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Who Caused Alito's Wife to Cry?
Human Events Online ^ | 1/11/6 | Robert B. Bluey

Posted on 01/11/2006 7:24:25 PM PST by SmithL

A group cleverly called People for the Alito Way says the Associated Press wrongly characterized its an episode at Samuel Alito's hearing today that left his wife in tears.

The AP story, which followed an exclusive from the Drudge Report, placed the blame on a Republican senator rather than committee Democrats -- a fact the conservative group says is just plain wrong.

After taking a steady beating from Senate Democrats today, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.-S.C.) offered an apology to Alito. (Read the full transcript.)

"Judge Alito, I am sorry that you've had to go through this," Graham said. "I am sorry that your family has had to sit here and listen to this."

Alito's wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner, at this point had begun to choke up. She exited the hearing room and returned after a break holding her husband's hand.

But, according to the AP's account, it was a comment Graham made moments earlier that triggered Bomgardner's emotions.

"And really what I would look at to believe you're not -- and I'm going to be very honest with you -- is: How have you lived your life? Are you really a closet bigot?" Graham asked rhetorically.

The AP story reports:

"Martha-Ann Bomgardner, who had sat behind her husband for hours of questioning  over several days, left as her husband was being questioned by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

"'Are you really a closet bigot?' Graham asked Alito. The nominee said no, and Graham said, "No sir, you’re not."

Commenting on the AP story, Coalition for a Fair Judiciary President Kay Daly said: “Mrs. Alito has shown grace under pressure after months of abuse at the hands of well-funded, left wing organizations and their Democratic minions on the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Kay Daly. For the Associated Press to misrepresent these events in an attempt to smear Republican Senator Lindsey Graham sets a new low in the already subterranean level of journalistic standards on display in Judge Alito’s confirmation process.”

Mr. Bluey is editor of Human Events Online.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 109th; alito; alitohearings; lyinglegacymedia; senatedems
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To: SmithL

Evidently the message has been received. WABC radio stated only that Mrs. Alito broke into tears following constant attacks on her husband. No mention at all of Graham.


81 posted on 01/11/2006 8:27:34 PM PST by OldFriend (The Dems enABLEd DANGER and 3,000 Americans died.)
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To: CedarDave
You deny that Graham and McCain are grandstanders? You aren't watching the same Sunday talk shows that I do.

the talk shows have nothing to do with the hearings. You are still and ass.

82 posted on 01/11/2006 8:28:27 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: Williams
You are assuming that the demonrats have ball$?

They are spawn of the devil without soul or gender....IMO

83 posted on 01/11/2006 8:29:09 PM PST by OldFriend (The Dems enABLEd DANGER and 3,000 Americans died.)
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To: Kaslin
Do you honestly believe that if he was attacking the nominee he would have continued with "no you're not"? I don't think so.

Of course he wasn't attacking Alito. However it was his choice of words BEFORE "no you're not" that made it appear he was, just for a few tension-filled seconds. His use of that dramatic technique followed by praise brought forth Mrs. Alito's tears. Lindsey was grandstanding by doing what he did, no matter his intentions. And the lying MSM will take any opportunity to take a quote out of context with the result being the deliberate confusion presented by the media.

84 posted on 01/11/2006 8:32:25 PM PST by CedarDave
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To: CedarDave

Ted Kennedy did more today to help Alito's cause than any Republican, to date. The very images of Alito's wife crying behind her husband after he was called a racist, bigot and homophobe by Kennedy would sway any woman in favor of the judge, IMHO.


85 posted on 01/11/2006 8:34:03 PM PST by WillT
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To: rahbert
Lindsey Graham is an idiot. He should have thought about the consequences of his ill-concieved remarks before letting fly. I applaud Graham's attempt to apologize for what our government has become - a theater for self grandiose. Of course, on the other hand, you may want to explain your defense of Senators Kennedy, Schumer etc. If not, then remember back to how your parents raised you. Graham's apology was appropriate, because he is one of the GROUP, even though he was a pubbie and the skanks were RATs.
86 posted on 01/11/2006 8:35:22 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: mystery-ak
I agree completely with your assessment of why Mrs. Sam cried.

Just a look at her face crumpling and I began to cry. I still have a lump in my throat all these hours later.

87 posted on 01/11/2006 8:36:03 PM PST by OldFriend (The Dems enABLEd DANGER and 3,000 Americans died.)
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To: neodad
Aren't we all glad that it's not Harriet Miers up there?

Amen!

88 posted on 01/11/2006 8:36:59 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: Go Gordon

Your name-calling comment shows I'm in good company then.


89 posted on 01/11/2006 8:37:40 PM PST by CedarDave
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To: A CA Guy
While Kennedy was grilling her husband I believe she was looking at a picture of Mary Jo Kopechne and the irony of a murderer riding judgment over her husband just kind of got to her.

What if Alito would have said: "Senator, you've asked for my personal views on so many issues. Why haven't you asked me whether YOU were guilty of murder?"

90 posted on 01/11/2006 8:39:35 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: SmithL

That sound bite, attributing Graham to being derogatory, was on the evening network news.


91 posted on 01/11/2006 8:39:46 PM PST by freema (Proud Marine Mom, Aunt, Sister, Friend, Wife, Daughter, Niece)
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To: WillT

Fat Ted is the only sub-human that actually makes Kerry look smart. The fact they are both senators from MA is not a coincidence.


92 posted on 01/11/2006 8:40:20 PM PST by quantim (If the Constitution were perfect it wouldn't have included the Senate.)
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To: kentj
"Judge Alito, did you ever get drunk and drive your car into the river and forget you had a date until the next morning?"

AWESOME!!!

93 posted on 01/11/2006 8:41:10 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: freema

Anyone who was watching the hearings and has a brain knows that Mrs. Alito's exasperation was caused by the Dems, not Graham. He probably pulled out her pent-up emotions.


94 posted on 01/11/2006 8:42:33 PM PST by WillT
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To: varmintxer
Alito may have been thinking, is he friend or foe? Not too smart for the Goober.

Alito kept his composure, as he was required to do. The tension followed by relief was too much for his wife who had to listen to the attacks on her husband through out the day.

95 posted on 01/11/2006 8:43:22 PM PST by CedarDave
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To: Jeff Chandler

Good grief, Graham was apologizing for the way the dimocrats had treated Alito.


96 posted on 01/11/2006 8:43:58 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: CedarDave
Your name-calling comment shows I'm in good company then.

With the Democrats? Congratulations...

97 posted on 01/11/2006 8:44:35 PM PST by Go Gordon (I don't know what your problem is, but I bet its hard to pronounce)
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To: YaYa123
I can't believe AP intentionally tried to blame Lindsey for Mrs. Alito's breakdown

Believe it. They're that dishonest.

98 posted on 01/11/2006 8:49:16 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (Peace Begins in the Womb)
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To: WillT
Ted Kennedy did more today to help Alito's cause than any Republican, to date. The very images of Alito's wife crying behind her husband after he was called a racist, bigot and homophobe by Kennedy would sway any woman in favor of the judge, IMHO.

No disagreement here, no matter what finally triggered her tears.

99 posted on 01/11/2006 8:49:25 PM PST by CedarDave
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To: OldFriend
Just a look at her face crumpling and I began to cry. I still have a lump in my throat all these hours later.

People like you are easy to love.

100 posted on 01/11/2006 8:51:03 PM PST by CAWats (And I will make no distinction between the terrorists and the democrats.)
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