Posted on 11/01/2005 10:42:59 PM PST by indianrightwinger
Democrats Try to Use Alito Row To Tip Scales in Midterm Election By JEANNE CUMMINGS Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL November 2, 2005; Page A6
The battle lines over the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court began emerging Tuesday.
Democrats are hoping to use his conservative record as a federal appeals court judge in Philadelphia to drive a wedge between Republicans and swing voters who could be critical in next year's midterm elections.
"If kowtowing to the extremists in his own party is necessary for [President Bush's] political survival, and it may be in the short run, we have to make sure that the moderate voters who decide elections see what's going on and who is actually calling the shots for Bush now," says Jim Jordan, a Democratic consultant.
Republicans hope to cast Judge Alito as a much-needed tempering voice in a judiciary that has been running roughshod over religious liberties and community values.
Judge Alito's lengthy legal résumé and cool demeanor could also undercut the Democrats' campaign. "He seems a very humble, disciplined public servant," says Scott Reed, a Republican adviser. The intense reactions on both sides illustrate the stakes both sides see in replacing Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the court's swing vote, and the political opportunities in turning the confirmation process into a partisan brawl.
President Bush nominated Judge Alito after the Republican Party's conservative base waged an intense campaign to force the withdrawal of White House Counsel Harriet Miers, who was deemed unqualified and insufficiently conservative.
Democrats believe the president's bow to his base and Judge Alito's conservative stances will turn off independent and moderate voters and tip the scale in close races next fall, including Florida Democrat Sen. Bill Nelson's expected tough re-election.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Bull.
He is a moderate... just not in the sense we've become used to the word, lately. By an objective standard, O'Connor is a flaming-, left-wing nut job, calling for obeisance to international law and defining the purpose of government as to function as a sex cult for healing through exploring deviant practices. So, although Roberts is way to the right of O'Connor, he is still a moderate. Of course, by that defniition, Renquist is also a moderate.
Interesting violation of stare decisis. Think we should tell Roberts?
Right, and then we come to the issue of gay marraige, which has been imposed by liberal judges.
Hmmm... I never tought about that, but I do believe you are correct... It looks like there will necessarily be many 4-4 decisions. GOP has to make this point when arguing for a fast hearing.
the 2006 elections? How long do they think people's attention span is? And if they delay it that long, they will be viewed as even more obstructionist than they are.
I've always considered it the "Potter Stewart seat." :0)
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