and you're looking at someone of the caliber of Sam Alito or Mike Luttig, then you're talking about people at the top tier of constitutional jurisprudence," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice.
Sekulow is close to the administration, was on the radio Friday promoting Miers, Gonzales and Thompson the last time we went through this. That he is specifically mentioning the names of Luttig and Alito is substantial.
They are still trying to play the game of “Old Maid.”
Of course I would support Alito enthusiastically. He is a brilliant and accomplished and provactive man. I don't like that one opinion, if the characterization is true, which it may not be, but so what? But I do know the political effect, if true, and it is toxic, stripping Congress of its will, and ability to control machine guns. That's toxic, just toxic.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.