Note from Fred Thompson (Sotomayor)

email-Fred08 | july, 12, 2009 | fred thompson

[envisio]

()

 

 www.fredpac.com 
 info@fredpac.com 

 

TO:                  FredPAC Supporters

FROM:            Fred Thompson

It is expected that Senators will say that they want to wait and see what Judge Sotomayor will say at her confirmation hearing before they decide how they will vote.

This is understandable, I suppose, but from my experience, what a nominee says during his or her hearing, while certainly not irrelevant, is one of the least important considerations upon which they should base their vote. Nominee’s judicial and professional record, along with their public statements and reputation for integrity, are much more reliable indicators as to the kind of judge they will be. Our Founding Father recognized this early on, and it is the main reason confirmation hearings were not held on a regular basis until the 1950s.

There are two things that work against any substantive new information being revealed in a confirmation hearing.    

First a nominee can and should refuse to go very far in giving their opinion regarding any legal issue that might come before the Supreme Court in the future. That, of course, covers most any legal issue     

Second, in 1990 the distinguished jurist, Robert Bork, refused to subject himself to the usual dog and pony Q and A, “how to handle the senators” sessions now given to nominees in preparation for their hearings, the so-called "murder board."  During the hearings he engaged in an open and candid dialogue with regard to his judicial philosophy. We know how that turned out. The odds are great that never again will a nominee make the mistake of committing candor.      

For some time now everyone has understood the name of the game: Take as much off the table as possible as inappropriate for discussion. Then, dance around the rest. When you get a question that you're expected to answer, try to sound as knowledgeable as possible, but play for time and never say anything committee members would find objectionable.          

So the process is basically for the purpose of giving the nominee the opportunity to commit a gaffe of other unforced error. Then the nominee may be denied confirmation, not so much for their lack of qualifications or even their judicial philosophy, but for their not being clever of artful enough to win the game.

I would suggest that for a person to be judged on the basis of a few days of practiced, self-serving comments iand obfuscation, instead  of their entire life and record is absurd. And to think that their service on the Supreme Court would be consistent with their statements before a committee they will likely never sit before again, instead of their record is inconsistent with both logic and experience.      
                                                                                         
That's what we'll be talking about today on the Fred Thompson Show. Hope you'll join in..  For a list of stations carrying the Fred Thompson Show, click here:  http://fredthompsonshow.com/stationfinder

Please contribute to FredPAC.  Your support makes all the difference in electing solid conservatives.  https://www.fredpac.com/contribute.php

                                                                                  
Unsubscribe me from this contact list

Paid for by Fred Thompson Political Action Committee (FredPAC), 10332 Main Street #364, Fairfax, VA 22030 and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.  Contributions or gifts to Fred Thompson Political Action Committee are not tax deductible. 

[stuartcr]

I wonder what things would be like now, if he had been elected?

[the anti-liberal]

"I wonder what things would be like now, if he had been elected?"

Economically stable. Islam on the lam. Strong relations with allies. Etcetera.

[stuartcr]

That would be great.

[SlowBoat407]

He needed to wake up, first. I liked what he had to say, but his campaign was ennervating.

[stuartcr]

Yeah, he probably would have gotten my vote.

[SlowBoat407]

I was mad that he didn’t even make it to the Va. primaries. We need to fix the primary system first. It’s ludicrous that Iowa and New Hampshire get to decide who runs for president.

[the anti-liberal]

I was mostly frustrated with the way the MSM portrayed (or didn’t) him. They had made up their minds on 0 and McCain early on.

[jeffc]

I miss Fred.

[stuartcr]

I agree.

[ImpBill]

We need to scuttle the current primary system all together.

Primaries should all occur on the same day, as is with the case of the general election and no more than 60 days out from the general election.

Of course that isn't going to happen, so I will add to my wish list the disbanding and outlawing of all political parties.

Let individuals run. We have never needed political parties and the two that currently have the Republic by the throat have no interest other than their own perpetuation and dominance. Republic be damned.

Getting rid of political parties is the first step into taking back our Republic.

[redhead]

"He needed to wake up, first. I liked what he had to say, but his campaign was ennervating."

True. I always felt like I was trying to run in a dream when I thought of his campaign. Slow, flat, lackluster. Even McCain's pre-Palin campaign had more energy, and that's saying a lot.

[mdwakeup]

Second, in 1990 the distinguished jurist, Robert Bork, refused to subject himself to the usual dog and pony Q and A, “how to handle the senators” sessions now given to nominees in preparation for their hearings, the so-called "murder board."

Since Bork was nominated in July 1987, it's not clear whether doing the "murder board" in 1990 would have helped much.

[geologist]

Fred did not have a fire in the belly approach to running. He was convinced to enter by the need for a actual conservative. His health was potentially a serious concern.

Glad to see he is doing well. I would like to see him have a larger position in the Republican future.

[envisio]

Can you access that “list of radio stations” and post it? Thanks
My browser has it blocked....

[envisio]

His campaign for Senator with the pickup truck was very successful. Especially in the heartland.
He mentioned several reasons why he decided not to revive the pickup truck campaign. (may be seen as “one-lined”..... may not go ever well with uppidy types..... may be seen as a gimmick)
I wish he had done more to get to more people.

[clamper1797]

If it had not been for the Mittwits and the Shuckabee dupes we might have had President Thompson and a whole lot safer and healthier country

[stuartcr]

Well, that’s something we’ll neve know. I figure it just wasn’t in God’s plan.

[clamper1797]

That’s all that comforts me presently ... that all this must be God’s plan ... albeit one that is not understandable by mere mortals ... it certainly is beyond my comprehension

[stuartcr]

It comforts me constantly. Besides, my understanding or not, really won’t make a difference.