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.
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.
the talk shows have nothing to do with the hearings. You are still and ass.
They are spawn of the devil without soul or gender....IMO
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.
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.
Just a look at her face crumpling and I began to cry. I still have a lump in my throat all these hours later.
Amen!
Your name-calling comment shows I'm in good company then.
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?"
That sound bite, attributing Graham to being derogatory, was on the evening network news.
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.
AWESOME!!!
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.
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.
Good grief, Graham was apologizing for the way the dimocrats had treated Alito.
With the Democrats? Congratulations...
Believe it. They're that dishonest.
No disagreement here, no matter what finally triggered her tears.
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