Glum Democrats Can't See Halting Bush on Courts

The New York Times ^ | 1/15/06 | ADAM NAGOURNEY, RICHARD W. STEVENSON and NEIL A. LEWIS

[LdSentinal]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 - Disheartened by the administration's success with the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., Democratic leaders say that President Bush is putting an enduring conservative ideological imprint on the nation's judiciary, and that they see little hope of holding off the tide without winning back control of the Senate or the White House.

In interviews, Democrats said the lesson of the Alito hearings was that this White House could put on the bench almost any qualified candidate, even one whom Democrats consider to be ideologically out of step with the country.

That conclusion amounts to a repudiation of a central part of a strategy Senate Democrats settled on years ago in a private retreat where they discussed how to fight a Bush White House effort to recast the judiciary: to argue against otherwise qualified candidates by saying they would take the courts too far to the right.

Even though Democrats thought from the beginning that they had little hope of defeating the nomination, they were dismayed that a nominee with such clear conservative views - in particular a written record of opposition to abortion rights - appeared to be stirring little opposition.

Republicans say that Mr. Bush, in making conservative judicial choices, has been doing precisely what he said he would do in both of his presidential campaigns. Indeed, they say, his re-election, and the election of a Republican Congress, meant that the choices reflected the views of much of the American public.

[RWR8189]

The New York Times is deeply saddened.

[decal]

And it's only January.

What will these Prog apologists be saying in early November?

[saganite]

It must be killing the NYT to admit that Bush has the prerogative to select conservative nominees and get them approved.

[SandRat]

They think this is going to leave an imprint? Wait until he gets to appoint one more.

[Trajan88]

cry me a river... not.

[HonduGOP]

And by late fall Ginsburg and Stevens will be retiring. Then we'll talk about major depression in the Dem party

[Paradox]

they were dismayed that a nominee with such clear conservative views - in particular a written record of opposition to abortion rights - appeared to be stirring little opposition.

Proof, once again, that the Democrats are out of touch with REAL America. Most Americans probably agree more with Alito than they do with the DNC. The Democrats simply refuse to believe that, they blame it on their inability to effectively communicate "their message". What they don't realize is that there message is broadcast every day, loud and clear, the American people just dont agree with most of it.

[goodnesswins]

OH, PLEASSSSEEEEE....(two more nominations during Bushs term!!!!)

[Jeff Chandler]

And by late fall Ginsburg and Stevens will be retiring.

So Harriet Meiers will get another chance?

[Polybius]

Disheartened by the administration's success with the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., Democratic leaders say that President Bush is putting an enduring conservative ideological imprint on the nation's judiciary, and that they see little hope of holding off the tide without winning back control of the Senate or the White House.

How about that. The Constitution is working as it was designed to work.

[highlander_UW]

In interviews, Democrats said the lesson of the Alito hearings was that this White House could put on the bench almost any qualified candidate, even one whom Democrats consider to be ideologically out of step with the country.

What they fail to grasp is that he isn't ideologically out of step with the country...they are.

[A.Hun]

"George Bush won the election," said Representative Rahm Emanuel, an Illinois Democrat. "If you don't like it, you better win elections."

Duh..and at the rate the Dumbocrats are going, that will be a long time from now.

[supercat]

Republicans say that Mr. Bush...

"Mister" Bush?

[CAWats]

In interviews, Democrats said the lesson of the Alito hearings was that this White House could put on the bench almost any qualified candidate, even one whom Democrats consider to be ideologically out of step with the country.

They are NOT out of step with the country! The Dims don't get it.

[DarthVader]

When Democrats and the NY Slimes are deeply saddened.

We here on Free Republic are deeply gladdened.

[goodnesswins]

Yes, they are "ideologically out of step with the country" (the Dems), however, I think they DO know it....BUT....if they admitted it, they'd have to admit FAILURE for the past 50 years......they oldies (Kennedy et al) are going to hold on till their last breath.....to their POWER.....the country be damned.

[VeniVidiVici]

I saw some Dim propaganda today that mentioned that 7 out of the 9 justices were put on the Supreme Court by Republicans.

That's a nice soundbite for the illiterate side of the party.

[Pistolshot]

What they fail to grasp is that he isn't ideologically out of step with the country...they are.

DING!!!! DING!!!!! WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!

[Buck W.]

"In interviews, Democrats said the lesson of the Alito hearings was that this White House could put on the bench almost any qualified candidate,..."

This statement deserves to be repeated. The dems are opposed to qualified candidates.