NATIONAL REVIEW; “Waiting on Fred” Aug 27 2007 The Supreme Court, and judicial issues in general, are Thompson’s strong suit. Not only does he have the background-the Watergate investigation, the Senate Judiciary Committee, private practice, and the job of guiding John Roberts through his confirmation hearings-he also knows the conservative legal stars who would likely be candidates for the Court in coming years. But he won’t name names, beyond the men already there, “I like Roberts and Alito and Scalia and Thomas” he tells me. “We’re in a heck of a lot better shape because of Roberts and Alito, and one more gain would put us in even better shape.” Should he become president, Thompson would undoubtedly try to nominate that elusive fifth conservative.
Wendy Long endorsed Mitt Romney and became his senior legal advisor and vice chair of his National Faith and Values Steering Committee, a move that some have called “a political coup” because the conventional wisdom was that she would endorse Fred Thompson.
She explains why she chose Mitt instead:
She candidly acknowledges that she always liked Fred Thompson, in part because his support of causes like Scooter Libby “warmed her heart,” but ultimately concluded that Thompson could “not hold a candle to the Governor on intellect or leadership.”
Long also explains that leadership “matters tremendously” in selecting a president. For her this includes “the ability to direct the many and far flung team” that a president needs to confirm judges and lead the Justice Department. She cites Romney’s experience in business and running the Olympics and as Governor as proof he can “lead a large organization and then delegate” to competent managers.
Long argues that Romney “is the only one I’m absolutely sure” will give us more nominees like Justices Alito and Roberts.
Long is an articulate spokesperson both to bolster Romney’s conservative credentials and to take aim at Thompson, the opponent who clearly will pose a threat to his efforts to woo social conservatives.
“Our country faces a new generation of challenges, which has presented our courts with a new generation of legal issues. As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney witnessed firsthand the impact our courts can have when facing these new challenges. I believe that he, better than any other candidate for President, understands the need for our courts to respect democracy and the will of the people. I believe that he, better than any other candidate for President, would nominate judges and justices of the highest caliber, who would be faithful to the text, history, and principles of our Constitution. I look forward to working with the Governor.”
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=11799
It sounds like Romney and Thompson have similar views on their desired make up of the Supreme Court. May the best one win.